4/22/2026
Dr. Xiujun Fu
Am I a Candidate for Abdominoplasty? Self-Test and Professional Evaluation
Not all abdominal issues require surgery. This article teaches you how to distinguish between fat accumulation and skin laxity to find the best solution for you.
Many patients ask: “Can I just have liposuction?”
Simple Self-Test Methods
- Pinch Test: If you can pinch a large amount of loose skin, and the skin has obvious stretch marks or folds, liposuction alone will likely have limited results.
- Cough Test: Cough while standing. If you feel your abdomen protruding forward and cannot pull it back in, this usually indicates significant rectus abdominis diastasis (muscle separation).
Who is the Ideal Candidate?
- Women with severe postpartum abdominal skin laxity.
- Individuals with “apron-like” skin sagging after significant weight loss.
- Those with weakened abdominal wall muscles causing back pain or abdominal deformity.
Who Should Postpone Surgery?
- Women planning to become pregnant again in the near future.
- Individuals who are still in the process of significant weight loss and whose weight is not yet stable.