A mini-tummy tuck does not tighten the upper abdomen

S. Sean Younai, MD answers: Loose and saggy upper abdomen after Tummy Tuck

I had a full Tummy Tuck 6 months ago. After the procedure, my surgeon told me that since my belly button was 'high' to begin with, he was able to leave it intact after the Tummy Tuck. My fear is that this really translates into, "I didn't remove as much skin as I should have." I now have a taut lower abdomen, but the entire area above my navel is loose and saggy. Last week, my surgeon performed laser skin tightening on my upper abdomen (his solution). I am not at all convinced that this will remedy the problem. Is this a normal result, or am I right to have expected better? I am not overweight and I have done regular abdominal workouts both pre and post surgery. Thank you!


S. Sean Younai, MD
11 months ago
By S. Sean Younai, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

It seems that at your initial procedure you only had a mini-tummy tuck. if you did not have an incision around your umbilicus, then the upper abdomen was most likely not touched- muscle was not tightened and the excess skin was not removed.

I don't beleive that laser tightening is going to give you the same tighening of the upper abdominal skin as a full tummy tuck would have accomplished.

Unfortuantely, you might eventually have to have a full abdominoplasty and not a mini-tummy tuck.

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