I hope your laser treatments are at no charge

Kenneth R. Francis, MD answers: Loose and saggy upper abdomen post-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!


Kenneth R. Francis, MD
11 months ago
By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Dear Sioux,

You are far from overweight.  The two pieces of information you have left out are your age and whether or not you had full term pregnancies.  If you are over 50 or have had pregnancies it is highly unlikely that your skin is going to contract even with the laser treatments.  Also, if either of these is the case, it is difficult to understand why your surgeon only did a mini abdominoplasty.  Did you restrict him/her in any way, e.g. "I don't want a long scar" or "I don't want a scar around my belly button"?  That is the only reason that I could see for not doing a full abdominoplasty.  If you do go back for a revision surgery it will likely require a longer scar and either a lowering of, or a scar around, your belly button.  Good luck!

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More answers to “Loose and saggy upper abdomen post-Tummy Tuck”

A: You did not have a "full" tummy tuck.

George J. Beraka, MD
11 months ago
By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To siouxmac,

Hi.   Your surgeon may have had good reasons for limiting the surgery to the lower abdomen.   But you cannot tighten the skin of the upper abdomen while leaving the belly button undisturbed.

I have had a couple of patients who only wanted a lower   (or "mini")  abdominoplasty  (shorter scar, quicker recovery, etc.).   They ended up looking somewhat like you.   I had to reoperate and do a real full abdominoplasty on these patients.

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A: Straighten out the belly button as well with a full tummy tuck

Robert M. Freund, MD
10 months ago
By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

I agree with what everyone else has said, the mini-tuck is only for excess skin below the belly button.

In order to get adequate pull on the upper abdomen, you must perform an umbilical float (never enough) or a full tummy tuck.

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A: Need a full Tummy Tuck

Steven Wallach, MD
9 months ago
By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Loose skin above the umbilicus requires a full tummy tuck. Skin tightening with lasers wil give about 15-20% improvement, so best for patients with very mild sagging.

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