No nonsurgical solution will help

Christopher L. Hess, 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!


Christopher L. Hess, MD
11 months ago
By Christopher L. Hess, MD - Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

The photograph indicates that your surgeon performed a mini abdominoplasty.  This removes only the portion of tissue below the belly button.  All belly buttons are located in essentially the same place and your surgeons explanation that it was "too high" is concerning.  I often perform this surgery with full abdominal liposuction when there is not enough skin/fat to be removed.  However, I explain that there may be an excess of skin in the upper umbilical, belly button, region.  Some of this excess skin can be remove with a superior belly button cresent excision but it's not perfect.  A second possiblity is a full abdominoplasty but likely you will end up with a long transverse scar and a short vertical scar (from inferior movement of the umbilicus incision). 

 

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