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Tummy Tuck Revision Cost $10,400 average cost

Tummy Tuck Revision to Fix Belly Button and Bulge?

I am 5 months post-op from Tummy Tuck, diastasis recti, and hernia repair. Not only do I look the same as I did pre-surgery, but now my belly button is disfigured, have "dog ears", large scar and pain.

I feel like my intestines push up against mesh inside and when I eat or sit I get a bulge in a 5x5 area around my belly button which hurts and burns. This surgery was done to re-build my stomach wall to help aid in supporting my very bad back. I have no stomach muscle strength.

Asked 28 months ago by pattig356 in New York
Sort 5 expert answers by:
+3

Tummy tuck issue

What you have is not normal. There are many issues here and you probably should go to a plastic surgeon (probably at a University) who does a lot of abdominal wall reconstruction. You would potentially need to redo the entire surgery to get the result you want. It is also possible that your tissues just aren't going to stay tight no matter what is done.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy Tuck Revision for belly button and bulge

I fully agree with Drs. Placik and Rand. It SOUNDS like you had a ventral hernia repair with a mesh. From your description "feel like my intestines push up against mesh inside and when I eat or sit I get a bulge in a 5x5 area around my belly button which hurts and burns", you SEEM to have a separation of your muscles AND a recurrent hernia (the 5x5 bulging area). You may want to try wearing a binder whenever upright but I would recommend you see your surgeons and see what they... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Recurrent bulge after a tummy tuck

Have you discussed this with your surgeon(s)? I am sure that this is very upsetting to you. It appears that your muscles have separated but this is an opinion based on very limited information. You may need a more complex operation called a separation of parts but It may be worth attemptinfg the muscle repair one more time. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck revision

Based on your pictures revisionary surgery or more accurately abdominal wall reconstruction is necessary. This would likely involve repair of any diastasis recti or hernia present. Further skin/adipose tissue excision of the flank and back areas may be necessary to improve contour and eliminate “dog ears". Seek consultation with a well-trained experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes and no....

Hello,   Revision is harder than the original operation. It looks like you should be able to get some improvement, but if you mean by "fix" that everything will be entirely corrected, I would say no. You need a good evaluation by a qualified surgeon to assess what has happened and what might be done to improve it. Listen before you jump into more surgery.   Best Regards,   John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon
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