Had Full TT But Only Fat Below the Belly Button Was Removed, Is This Normal? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by Mistysmom in Rocklin, CA
Latest answer by Lisa L. Sowder, MD
Question viewed 339 times
Tags: belly button, 7 months post-op, fat reduction, normal, spare tire

I had a full tummy tuck 7 months ago. I am happy with everything below the incision but above the belly button I still have all the fat I had before. A huge spare tire. My surgeon said that it would be a separate and additional surgery to remove fat (liposuction) above the belly button and below the breast. My understanding of an adominoplasty was that all the areas of the front of the stomach are treated not just below the belly button. Am I wrong?

8 answers to Had Full TT But Only Fat Below the Belly Button Was Removed, Is This Normal? (photo)

Fat remains after tummy tuck

Most doctors will not do radical fat removal during a tummy tuck because it may increase the risk of wound complications, blood clots, etc. In cases where there is a large amount of fat present, it may be safer to perform the sculpting at a later session.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Looks like some fat was left behind

There are three component to most "tummy tuck" procedures - fat, skin, and tightening muscle. It looks as if the skin was removed, and I suspect that the muscle was tightend, but some fat looks like it was left behind. Liposuction at the time of tummy tuck is done by some, but not all plastic surgeons, because of a concern for skin loss, wound healing problems, and blood clots whcih have been associated with the combination of these two... more

Daniel Sherick, MD
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

www.cprs-aa.com

Tummy Tuck Results?

Thank you for the question and pictures. It is very likely that your plastic surgeon was hesitant to form more liposuction of the upper abdominal wall because of concerns of disruption of blood flow and potential for problems with wound healing. These concerns may necessitate a two-stage approach wherein a 2nd phase liposuction procedure is performed. Assuming your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon I would suggest continued... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Lipoabdominoplasty vs. Full Abdominoplasty

You are correct that a full abdominoplasty will go all the way up to the rib cage. However, the fat that existed above the belly button before surgery cannot be excessively romoved during the standard abdominoplasty without the risk of inturrupting the blood supply to the skin. The options are to limit the amount of undermining of the upper skin flap and perform liposuction of the upper abdomen (lipoabdominoplasty) or to undermine much wider and perform liposuction at a later... more

Martin O'Toole, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck - Had Full TT But Only Fat Below the Belly Button Was Removed, Is This Normal?

You may have had more done than you think, even if it's still not the result you expected. In general, a full tummy tuck (which it appears that you had, since there is a scar around your belly button) involves the removal of skin and fat of the abdomen. Normally, the skin is lifted up all the way to the ribs, pulled down like a window shade and then the excess is removed (these are the basics of the procedure; there are many variants and additional procedures that can be... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Concurrent liposuction with tummy tuck is not agreed on by all plastic surgeons

Hello, Your before photo would help, but it does appear that liposuction of the abdominal area and flanks was either not performed or performed insufficiently. With that said there is some disagreement among plastic surgeons about doing liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck. I think more and more are realizing that when performed properly it is a safe and effective part of a tummy tuck. I routinely peform liposuction with all tummy tuck procedures that benefit... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Various Options to Treat the Upper Abdomen

There are two schools of thought when it comes to abdominoplasty. The more traditional route is to do the abdominoplasty with skin removal and abdominal wall plication first, followed by secondary liposuction to improve the upper contour. This is thought to decrease wound healing complications. The other option is to perform more limited undermining with more aggressive liposuction. It seems as though your surgeon fell into the more traditional school. Good Luck!

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck results

Some fat from the upper abdomen is removed but it's not much. The blood supply of the skin is very important in healing after tummy tuck and therefore direct removal or lipo is limited in that area. Liposuction after 7 months is likely safe and should help your contour. Now for the tough question. What is your weight compared to your pre-tummy tuck weight? If it is the same, you have actually gained some fat and since the lower abdominal fat pad is gone,... more