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Fixing Previous Tummy Tuck Results and Post-pregnancy Belly

asked 3 years ago by blazindixie in Florence, South Carolina
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 2,108 times
Tags: 2 years post-op, pregnancy

I had a full Tummy Tuck about 2 years ago, 9 months after I had twins via C-section. I was very unhappy with my results, because from the belly button down, it was really tight, but the area above my belly button still protruded with a diastasis. It also looked weird, especially after I ate. My plastic surgeon said he couldn't fix it.

Anyways, I am now 23 weeks pregnant again, and I'm hoping that it will loosen up my lower muscles to "match" the laxity of my upper abdominals. After this baby, I'm going to having a tubal ligation, and I want a "pretty" stomach. What are my options for addressing these Is it possible to just pull down any loose skin and make a "real" looking belly button?

16 answers to Fixing Previous Tummy Tuck Results and Post-pregnancy Belly

There's hope if you choose the right surgeon

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Usually we sort of hate to see the result of a good abdominoplasty come undone but in your case maybe not so much since you were dissatisfied anyway. Secondary abdominoplasty can be a very challenging procedure so I would suggest that you find a plastic surgeon who has a special interest and experience with this. The issue is not so much whether the muscles have spread again, but whether the skin stretches out enough to basically re-do the whole procedure.... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Your case should be do-able, but...

Hello, It would have been better if you hadn't become pregnant after your tummy tuck, but maybe you did not know this. Having had surgery before your pregnancy will likely stretch things out to the point where additional muscular repair may not "stick" so well. I would wait until decide you have finished childbearing and get a copy of the operative note your first tummy tuck surgeon produced at surgery and take it with you to consultation as you evaluate your options.... more

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Probably possible

It might be possible to do as you describe for your previous results and post-pregnancy belly, but it might also require an additional lower midline vertical scar.

Bruce K. Barach, MD
Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

Your situation is fixable.

Blazindixie, It is hard to tell for sure without examining you. However, what you describe is not uncommon. I often have patients come in for consultation who have had abdominoplasty done elsewhere who have similar complaints to yours. In many cases they actually had a "mini-abdominoplasty" which did not address their upper abdomen, but made their lower abdomen very tight - giving the strange look you are experiencing. After your delivery, at the time of your tubal ligation, it... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Examination necessary

Hi there- In order to make a recommendation or discuss what might be possible, it would really be necessary to examine you- it sounds like you either had some form of a limited tummy tuck (like a mini-tummy tuck) or that your muscle repair above your belly button loosened somehow. I would wait until you are at least 6 months post partum from the current pregnancy, and then go see your surgeon again. After a careful exam, it may be that a revision will achieve your goals. Revision of... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

You should be able to get improvements from a redo tummy tuck

Given the fact that you have had 2 pregnancies after a tummy tuck, you should be able to get substantial improvement with a redo tummy tuck. It should be a full procedure so the upper abdominal fascia gets tightened. The results of the belly button depends on how you do it and some amount of luck.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Revision of Mommy Make Over

I can think of three likely scenarios to result in what you describe: tight lower abdomen but bulging upper abdomen. This usually happens by either performing a "mini tummy tuck" that is only tightening the area just below the umbilicus or else disproportional tightening the lower abdominal muscles more than the upper ones, or a dehiscence (repair came apart) on the upper abdomen. When the lower abdominal muscles are tightened this displaces the abdominal... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck revision is possible

You should seek the opinion of surgeons other than your initial surgeon, who didn't think he could improve upon your results. There may indeed be options for you, but the best approach won't be known until after this baby arrives and your body has had a chance to recover from the pregnancy for a few months. A repeat tummy tuck is possible, with re-tightening of the muscles. Good luck!

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

2nd Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

Although it is typically recommended to wait until you are done having children before undergoing a tummy tuck, additional pregnancies do happen. If you plan to have any more children, I would recommend waiting before having another. Pregnancy can significantly alter tummy tuck results so I would advise waiting 6 months to 1 year before consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon. This will give the tissues a chance to return to "normal". If you undergo a tummy tuck... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck revisionary surgery

Congratulations! Once you have decided that you are done having children and completed your tubaligation procedure, consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the best and safest possible options for you. Pregnancy can affect results of your previous surgery, so depending on what you would need to have done, you may need a full tummy tuck procedure done again resulting in a full recovery of 4 weeks. For more information regarding mommy makeover procedures, please check... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Fixing a tummy tuck after pregnancy

Tummy tucks are extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. As you have experienced, it is possible to have a successful pregnancy after a tummy tuck. Sometimes, pregnancy can change the appearance of your tummy tucked result. In your case, your pregnancy may stretch out the bottom half of your abdomen but it is not predictable how much it will do so or if it will balance the upper abdomen. After your pregnancy, you will most likely benefit from a revision of the tummy... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck redo

First, I would just concentrate now on a successful pregnancy. After that, you should wait a good 6 months to 1 year to allow for the tissues to settle down and the baby fat to come off before entertaining a redo tummy tuck. If you are also planning to have more kids, I would wait until after that.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like your abdomen is getting beaten up!

It sounds like regardless of which part of your abdomen is stretched or tight, additional procedures can certainly rejuvenate yor abdomen. As with all of my prospective tummy tuck patients, It is advisable that this be the last time. Surgery is something that we try to perform as little as possible on any one person.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck redo revision is possible

I believe that a tummy tuck revisions is possible. In regards to your belly button that is more difficult to say. Twin pregnancies are devastating to the abodminal wall causing umbilical hernia like conditions ("outie") that can be difficult to correct. As has been previously suggested, obtain a copy of your operative report. A full tummy tuck may mean different things to differentl surgeons. The knowledge of your previous technique may benefit you and the next surgeon. I have had... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Fixable but...

There are several reasons why you had residual upper abdominal fullness. Regardless, the abdomen can be fixed after your next pregnancy. See a board certified plastic surgeon at least a year after the birth for evaluation. You may need a combination of liposuction, skin excision and muscle tightening. Congratulations!

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

You'll need a full redo tummy tuck

After your pregnancy you should see another plastic surgeon than your first one and ask to be evaluated. Your first surgery shouldn't have left you with a loose upper abdomen and tight lower abdomen if done well. Maybe your tissues are weak but if they aren't, you should be able to get a better result but will need to redo the whole procedure unfortunately.