I Had a Mini Tummy Tuck and Needed No Liposuction. After the Tuck It is Not As Flat As Before Why?

The tuck was done the end of June 2012. The doctor had to trim the extra flaps of skin in October. Now I don't know what to do? The front view is OK but the side view I have a pouch. The protrusion is 2 inches on either side of the belly button (which she said was a floater and she had to attach during the original surgery). The second surgery she had to remove the flaps that seemed to hang but she did not do the part I described above. Am I being a pain should I not expect a flat stomach.

Tags:

extra skin 6 months post-op without liposuction

Comment on this

3 Doctor Answers | Asked by nancym607

Doctor Answers (3)
Community Comments (2)

Tummy bulging after a mini tummy tuck

It is impossible to answer this without seeing a pre-operative photo. Oftentimes, there is improvement but not perfection. This is part of the pre-operative conversation with your surgeon. He or she should have discussed what the realistic outcome of your surgery would be. There may have been some miscommunication in which either your surgeon over promised, or perhaps you over expected. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Not As Flat As Before

Without comparable pre op photos to look at it is hard to respond to your questions. Please consider adding some to the posting. The common causes include fluid collection incomplete thinning of the abdominal skin intra-abdominal fullness breakdown of muscle repair The cause can usually be determined but requires a physical exam. It may be unreasonable to expect a flat abdomen for some patients, but it should be as flat as before surgery. Thanks,... more

Not Flat after Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Thank you for the question and picture. No, I do not think that you are being a “pain”. Unfortunately, precise advice would necessitate direct examination. However, some general thoughts may be helpful to you. If the lower abdominal wall “pouch” is related to abdominal wall muscle laxity, then additional surgery to tighten up the muscle laxity will likely achieve your goals. On the other hand, if the pouch is related to redundant skin/adipose tissue, then... more

Comments (2)

nancym607 24 Jan 2013

I thought I would add a little more information as you requested. What I know is I was a size 2 or 4 before the surgery and my pants had no bump in them but now it seems to pouch. What the surgeon said after surgery, in June 2012, was that she had reposition the belly since it was floating and she pulled down the muscle in the upper stomach. I still exercise 1 1/2 hours a day and don't know what to do to have that flatter stomach. I went back in for a touchup which involved her doing locals (several) and cutting skin from front of hip to 2 inches from belly on both sides. She cut extra skin off. When I saw her again in January she said the only thing she could do would be lipo but she did not think I should do it. My question is if she did wouldn't that make more hanging skin. I don't know what to do since I don't have more money to put into this. I am sorry to be such a pain. I just thought I would look better. She has not taken new pictures. Should I ask to see the original she took? I don't want to be critical