Mini Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

Dog Ears, Side Rolls, and Bulge After Mini Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

I had Liposuction and mini Tummy Tuck a year ago. I now have "dog ears" at the ends of the incisions, and when I sit I get rolls on the my sides near the incisions. I spoke to my doctor about this and he has said that he would have to cut farther around to fix it. Does this seem right? Is this normal with a mini tummy tuck? I also have the buldge that I have read other women get when the upper muscles were not tightened. Is there a way to fix this without having to go through another Tummy Tuck?

Tags:

dog ears options

Comment on this

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Fix me in Pueblo, CO

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

This is the best way

Unfortunately, you have something that happens with a mini tummy tuck in some patients. When you try to compromise with the lesser procedure in a patient who would get a better result with the full tummy tuck you have to either accept the lesser result or move on to the full procedure. So what do you do now? You can try some liposuctioning which will probably help a little but the ultimate correction would be to convert to a full tummy tuck. The desire to limit the surgery and the scars... more

Mini or full tummy tuck?

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately you have experience some the downsides of the mini tummy tuck surgery. Generally speaking, the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present consultation. For example, the area of skin excised is quite small. The abdominal wall... more

Dog ears

You possibly needed a full tummy tuck that is why a mini- tummy tuck is often not the best option. speak with you doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You might also like...

Real Stories

IN OFFICE Mini Tummy Tuck - Sayre, PA

First of all... I've lost a little over 100 pounds on my own in about 11 months. I've...

Before + After Photos

View 164 Mini Tummy Tuck photos

Dissatisfied with mini tummy tuck: Mini tummy tuck does not mean mini incision

The popularity of the mini tummy tuck results in many patients selecting this when a tummy tuck would be a better choice. A mini tummy tuck does not mean a mini incision.

"Dog Ears" and Upper Tummy Bulge after a MINI-Tummy Tuck. Solution?

Regarding: "Dog Ears, Side Rolls, and Bulge After Mini Tummy Tuck and Liposuction I had Liposuction and mini Tummy Tuck a year ago. I now have "dog ears" at the ends of the incisions, and when I sit I get rolls on the my sides near the incisions. I spoke to my doctor about this and he has said that he would have to cut farther around to fix it. Does this seem right? Is this normal with a mini tummy tuck? I also have the buldge that I have read other women get when the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Dog ears after a tummy tuck.

From your description, it sounds like you have two different issues. For the most part, dog ears are easily removed under local anesthetic. This is common and the fix requires a quick, outpatient procedure under local anesthetic. Yes, the scar is extended somewhat, but this is very acceptable and patients are usually very pleased with this revision. Regarding that bulge: if it is really due to laxity above your belly button, then a revision of your tummy tuck may be... more

Correction of dog ears after tummy tuck

The appearance of dog ears after a tummy tuck can easily be fixed. Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a great deal of experience with tummy tucks, liposuction and scar revision. Such a surgeon will be able to review your options with you in determining if you may benefit from a small corrective surgery to remove the extra skin or from liposuction to this area to recontour the hips and then address the extra skin. see video

Partial correction is possible

In any tummy tuck (mini or major) there is always a chance that the outer sides will have both extra skin and fat, otherwise known as "dog ears". In attempting to address these, I usually liposuction the fullness and extend the skin resection, at the time of the initial surgery. If the patient is still dissatisfied with the lateral "dog ear", a local anesthetic procedure can be done post op. On the other hand, the bulge you describe (I suspect above the umbilicus) does... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Probably not

These are some of the disadvantages of a mini-tummy tuck and it sounds like you may need to undergo a full abdominoplasty with a longer incision as your surgeon recommended, to correct them.

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.