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Had a Full Tummy Tuck, W Muscle Repair, & Flank Lipo, Breast Lift and Aug 375cc, 1 Year Ago. Unsure of My Results? (photo)

I'm a fit, trim, athletic 44 yr. old mom of 4. 5'5''133 lbs since age 18. I exercise daily & eat healthfully, I had these procedures to boost my self esteem. Now I look in the mirror and cry as before surgery. I have a pooch, indentation on my hip, love handles, jiggly abdominal fat, a resolved hematoma on my llower ab appears to have a bulge and higher scar, waist/hip measurements are same as pre-surgery My Board Cert PS says lipo will resolve pooch. What do you think? I waited 26 yrs. for this : (

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age 35-44 indentation love handles 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in muscle repair 130-149 lbs lift pooch

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by hope06

Doctor Answers (10)
Community Comments (3)

Very fixable result

With full abdominoplasties, there is often a choice between a higher incision versus a lower scar with a vertical closure of the umbilical defect. In this situation, the umbilicus is appropriately positioned and the contour of the upper abdomen appears quite acceptable (at least by the photos provided). In this situation for a higher incision with shelving and fullness centrally, I would advance the skin flap lowering the incision and perform a thinning procedure with direct... more

Frustrated after mommy makeover

I am sorry you are unhappy after undergoing a MM. Its very easy for surgeons to look at before and after photos and criticize the results. Its not unusual to look back and see things that perhaps could have been done differently, even by the surgeon who did the work. Without examining you, its difficult to say whether lipo alone would be the best option, or completely redoing the TT. I would suggest get second or third opinions from a board certified plastic surgeon in your area. more

Paul Wigoda, MD

5 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

drwigoda.com

Unsure of My Results?

Thank you for your question and for the attached photos. Although there is improvement, there is margin for considerably more. My suggestion would be re-elevate the lower part of the TT (below the navel) and to stretch out the skin and fat in order to make the scar lower. This I believe, with give more improvement than liposuction which would not address both abdominal issues. In addition, it may be that more muscle tightening can be done, something... more

Had a Full Tummy Tuck, W Muscle Repair, & Flank Lipo, Breast Lift and Aug 375cc, 1 Year Ago. Unsure of My Results?

You are ready for scar revision of the "pooch" area. Seek in person evaluations from your surgeon or another boarded PSs

Revision surgery

I think that an exam in person is critical to properly evaluate you. You certainly have a significant improvement from your pre-op appearance. You may benefit from liposuction or revision abdominoplasty.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Revision Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Although I think you definitely look better than before surgery, there is residual fat that could be liposuctioned and the tummy tuck scar could be lowered and make you flatter at the same time. I would go back to your original surgeon, as he or she will likely give you a discount on the procedure. If you desire someone else, find the board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs mommy makeovers hundreds of times each year... more

Weight Gain?

Liposuction would definately help improve your result. You also have to consider if you have gained extra and intra-abdominal weight. As women near menopause, hormonal changes cause intra-abdominal weight gain with loss of weight definition. All of these issues may have had an impact on your current situation. Seek further consultation.

Don't cry!

Hi Hope, thank you for the post and the pics. Your result isn't perfect. But you know, NO ONE is perfect. The doctors here aren't and neither are you. However, a board certified plastic surgeon will be able to correct and improve what you have. Based on the pics, seems like the correction needed would be the following: 1. you seem to have gained a small degree of weight. Is that true? Try to lose that first. 2. A touch up lipo for the lower abdomen would... more

Full abdominoplasty revision

Hello, Thank you for the question and the photos. I think there are improvements that can and likely should be made with regards to your abdominal appearance. Your options are to fine tune your abdominal appearance through liposuction and scar revision or to re-do the entire abdominoplasty. I feel strongly that a full tummy tuck revision would provide the best result. Below is a link from a few patients that have undergone a full tummy tuck revision and shows the... more

Abdominoplasty

Your abdominoplasty scar is too high, there is some bulge in the lower abdomen, could be fat or scar from the hematoma, flnks scars need revision. You probably need also lipo of the abdomen and flanks with complete revision of the lower abdomen.

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Comments (3)

hope06 11 Feb 2013

My tummy tuck results at one yr. is not an issue of weight. My weight has been stable at 133 for 20 plus years. Also I have never been flat post-op. my hip bones, which we're visible before surgery, are hidden now...May be covered in scar tissue. My Dr. Is not saying much, I'm frustrated.

Rae1967 10 Apr 2013

Did you get any answers or resolutions? I may be going through the same thing. I am 45 and had a tummy tuck and a breast lift 2 years ago. Last summer the left part of my abdomen started to bulge and I can feel a "knot". It is so painful that I can't even walk. If I lay down it feels better and some of the swelling goes down. But I feel bloated all the time. I thought the pain was coming from my uterus or ovaries. I did have a "diseased" uterus and had to have it removed on Feb 4th of this year. I thought that was the source of my problem but it wasn't. My gynecologist said it was something in the abdominal wall and I should see my plastic surgeon. Only then did I start researching complications of a tummy tuck and found that something called a psuedobursa could be the problem. I have an appointment next week and I hope I can get this resolved. I have been living with this since last summer. It is getting worse.

hope06 17 Apr 2013

Hi Rae, My ultrasound revealed that I have no fluid. It's simply fat and scar tissue. I'm relieved! I have an appt. w my PS to discuss revision. Did u have muscle repair w your TT? If so could have a compomised repair? Let me know what your Dr. Says!

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