What Would You Suggest I Do if I Am Unhappy (At 15 Days PO) with my Full Tummy Tuck Result?

asked 1 year ago by Gracey in USA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 825 times
Tags: abdomen, female

I consulted with 4 accredited Plastic Surgeons and each assured me that I was a "dream" tummy tuck candidate. After losing 82 pounds, I had a great deal of loose skin on my abdomen. I was always an apple shape and discussed that I wanted to have a nice waist, midriff + flat tummy. I don't have any tightness or soreness in my midriff area,and not much even in my abdomen. I have never had to walk bent over and just don't seem that tight. I was supposed to have a full TT with lipo. Suggestions?

10 answers to What Would You Suggest I Do if I Am Unhappy (At 15 Days PO) with my Full Tummy Tuck Result?

Tummy Tucks After Massive Weight Loss

An 82 pound weight loss qulifies you as massive weight loss (MWL). Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishment! I have a special interest in MWL patients and wrote the chapter on it in"Plastic Surgery For Dummies". To answer your concern directly: it is way too soon to see the final result of your TT. The swelling will take 6-9 months to go down completely. I have done lots of TT and had one myself so I know this to be true. Not walking bent... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Tummy tuck

It is too early to tell. You must another 2-4 months for the final result. Since swelling (normal) stays around for a while, it takes time for the result to take it's final shape. Another factor, is that you lost 82#. This means that your skin has probably lost a good amount of elasticity, which means that it may never be "tight". Another factor, also, is that simultaneous liposuction of the abdomen is frowned upon by most when done with an... more

Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Unhappy after Tummy Tuck?

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with the surgical results but it is much too early to evaluate your end results. Generally, swelling after tummy tuck surgery can take months to subside and it can take up to 1 year for skin redraping to occur. I would suggest that you allow this time for complete healing and then evaluate the results. If you still have concerns addressed some calmly with your plastic... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck result

It would be hard to grade your result this early. We could all give a better opinion if we were able to see your before photographs. Your health history could also play a factor in your results.

Timothy Fee, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

www.coastalcosmetic.com

Early post-op tummy tuck

You are very early post-op froma tummy tuck, You are going to have a lot of swelling. Give it at least 3-4 months to get a feel for the final result.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

5 weeks too early to judge tummy tuck results.

5 weeks is really too early to judge the results of any operation. The healing process is just underway and you will see significant changes over the next months. This is not to say that you will get the result you want. However, don't be too critical at this stage.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck after massive weight loss

I would agree with the previous physicians in that your results may not be apparent for at least 6 months. That being said, massive weight loss does have a tremendous effect on the quality of the skin left behind. The skin that is left is very inelastic and does not tend to shrink back like "normal" skin. And so it is not uncommon to require a secondary skin tightening in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. see video

Gregory A. Buford, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck / abdominoplasty results

The final result after a tummy tuck is not obtained until 6 months after the procedure due to swelling and wound healing. Be patient and wait. Keep your appointments with your certified plastic surgeon. Most plastic surgeons have a policy regarding revisions when necessary, but you must wait until everything is healed.

Frank Agullo, MD
El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

Wait first before making a final judgement.

As the others have said it is far too early to talk about any procedures at this point. Having said that, the patient is bent over because when we take off the excess skin it is so tight that they are simply not able to stand straight. If after waiting several months for the swelling to go down, discuss any problems with your surgeon.

Victor Au, MD
Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon

Swelling is normal after a tummy tuck.

Swelling effecting your entire trunk and lower extremity is extremely common after an extensive procedure such as yours and is typically worse if liposuction was performed on the hips as an adjunct to the tummy tuck. It is too premature to predict your final results. You have to be patient and wait sometimes several months to see the finished result. see video