“Mini abdominoplasty & liposuction didn't address the problem”
Mini tummy tuck: NOT worth it
Pain: Mild
I had a mini abdominoplasty & liposuction but wasn't informed of the limitations. I'm left with loose skin over my navel, just as before surgery.
I’m 63, 5’2”, 115 pounds. I had a breast augmentation, mini abdominoplasty and liposuction of the abdomen and back May 18th, ’09. No muscle repair was necessary. Nothing was done with my umbilicus. I was clear with the surgeon that my main concern was the flap of loose skin around my waist and over my navel, but he didn’t tell me that the mini tummy tuck couldn’t correct that.
I’m angry with myself for not being better educated going into this, and angry with the surgeon for not making the limitations of the mini procedure known to me. Here’s a picture of what I look like now. My “after” picture is not much different than before. I’m not a happy camper. My lower abdomen was never the problem in the first place.
Updated on Aug 13, 2009:
Updated on Aug 21, 2009:
Aug 21, 2009Comments and replies (4)
50 posts
22 Aug 2009
after reviewing your foto, I think your abdomen can be corrected with a full tummy tuck. I would wait about 6 months before redoing it. Having a mini-TT often doesn't burn bridges, but it can make the re-do a little more challenging. A full tummy tuck will correct the loose upper abdominal skin and the belly button. Because you already had a mini-TT there may need to be some adjustments in the technique. Have you talked to your surgeon about your dissatisfaction? I reccomend that you have a candid heart-to-heart with your surgeon; they may arrive at the same conclusion I did.
12 posts
24 Aug 2009
I still don't fully understand the implications of "not enough skin." From my standpoint the problem is too much skin! I'm 3 1/2 months post-op - not a lot of swelling left that I can tell, but maybe it's just not apparent.