Surgeon recommended Tissue expanders for Tummy Tuck? (Photos)

Question

I’m 5’0 and 130 lbs, down from 180lbs. I carry a lot of my weight centrally and had a consult with a surgeon who’s usually booked a year out for most procedures. I do want to get down to 110 before my surgery. My main concern is the deep stretch marks I have above my mons area, it looks crinkly when i’m sitting down, super embarassing during sex and just something that I would love to get rid of with a low incision (along with the stretch marks on my lower abdomen). However I was told that I dont have enough laxity for that and I could either: 1. end up with a high incision that doesn’t address my upper mins stretch marks OR 2. low incision, but with only a mini TT that doesnt get rid of all the lower belly stretch marks. The doctor did mention something that I found interesting, tissue expanders placed in my upper belly that would allow for more laxity which would then allow the surgeon to do a high tension TT, which should take care of all my problems. I haven’t seen this anywhere though and was wondering if it’s performed on patients? I don’t have a lot of laxity above my belly button. (theres a little, but not a lot). I’m just looking for advice mainly because I couldnt find anything about tissue expanders other than stuff for breast reconstruction. I’ve attached pictures. My problem area is right above my hairline (basically the part of the mons that is not darker than the rest of my skin)

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You could have a standard tummy tuck done easily. I don’t see the need for tissue expanders and have never heard of their use in a tummy tuck. Get another opinion

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Tissue expanders are used very commonly in reconstructive surgery, especially breast reconstruction, but they are not a standard or routine solution before cosmetic tummy tuck surgery.
In theory, tissue expansion can create extra skin. In practice, using expanders in the abdominal area would mean another procedure, months of expansion, discomfort, visible bulging during the expansion period, risk of infection, implant exposure, skin thinning, and additional scarring. For most tummy tuck patients, those risks and inconvenience are not justified.
Your surgeon is correct that if there is not enough upper abdominal laxity, a very low incision may not be able to remove all the stretch-marked skin above the mons. That is a real limitation. But the usual solution is not tissue expansion; it is careful incision planning, accepting that some stretch marks may remain, or choosing the operation that gives the best balance between scar position and skin removal.
A mini tummy tuck may not address enough skin if your concern is both lower abdominal and mons-area stretch marks. A full tummy tuck can remove more, but if the scar is kept too low without enough laxity, it may create too much tension or fail to remove the area you dislike.
My honest advice would be to be cautious with tissue expanders for this purpose and seek another opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon who does a lot of body contouring. The goal should be a realistic plan: remove what can be safely removed, keep the scar as low as possible, and understand that not every stretch mark can always be eliminated in one operation.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You do not need tissue expanders for a tummy tuck.  It appears you have excess above and below the umbilicus and also appears you have enough skin for a full tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Surgeon recommended Tissue expanders for Tummy Tuck? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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