Loose skin above belly button after 40lbs weight loss, am I a reverse tummy tuck candidate? (Photos)

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for this procedure based on the photos. A formal evaluation would be important to determine all of your options.

While it sounds reasonable that a reverse tummy tuck should give results similar to lifting the skin with your hands, in my experience, this is very rarely the surgical results.

A traditional tummy tuck with lower scar will best tighten skin including above the belly button. This is common needed after large weight loss.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.

Hello TDepalma,

Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of undergoing a reverse tummy tuck after your significant weight loss. Based on the details and photos you've shared, you do appear to be a good candidate for a reverse tummy tuck. This procedure is particularly effective for addressing excess skin located primarily above the belly button, which aligns with your description.

The reverse tummy tuck involves an incision just beneath the breasts, allowing the scar to be concealed under most clothing, including swimwear and lingerie. It is important to note, however, that while this technique does help with removing excess upper abdominal skin, it does not typically involve modification of the belly button or extensive tightening of the abdominal muscles below the belly button.

Before deciding, consider the following:

Extent of Skin Removal: The reverse tummy tuck may not remove as much skin as a full abdominoplasty, which might be a consideration if you have significant laxity.
Muscle Tightening: If your concern also includes muscle laxity, a full tummy tuck, which allows for muscle repair along the entire abdomen, might be more beneficial.
Future Procedures: If you plan on breast surgeries, such as implants, the incision for the reverse tummy tuck could potentially interfere with these procedures.
If you're primarily concerned with the aesthetic appearance above the belly button and prefer minimal visible scarring on the lower abdomen, the reverse tummy tuck could indeed be a suitable option. It's crucial to discuss all these aspects with your plastic surgeon to ensure that the chosen procedure aligns with your overall aesthetic goals and to understand the limitations and benefits fully.

Thank you again for considering this transformative step, and I wish you the best in achieving your desired outcomes.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Your choice comes down to where you wish your scar placement. A reverse abdominoplasty, with the incisions in the fold underneath your breasts, also crosses across your midline between your two breasts, and would be slightly visible there in bathing suits, etc. This would correct the loose skin of your upper abdomen, with the trade-off, being a slightly more visible scar. A regular abdominoplasty, with the incision across your lower abdomen would also correct this loose tissue in your upper abdomen, but the scar would be less visible in bathing suits. The choice would be yours as to which incision position you feel most comfortable with. Best wishes.

Reverse abdominoplasties are an attractive option for those who have loose skin only above the umbilicus. The key problems are scar placement and scar widening. In my personal experience, it is seldom my first choice for the patient. Seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to explore your best options.

Reverse tummy tucks require an incision and subsequent scar too; this one goes under the entire inframammary fold of one breast to across the other, crossing the midline. If you don't already have inframammary scars, then it doesn't make much sense. 'Mini reverse tummy tucks' with two scars in the inframammary fold but don't connect at the midline are insufficient for virtually any abdomen.

Yes, a reverse tummy tuck can solve your problem. However, in your photographs, you do not show your breasts. It is possible that a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method may help as well. This technique reshapes your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. I would need photographs of your breasts to give you a more accurate answer.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

If you don't mind having a scar in the upper abdomen, that can go from one side to the other across the midline, then reverse tummy tuck will help with your goal of improving just the upper abdomen. I personally don't like this approach because the upper abdominal scar is hard to hide and can become thick over the midline crossing.

Yes you actually are! Most patients have excess skin bellow their belly button or they have considerable muscle separation…. You seem to have neither! Without other photos or a video or in person consultation it had to say exactly butI feel you can expect similar results to the picture you have attached.

There are two types of incisions with a reverse tt. One that is placed under the breasts and connects both breast folds across the the middle. The other incision is also placed under easy breast they are not connected, therefore avoiding a continuous scar between your breast. This smaller incision creates less of a lift and gets rid of less skin especially in the middle. You might even be a candidate for this smaller scar option.

It would be easier to say with better photos or a video/in person consultation.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

​Without examining you it is difficult to be certain but based on the photos it looks like a reverse tummy tuck corrects the skin above your belly button, however without seeing the lower abdomen its tough to say if this would be enough for total correction of the abdomen. I'd suggest seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation to discuss your options after a proper examination. Best of luck!