Tummy tuck 11 months post-op, don't feel good with my results. Is this normal? (Photo)

Question

Hi I’m 11 months post op already and for some reason my tummy fuck doesn’t feel tight at all I have to suck it in all the time if I relax my stomach just expands out I’m so overwhelmed because I paid for the extended tummy tuck with muscle repair /tightened and I don’t feel good with my results is this normal

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and sharing your concerns about the results 11 months after your abdominoplasty procedure. After examining your before-and-after photos, I see a noticeable improvement. Your abdomen has transitioned from a flat to a concave shape, which generally indicates a successful procedure and muscle repair. I'm sorry to hear that you're not entirely pleased with your results. I recommend having an open conversation with your plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and set realistic expectations for what the surgery can achieve. From a surgical perspective, however, your results look excellent.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

It is very normal to feel a spectrum of emotions throughout the first year or two post op after tummy tuck. I always encourage my patients to come back and talk to me about dissatisfaction. Your surgeon will be able to assess you and see if the skin laxity that you have is normal. We all give back a little skin laxity in the post op period in order to move and live life normally.

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

It is hard to comment on the degree of your improvement without pre op photos, but your current photos show a very good aesthetic outcome. i would expect core exercises will help to maintain a tighter appearance, even when you are relaxed. A visit to your surgeon would be valuable for assurance.

Stefan Mark Szczerba, MD · Answer

Ok this is hard to tell without seeing the before pictures.  If your surgeon is an experienced and board certified, then muscle plication is one of the things we pride ourselves on.  Have a talk with your surgeon and let him or her know that you don't feel tight any longer and see if there are options.  MOST patients lose weight after tummy tuck and things can feel looser.  Best Wishes!!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

It’s clear that enough skin and fat was resected and the scar is in an acceptable position. Your issue is your muscle wall. Having a diastasis repair does not mean you no longer have to contract your abdominal wall muscles when standing. Women who’ve had substantial muscle wall damage may take a year or more before they get normal muscle strength and stamina back. Contrary to another surgeons query, this is not about how long you wore compression garments; this is not about persistent swelling or persistent excess fat.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  Hi.  First and foremost make sure to bring up these concerns withyour surgeon who was actually there and knows what he or she did during the surgery as well as being able to evaluate you in person to assess the quality of the muscle repair.  Based on the pictures it looks like you have a nice reasonable result.  A lot of the different contour can be do to the dynamics of the abdominal musculature.  Even with an excellent muscle repair, when the muscles are fully relaxed they will tend to protrude out.  I have my patients work aggressively on abdominal strengthening exercises to make the muscle (that I have repaired) strong and able to hold things nice and flat by their strength now that they are in the proper position.  
Good luck and take care, 
Dr. Howell

Peter D. Geldner, MD · Answer

Thanks for your excellent question and photos. Not knowing the details of your procedure, I an limited in my response. An important part of many abdominoplasties is muscle plication, or tightening. This creates the tightening of the underlying tissues. But the abdominal wall is living tissue and responds to tension from intraabdominal contents and underlying muscle tone. Many patients notice some bulging after abdominoplasties as the abdominal wall recovers and adapts it it's new normal. Typically, muscle tone recovers but that is dependent on many things including activity. I don't recommend aggressive abdominal workouts within the first few months, but afterward, controlled muscle exercises are a good idea. I have noticed some improvements in this situation with EMSculpt and EMSculpt Neo. Effectively, this device uses supramaximal contractions of the muscles and  improves underlying muscle tone which battles the bulge. Don't forget to talk this over with your surgeon. Best of luck.

Carlos Marciales, MD · Answer

look really good your result, the scar it’s really low, and your bellybutton looks good, you have excellent result

Geuris Cruz Quiroz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question dear @Exuberant970759
Tummy tuck with muscle repair is different for all the patient, I can see very good results and good healing for your incisions and belly button, sorry to read this is not the results you was expecting, but how long did you use your faja and do massages, also remember tummy tuck with muscle repair only repair muscle and cut extra skin, does not remove fat that can be under your muscle. I did not see your before surgery pictures and I can tell you this results are really good for only tummy tuck with MR. Please contact your surgeon for any concern you can have about your results. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Exuberant970759,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tummy tuck 11 months post-op, don't feel good with my results. Is this normal? (Photo)

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