Was my lower body lift botched? I have a crease down the middle of my stomach. I'm 2.5 months post op. Options? (photos)

Hi, thank you for your question regarding whether your 360 circumferential lower body lift was "botched". The true answer to this question is difficult to answer. One would need better "before" pictures and know exactly what was done during the 360 circumferential lower body lift surgery. One essential question I would ask, is if the rectus abdominis muscle was sutured from the bottom of the sternum (central rib cage) to the top of the pubic bone (pubic region).   Suturing the rectus abdominis muscle helps to flatten the upper, middle, and especially in your case, the lower abdomen. It does appear that you have loose skin from above the umbilicus (belly button) to the bottom of the xiphoid (bottom of the sternum). RECOMMENDATIONS: I would you give yourself at least another 3 1/2 months to heal.  After  3 1/2 months, I would carefully reassess. During those 3 1/2 months, I would exercise and eat right. If your condition does not change and this excess skin truly concerns you, then another surgery would be necessary. Since you have mostly excess skin and not much excess abdominal fat, I would suggest skin excision, rather than liposuction.  In your case, abdominal liposuction would only make the upper abdominal skin more loose. The only way to get rid of the skin from your belly button to your sternum is with a vertical skin excision.  The incision may extend from your xiphoid to your belly button or the vertical incision may even extend to the pubic region. This is called a vertical abdominoplasty. The downside to a vertical abdominoplasty is a highly visible scar on the abdomen. You are trading abdominal skin for a scar.  All in all, I do not think your 360 circumferential lower body lift was "botched".  I believe you just had so much excess abdominal skin that there was residual skin from the xiphoid to the belly button.  Instead, I would commend your plastic surgeon.  I believe your plastic surgeon did a very good job.  I believe they did all they could to maximize your lower body lift results and minimize visible scars.  I specialize in the 360 circumferential lower body lift and especially, revisions of the 360 circumferential lower body lift.  If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy please contact my office. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced, lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeryand RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Dear ericalynn0122,
I understand your concern and it is quite normal to be concerned about the outcome following a LBL surgery. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides, you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for  your question.    After reviewing your pictures I do see your line in the abdomen.  In patients with low density in the dermis the skin tens to fold in the middle as it shows in your case.  Is a difficult issue to correct and some procedures  like liposuction tent to aggravated this condition

Thank you for your questions and your pictures.
As you point out, from your photos, it appears that you have a slight crease in the midline of your belly. Without knowing what exactly was done during your surgery it is difficult to give you an adequate answer. The crease could be a result of the body contouring performed to help give you a more defined abdomen. With time, the area of indentation may relax and settle some. You are still early in your recovery. I recommend you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns with them as they will be able to monitor and guide you appropriately throughout your recovery.
Best wishes!
Olivier A. Deigni, MD, MPH