Can my botched tummy tuck be fixed? (photos)

Question

Had a tummy tuck 20 months ago. I have bulging above the scar and a dent with a peircing where my navel used to be. This dent is high enough where l can't wear a bikini. I didn't have alot of excess skin and there wasn't any bulge before my tummy tuck. Can this be fixed?

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Despite the correct decision to ignore the belly button hole and sew it closed, your surgeon didn't use that opportunity to place your long scar where it belongs: very low in the pubic area. That is why not only do you have a high scar, you have a contour depression between the normal fat layer of your abdominal skin and the pubic fat layer below the incision. The fix would be advancement of the skin flap downward as far as possible, with or without (depending on an in person assessment) liposuction of the lower flap. This will lower the scar and create a flat contour of the lower belly as it transitions from above to below the scar.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Independent5589,
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

Jeffrey S. Yager, MD · Answer

Sorry you are not where you wanted to be. The lower muscles need to be tightened and your belly button can be lowered with a Modified Abdominoplasty with Umbilical Float. This is another surgery, and you should discuss this with the original surgeon if you are comfortable, or seek another opinion. An in person exam, as well as photos from before this procedure would also be helpful.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, this can be fixed. Go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns. Excess tissue can be removed in the swollen area and the dent plus hole can be excised and closed.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. Your before, and after pictures are part of your medical record and are available to you upon request. The bulging above your scar is either related to subcutaneous fat or the muscle wall itself. It’s difficult to make an assessment based on pictures alone, and especially not having access to before pictures.
 An individuals who don’t have sufficient skin laxity not being able to clear the belly button is a reality. It may have been better to exercise more skin around the old belly button position to remove the piercing, but doing so create a longer scar. The new belly button position seems to be slightly higher. Changing this will also add more scars on your abdomen.
Consider reposting using proper before and after pictures or schedule a person second opinion consultations with other plastic surgeons in your community. For second opinion, consultations patient should ideally bring with them a complete set of before and after pictures and a copy of your previous operative report. These are all available from your medical provider as they are part of your medical record.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Can my botched tummy tuck be fixed? (photos)

Answers (5)

More Tummy Tuck Revision Questions

Abdomen looks just as large after TT. What are my options?

Steroid injection was given for tummy tuck revision. Now the area has atrophied. What can be done to fix this? (Photo)

Loose skin and bulge 2 years post tummy tuck. Would I benefit from a revision? (Photo)

8 months post op & belly button just started draining a bit of smelly fluid, what should I do?

Is it normal to have a muffin top after tummy tuck? What can I do to fix this?

Tummy tuck / fluid accumulation. What can I do about this?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS