How can I tell if I have been botched? (photo)

Question

I had an abdomoplasty and penniculectomy on September 30 and I look worse than before I went in. I was flat at the top with excess skin at the bottom now I have a buldge at the top and my navel looks horrible they keep saying that its swelling but its been 3 weeks can u please help me figure out if I was botched. there is even a section that has come apart and my navel is still oozing

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

It appears that you could have had a full tummy tuck.  The panniclectomy that you had has resulted in predictable results. Im not sure you were a candidate for a panniculectomy.

Avron Lipschitz, MD · Answer

You are very early our from surgery. I still see jp drains so your final result and healing is a long way off.However i do see some contour irregularities. It seems to me that you have have benefited from flank liposuction and perhaps a body lift. It is difficult to tell from these early post op photos.Allow time to heal and then review.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures. You do not have the most desirable contour after surgery. I would allow at least 3 to 6 months of healing a Reevaluation of your results. Additional weight loss may be needed. If revision surgery is necessary, canbe done 3-6 months after the fact. Please get several second opinion personal consultations from board-certified plastic surgeons.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Sorry! But I think you might NOT have been a good candidate at the weight presented. Thus the outcomes would have been very predicable...

Richard A. de Ramon, MD · Answer

There are a couple of recommendations. First, follow-up often with your surgeon (hopefully board certified in plastic surgery) so he/she can manage your recovery. Second, be patient. Swelling can take 6 months to go away. If you have drainage from your incisions and belly button, you should contact your doctor for advice. You should also wear your post-op compression garment 24/7 for 4-6 weeks post-op. At this point, your contour is not ideal, but without more pre-op photos and not knowing the surgical approach, it is impossible to say you were "botched."

James E. Leake, MD (retired) · Answer

looking at your pics, show that you probably only had a panniculectomy and not a full TT. this choice is between you and your surgeon. it appears to be a decision with limitations, because of your opinions and observations and expectations. certainly, at one month there is still considerable swelling. the result with your belly button is related to the mini TT or panniculectomy decision that you made. slow healing is not abnormal for this type of surgery, and oozing is common with the slow healing. you surgery was not botched, it may be the less ideal selection by you and your surgeon related to your own expectations. but all these things can be corrected.

How can I tell if I have been botched? (photo)

Answers (6)

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