Is it normal to have this much loose skin after a tummy tuck? It is mostly noticeable when I bend over, even slightly (Photo)

Thank you for sharing your excellent question and photographs.  With massive weight loss (>100lbs) the skin of the abdomen often develops laxity and tissue excess in both a vertical and horizontal dimension.  A horizontal scar, like you have, controls the vertical excess but the horizontal excess can only be treated with a vertical scar from your breastbone down to your horizontal scar.  If the excess skin in your pictures bothers you, a correction can be performed but requires this additional scar. This type of tummy tuck is termed a fleur-de-lys or FDL.  Hope this helps.

Hello,Thank you for your question and photos. Yes, unfortunately, in cases of massive weight loss there can be excess skin laxity both vertically and horizontally so a standard tummy tuck is not able to tighten the abdominal skin completely. I recommend that you follow up with your surgeon to talk about next steps in your transformation.All the best 

Your results photo is the standing position is quite good - it's only when you bend over that you really see that excess skin.  So, the question is - is it worth that extra vertical scar, to rid yourself of that extra skin?What if the scar was unsightly, or it messed up the belly button - still worth it?Not everyone would agree on the answer.

In the presence of extensive weight loss it is not unusual for their to appear to be a vertical groove as you have experienced. Your PS is correct in that removal of this excess with a vertical scar would help to flatten the abdomen.

This is not unusually for patients who lost much weight and have stretch marks. A vertical incision may help but do not expect super tight skin. 

By your photos it appears that you have a transverse component as well as the vertical to your loose skin. The vertical was addressed but you still have transverse looseness that will require a vertical scar. You need to discuss your options with your plastic surgeon and decide whether the scar is worth it

Thank you for submitting this question. I see your point in dissatisfaction with the excess tissue.  As mentioned, it becomes a decision between the appearance now and accepting a vertical scar from below your breast bone to the lower incisional scar.  If this is something that you look at every day and detest, then a revision with removal of the 'groove' and also some further excision of the skin through the lower abdominal incision makes sense.  Sometimes, going for the 'A+' is very rewarding, so be honest with yourself regarding how much this concerns you.Cheers,Brad Remington, MD

Thank you for your question and photographs. Your result in the standing position looks very nice to me. You may have benefited from having a T abdominoplasty in which both the vertical and horizontal excess could have been addressed. It appears to me that your skin quality is not the best and despite maximum tension after any surgery you will loosen up a little bit. If I were you I'd leave everything alone. Just one plastic surgeons opinion. Hope that's helpful.