33 female, 5 years post-op 1st TT, am I a candidate for a full tummy tuck again? (Photos)

In either scenario, you'll need to disarticulate the belly button from the skin to repair the hernia and complete the muscle repair above the belly button. This is not a bad thing though, because your belly button could look so much more natural than it does now. In my hands, I would re-advance upper belly skin as well (full tummy tuck). This will optimally tighten skin, and allow for a lower scar, which is too high on you.

without the benefit of meal to examine you in person, I can tell you that I’ve had multiple patients that have had the same situation where they had a tummy a long time ago and then had a pregnancy afterwards and your pictures are very similar to what I would expect. What I have found very successful in these patients is to actually perform a mini tuck. So I would use the original incision, lift all the skin off of the abdominal wall, repaired the muscle separation and hernia and float the belly button down about an inch. Based on your picture, it would still be at a normal position in it would not look artificial and I don’t see that you have enough loose skin to do a full tummy tuck successfully.

Dear malibuu05,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery