Have I messed up my tummy tuck? (Photo)

Thank you for your question. Looking at your photos I would suggest doing a little bit of liposuction around the mid section. You can also request a skin tightening laser component to help with the skin retraction. I would suggest speaking with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in person to evaluate you and discuss your options. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your question regarding if you messed up your tummy tuck. Although you are gaining weight, it is not too late to revert your body back to your original tummy tuck results. You have not gained a significant amount of weight yet. It’s important that you begin to diet and exercise, cutting out all carbs, sugars, and alcohol. You do not want your tummy tuck cost and pain to go to waste. You still have a shapely figure and not a lot of excess skin. You can consider liposuction if diet and exercise do not help you lose weight. However, please try to exercise and see what you can do first.

If you have any more questions regarding a tummy tuck, 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 tummy tuck or 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, tummy tuck or lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, 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 Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Weight gain can negatively impact the results of a tummy tuck. Excess fat can accumulate in the area and the skin becomes stretched out. Losing weight can reduce the excess fat in the area but it may cause the skin to become loose, since it may not be able to retract. However, there is no guarantee this will happen.

Hi. Thank you so much for your question. Passing the year the skin elasticity change, after tummy tuck is always a good recommendation to start doing exercises to help to tight your skin to your muscle again. Please check with your surgery a consultation if you think is necessary.
The best of luck
Dr. Quiroz

Dear Plucky96504,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine is there something 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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gaining weight or pregnancy will stretch out your abdominal skin. You are young and might have more children, so wait on any revision. You could consider minimally invasive skin tightening with radiofrequency like Renuvion or ThermiTight instead.

Thank you for your question! We appreciate your trust. According to your pictures there is no much excess skin in your tummy area, which means that exercise will definitely help you. Considering your young age exercise will be more beneficial for you than the revision tummy tuck. Take care!

Weight gain can alter your tummy tuck results, but it appears you don't have much skin laxity. If you are concerned I encourage you to visit with your surgeon for a consultation once you have achieved your goal weight.

Tell me tuck results are generally fairly permanent. some individuals are prone to developing mild skin laxity from even slight tension on the skin from things like weight gain. The other thing to consider is with age everybody loses skin elasticity. skin elasticity is not exactly the same as skin laxity but rather the loss of stretchiness in the skin.
For some individuals even moderate weight gain can cause some skin laxity. The impact that weight gain has on skin varies substantially between individuals based on genetic predisposition.
The best thing you can do is to keep your weight down and avoid future fluctuations.
Is unlikely your weight gain cost any significant damage to your results.
Weight fluctuations that are within 20 pounds are probably not going to have a significant impact but anything approaching 50 or more pounds will definitely leave a permanent change.
Because nascent of your weight by getting on the scale every day and try to maintain a consistent healthy weight.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note that your extended abdominoplasty has healed satisfactorily. The muscular repair (if performed) appears intact. There appear to be moderate residual stretch marks involving your abdomen extending upward to the level of the umbilicus.
Significant weight fluctuation after abdominoplasty may permanently alter the surgical result. During pregnancy or with significant weight fluctuation, the abdominal skin is stretched by underlying tissues. Its elastic properties may be exceeded, resulting in rupture of the skin's elastic fibers and irreversible skin stretch. The inelastic skin will not configure or conform, resulting in sag. The damaged skin will be prone to further stretching.
Your underlying musculature appears intact. Abdominal exercises may be of benefit to strengthen your abdominal muscles.
Best wishes...