Can I do a revision tummy tuck to improve my upper abdomen and muscles, flanks and back? Scar revision options? (Photos)

Sealine: So Sorry to see your unsatisfactory results.
The best attempt to get a great result of cosmetic surgery is at the initial procedure. Every effort afterwards has trade-off and are an effort to make it better, but it may not be achievable to make it perfect. Photographically, you have an unsightly belly button, a high incision, skin thickness mismatch of the tissues above vs, below the incision, and dog ears on each side. How you got there depends, in part, on the instructions/limitations given to your surgeon and the expectations that you and he/she agreed upon (e.g. If you insisted on a "mini" tummy tuck, then the surgeon was prohibited from extending the incision far back enough to remove the dog ears. If you did not want to have the mons liposuctioned, then it would have been difficult to have to lower flap as flat as patients ideally expect). Moving forward, as objectives of your revision, expect to have the scar lengthened and lowered. IN order to get a nicer belly button, the existing belly button defect will likely be closed as a straight line scar in the lower midline (which heals very well). And you should be tobacco-free b/c smokers have higher risks for nearly all untoward results.

Dear sealine43,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

I'm sorry you've been disappointed. You may want to visit with another board certified plastic surgeon in your area. From the photos it appears you may still have abdominal wall laxity or visceral fat. The dog ears can be addressed to improve the contour. You did not provide photos of your back but you can have them evaluated to determine the best way to address your concerns. You can also discuss scar revision.

It appears that lowering of the scar by means of scar revision and liposuction of abdomen and flanks would be an option. In person or teleconference consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon is recommended. Good luck.

Your situation is most unfortunate. Physicians who are results oriented rather than procedure oriented tend to be more sympathetic with patients in your position. Such physicians understand patients are not presenting to them for surgery, patients present for a result they want. Surgeons do not have complete control over the result and can never promise or guarantee a specific outcome in advance, but when things don't turn out as expected, enthusiastic support for correctional revision procedures is fundamental to the doctor-patient relationship. Depression after cosmetic surgery is completely opposite the goal; The purpose of aesthetic surgery is to elevate your confidence and quality of life. That being said, my preference for management of patients in your situation is a Laverson Type 2 modified abdominoplasty. It works well, and provided you wear a waist trainer for several months following the procedure, the scar will be low, the belly flat, and you'll like your body again.

Based on your series of photos still better to virtual consultation to determine exact options. My impression is you need a complete revision of the tummy tuck with a possible horizontal, vertical scar and liposuction the waist, flanks and re-tightening of the muscles of the recti. Expect fees to range from $10,000-$15,000. Again, at least do a virtual consult to see your options. Regards.

I do not think another tuck will be helpful. You do appear to have some excess fat that can be treated with liposuction and revise the lateral edges or dog ears again. Perhaps just liposuction will take care of the fullness in those ears.