How Effective is Oblique Stitching in a Tummy Tuck?

Question

Hi there. Last year i got a mini abdominoplasty done due to mass loss of weight and noticing i still had a distended stomach. However my stomach is still lax and distended and i'm not happy with the surgery. I am now booked in to get my oblique's stitched up soon. I'm just curious as to how effective it really is. In my opinion my obliques do seem to bulge a fair bit. But will getting them stitched closer help stop my abdomen from protruding?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You have had a previous mini abdominoplasty and still have bulging.  The most crucial part of the abdominoplasty is fascia tightening, which you apparently did not undergo.  Suturing the fascia is not a routine part of the mini tummy tuck.  You need to see a plastic surgeon who does fascia plications.

	Best of Luck,

	Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

If you had massive weight loss you likely were a better candidate for a full tummy tuck. I have never seen a massive weight loss patient who was a good candidate for a mini.  The good news is that a mini tummy tuck can be converted to a full one. This may be a better option for you. I can't imagine that oblique tightening is going to have that much of an effect on your result.

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

The disappointment you are experiencing is likely from having a mini tummy tuck instead of a full tummy tuck.  Oblique suturing at the time of full tummy tuck can be beneficial. I hope this helps.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

It's hard to tell without examining you, but if you have significant looseness of you abdomen after a tummy tuck you may have to be re-tightened from top to bottom.  This does involve a full tummy tuck, but in order to get a much flatter belly this is sometimes required.

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

You really need to get some more opinions from plastic surgeons before committing to this further surgery.  Stitching your obliques is unlikely to work.  More likely, as has been said below, given your history a miniabdominoplasty may not have been the procedure of choice in the first place.  I strongly suggest you seek some more opinions before making any decision to have more surgery at this time.
Good luck.

How Effective is Oblique Stitching in a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Revision surgery after a tummy tuck is sometimes required

Answer: Revision surgery after a tummy tuck is sometimes required

Answer: Not happy with miniabdominoplasty

Answer: Not happy with miniabdominoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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How Effective is Oblique Stitching in a Tummy Tuck?

Answers (7)

Answer: Revision surgery after a tummy tuck is sometimes required

Answer: Revision surgery after a tummy tuck is sometimes required

Answer: Not happy with miniabdominoplasty

Answer: Not happy with miniabdominoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.