9 months post-op tummy tuck & have excess skin/bunching? Can anything be done? (Photos)

Question

I had a TT Feb 2022, I love the placement of my scar but don't love the bunching of skin on my lower belly. Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, based on the picture you appear to be good candidate for mini tummy tuck to remove the skin excess. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

In some patients, with very distended abdominal skin, one must consider not only horizontal but also a vertical skin excess. This seems to be the case with you. In order to eliminate vertical skin fold, additional eliptic skin excision between BB and pubic scar may be considered. It is something to discuss with your surgeon. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mrsstar,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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

Shana Kalaria, MD · Answer

I would recommend excision of part of your current horizontal and part of your vertical scar. This will remove more of the excess skin below your belly button and will give your abdomen a flatter appearance. This will help with the bunching in the middle. Good luck!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, a vertical incision can be done to remove the excess, or you can try minimally invasive skin tightening with radiofrequency like ThermiTight or Renuvion to tighten the skin.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's difficult to tell with the provided photos.  If you have excess skin it can be excised.  If the bunching is only present when seated this is normal.  If it is loose when standing then it can often be addressed.  See your surgeon for an evaluation.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Posted photos do NOT demonstrate the issues well. Please re post photos from longer focal distance or virtual consult with... I suspect you will need revision full TT?

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Your scar is placed very low which is nice.  The photo you show is you in a seated position.  I would be interested in how your abdomen looks in the standing position??
If the abdomen does not change  appearance in the standing position, then a scar revision with more skin removal may lessen the medial (central) skin excess.
Dr. Taranow

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Tell me a joke results are not judged in a sitting position. Everybody has skin laxity when their hips are flexed.
Likewise when people have skin laxity with an indication for a full tummy tuck they have both vertical and horizontal skin laxity.
The vertical skin laxity is corrected and that leaves patients with a horizontal scar. The horizontal skin laxity needs to be managed and if the skin laxity is worked towards the hips patients develop “dog ears” at an unfavorable body contour in that area. It’s pretty common for plastic surgeons to migrate to horizontal skin laxity slightly towards the midline. for patients who have severe skin laxity and entire vertical scar is added with a variation of a tummy tuck call a fleur-de-lis pattern.
I suggest not focusing on what your lower abdomen looks like in a sitting position. Very few people see your abdomen while you’re sitting.
If it doesn’t look right in the standing position then you have a justified concern that is worth talking to your plastic surgeon about. if it looks fine in an upright standing position then there is no indication for revision surgery or trying to get the results look better.
Real south has no shortage of people complaining about tummy tuck results with her hips flexed.
If someone has a tight skin and a flexed torso they won’t be able to stand out straight.
Perhaps the skin on your lower abdomen could’ve been distributed more laterally but overall your outcome looks like quality work that does not justify revision surgery.
Consider posting proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have them before and after pictures then ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

9 months post-op tummy tuck & have excess skin/bunching? Can anything be done? (Photos)

Answers (11)

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