Mommy makeover 37 female - Will my old mini tummy tuck scar or prior lipo affect the results? (Photos)

Question

I’m a 37-year-old female, 140 lbs, lost 40 lbs this year. I had a mini tummy tuck 15 yrs ago and a BBL with abdominal/flank lipo 3 yrs ago. I want a mommy makeover with a breast lift using minimal-scar techniques. Will my old mini tummy tuck scar or prior lipo affect the results? Also, is upper body lipo typically included in a mommy makeover, or is that considered an additional procedure?

Christine Fisher, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your remarkable weight loss! Losing 40 pounds is a significant accomplishment, and it truly reflects your dedication and hard work.

Based on your photos, you appear to be an excellent candidate for a mommy makeover, which may include a revision tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast lift (mastopexy), and liposuction. Your existing abdominal scar can be utilized during the tummy tuck to remove excess skin, improving the overall contour of your midsection.

However, it’s important to note that previous liposuction can make an abdominoplasty more challenging. Scarring from prior liposuction can reduce skin elasticity, making it more difficult to achieve the desired flat appearance. Additionally, liposuction can sometimes affect blood flow to the incision site, slightly increasing the risk of healing complications.

In most mommy makeovers, I perform extensive liposuction of the upper abdomen, flanks, lower back, and armpit region to enhance body contour. We typically begin the surgery with the patient in the prone (face-down) position, which adds time but helps achieve a smoother, more refined contour of the upper back. For added definition, abdominal etching is often included to create a more sculpted appearance of the abdomen.

I strongly recommend consulting with a surgeon who has extensive experience in revisional cosmetic surgery to ensure the best possible outcome.

I wish you the best of luck in achieving your aesthetic goals.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. As you have had no prior surgery on your breasts, your breast lift should be straightforward. The skin pattern for your breast lift would need to be determined by your surgeon based upon the skin laxity, and the amount of elevation of your nipple/areola that needs to be done.  Your prior mini tummy tuck and liposuction created scar tissue.  While your old mini tummy tuck scar could be removed, the scarring from your liposuction extends everywhere in the tissues beneath the skin of your abdomen.  Scars do not stretch, so it may not be possible to pull your abdominal skin downward to tighten your tummy.  This should be discussed in detail with your plastic surgeon. Also, adding liposuction of your upper body would likely increase the cost because of additional time in the operating room and under anesthesia. Best wishes.

Fernando Ovalle Jr., MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Congratulations on your 40lb weight loss! That is definitely life changing. However, the weight loss does come with the effect of leaving behind skin laxity. In gfeneral, the effect of the prior operations is that there is scar tissue in the anatomical/surgical planes that makes additional procedures a little more tricky - not impossible, but it just might take longer and it may not be possible to remove all of the previous scar tissue. So if there is a "hard" or "tethered" area, it may or may not be able to be addressed with new operations. Another consideration is that if you "re-do" a tummy tuck, you may need additional scars, such as a vertical scar, due to the location of the new skin laxity and the possibility of not being able to remove all of the skin between the old incision and the belly button. This can be best explained in an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. As far as "upper body lipo", that is not typically part of the classic mommy makeover operation (something to the tummy and something to the breasts), but certainly it would be good to discuss combination procedures at the time of your consultation.  Thanks again and good luck on your journey!

Gulcin Nujen Cardak, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello, thank you for sharing your photos. After reviewing them, I noticed a long abdominoplasty scar and some minor skin irregularities on your upper body. Your breasts are well-suited for a short-scar (lollipop) breast lift, and with upper body liposuction combined with a traditional abdominoplasty, we can aim for beautiful, natural-looking results.
Although previous surgeries can sometimes influence the outcome of new procedures, in your case we will be able to remove most of the affected areas from the previous surgery. This gives us every reason to expect excellent results from your mommy makeover and help you feel even more confident in your body.

Sibel Atalay, MD · Answer

First, congratulations on your amazing weight loss, that’s such an accomplishment and a perfect foundation for a mommy makeover. Your old mini tummy tuck scar and past liposuction won’t hold you back. In fact, the older scar can usually be revised or removed during your tummy tuck so you’re left with one smooth, low line. Previous lipo just means I’ll be extra thoughtful in sculpting those areas to give you the best possible contour.
When it comes to your breasts, many women in your situation are wonderful candidates for minimal-scar lift techniques. If only a gentle lift is needed, smaller incisions can create a natural, youthful look with fewer scars. If more reshaping is required, a slightly longer incision may be the better choice to give lasting balance and confidence. Either way, the goal is always to keep scars minimal while giving you a beautiful, lifted shape.
A traditional mommy makeover usually combines breast surgery with a tummy tuck and liposuction of the waist or hips. Areas like the arms or back aren’t automatically included, but they can absolutely be added if they matter to you. The best part is that a mommy makeover is fully customizable, it’s about restoring harmony and helping you feel like the very best version of yourself again.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Yes, it can affect your surgical plan, but it’s manageable. Scar tissue from the old mini tummy tuck may have changed the skin elasticity and blood flow in the lower abdomen. Your plastic surgeon will need to assess how much scar tissue is present and how it might affect healing or the ability to redrape the skin.  Depending on where your mini tuck scar is (usually low on the abdomen), it may be revised or incorporated into a full tummy tuck incision, which is common during mommy makeovers.  If the mini tummy tuck didn’t address the upper abdomen originally, and you now have loose skin there (common after major weight loss), a full tummy tuck might be needed to get the best results.  Bottom line, it won’t disqualify you, but your surgeon may need to work around it or revise it.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

"Mommy makeover" is a marketing term that involves any procedure(s) that target issues resulting from having children. For this reason, it could include a tummy tuck, breast lift or other procedure. You’ll need to clarify what procedures are involved with your surgeon.

Depending on the extent of scarring you currently have, generally speaking they should not interfere with pending surgery.

Depending on the extent of scarring you currently have, generally speaking they should not interfere with pending surgery.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You are an excellent candidate for a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained. This will also pull up the upper abdominal skin. You may benefit from a revision of your previous tummy tuck or a complete tummy tuck.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Yucel Sarialtin, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for sharing your photos and background. Given your history of a mini tummy tuck and prior liposuction, a mommy makeover is still very achievable, though your surgeon will need to assess scar placement, tissue integrity, and fat distribution from the previous procedures. The old mini tummy tuck scar may influence incision planning, but it generally does not prevent good results. A breast lift with minimal-scar techniques (like a vertical or donut lift) may be appropriate depending on your skin laxity and desired lift. As for upper body liposuction, such as the arms, upper back, or bra roll area, it is not typically included in a standard mommy makeover and is usually considered an add-on procedure.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your weight loss! You can still be a candidate for a Mommy Makeover even though you've had prior procedures.  The included procedures in a Mommy Makeover are tailored to the patient's surgical goals.  I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

Mommy makeover 37 female - Will my old mini tummy tuck scar or prior lipo affect the results? (Photos)

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