Reverse tummy tuck after botched BodyTite? (Photo)

I'm sorry this happened. Reverse tummy tuck is the safest option, but it's not what you think. In its original form, it is a surgery where both a high incision that runs under and ACROSS both breasts and a low (traditional) incision are made, pulling the skin above the belly button up and the skin below the belly button down. This would avoid a larger dissection of skin and reduce the risk of circulatory issues leading to skin necrosis, but will give you two incisions. Alternatively, a traditional tummy tuck can be performed. It is true that factors like scaring can increase the risk of circulatory problems with a traditional tummy tuck, which is why an important part of a tummy tuck surgery for people in your situation includes hyperbaric oxygen therapy beginning the day of your surgery, and followed by an additional 3 to 4 days after surgery, so that maximum oxygenation of tissues can be achieved.

A reverse tummy tuck elevates the upper abdominal skin only. It is really difficult to say whether it is an option for you without an in-person evaluation, especially in light of your complications from Bodytite. I would need to see how dense the scarring is.

Unfortunately, you have contour irregularities both above and below the umbilicus. A reverse tummy tuck would be more effective for the ones above the umbilicus but will do very little for the ones below. It may be possible that you would benefit from a mini tummy tuck to correct the inferior ones.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear kmj030,
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

A reverse tummy tuck can produce an excellent improvement in the appropriate patient. They do not pull the breasts down if performed correctly.

Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you what to do basded on one lomited photo and more importantly without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

It’s very hard to see from your one photo (too far away). One issue is that when you pull the skin upwards and the bumps disappear, it does not remain like that a few months later post reverse abdominoplasty

Poorly posted 1 photo? WHY? no more close up posted photos? Reverse TT are a tricky operation with high complication rates. Doing a short scar Full TT with central vertical scar of belly button is recommended. Fee $8,000+/-. Only after in detail discussions and or virtual consults. Non surgical options are many injection sessions using Radeisse/Sculptra combinations to even out the dents. Expect total fees in the $20,000 ranges for 3-5 sessions for the high costs of the products and the amounts needed. So again best to virtual consult with... BTW Body Tite has many failures.

Reverse tummy tucks are rarely used and only for specific reasons because they tend to pull your breasts down as the tummy pulls back down in place. A regular tummy tuck does the best job for tightening the abdomen.

You need an in-person The definitive correction for liposuction deformities requires the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I encounter suboptimal liposuction outcome referrals weekly. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently corrected liposuction caused deformities. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of severity of contour irregularities by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. Finally, when skin redundancy irregularities are observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee
and examination.

When choosing an operation it’s important to first have a clear understanding of what the primary problem is.
In your case you have an uneven fat distribution.
Even though pulling on your skin makes your abdomen look more smooth a tummy tuck will by itself not change your fat distribution.
A reverse tummy tuck is not a good procedure and that’s my most plastic surgeons don’t do them.
Unless you’re a cigarette smoker I see no reason why you can’t do a traditional tummy tuck. That should be able to undermine or separate the skin and fat layer from your muscle all the way up to your breasts.
I’m not convinced a tummy tuck is going to properly treat your problem since the primary problem is based on fat distribution and that is not addressed by having a tummy tuck.
I continue to tell people on a daily basis that delivering consistent quality liposuction results is far more difficult than most people believe in the importance of properly vetinging plastic surgeons for these procedures is crucial to avoid ending up with bad outcomes.
Whether done with body tight or not I’m guessing it is the Liposuction done in conjunction with that procedure that caused the problems but perhaps you didn’t have Liposuction. You didn’t say in your post. typically bodytite is done in conjunction with Liposuction.
Treating poor outcomes from badly done liposuction procedures is very difficult and patients need to recognize the inherent limitations.
Good luck with your decision making and potential upcoming procedure.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD