Tummy tuck shelf - is it best to just leave it alone like my surgeon suggested? (Photo)

After massive weight loss, it is common to have minor residual issues due to surgical limitations.

You have a great improvement overall. even though it’s been a year, post op seroma treatment can prolong healing, residual scar tissue, thickness, etc.

The area may still calm down further over several months.

Reparation risks skin, healing problems.

Close follow up with your plastic surgeon is recommended during this time.

The photographs don't reveal well what you are speaking of. Incisions appear to be healing well. I would see another plastic surgeon in your area for a second opinion.

If you had a seroma and some fat necrosis (which is possible from the photos you showed), then the area will not only look like a shelf but will also feel firmer than the skin around it. The only way to remove it is to surgically cut out the abnormal scar tissue. This can solve the problem, but sometimes it can lead to another seroma and sometimes cause other contour abnormalities like unevenness. You have to weight the potential for benefit against the risks of it not improving or getting worse. I would seek the opinion of another surgeon or two in person since pictures can only show so much.

You appear to have a very nice result from your surgery. With massive weight loss there is a lot of skin and tissue everywhere and no matter what you do, there is always some room for improvement with extra procedures later. Seroma formation with the use of the Pollock progressive sutures without drains is close to 0 %. A lot of surgeons still use drains and have seromas and this is ok but I find it not necessary to use drains. A fleur de lis operation would make your skin tighter but would leave you with a midline vertical scar which I would not like. Revisions are up to you and you can get a little improvement with each revision. Wither you have revisions and their troubles is up to you.

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss! If the seroma capsule is still present you may find improvement in removing it. If your incision continues to be uncomfortable. you can also consider scar revision which may help.

An examination is needed to be certain, but if a mass is still present, it may be the capsule of the seroma and that could be removed to be flatter. You could get improvement with Renuvion and Morpheus to tighten and improve the stretch marks.

Based on your series of posted photos and following a required lower abdominal ultrasound a revision of the tummy tuck area is possible. Expect fees to range from $5000-$10,000. Best to virtual consult with.