Is my skin not attached after Tummy Tuck? Or do I have excess skin leftover? (photos)

Question

I am almost 4 months post-op. I had a mommy makeover ( tummytuck with muscle repair, breast lift with implants and lipo on the sides ). I have been wearing my garment faithfully. I don't understand why my skin feels loose, like is not attached. also experience some pain in the upper right side of my muscle repair. is this normal? please help, thank you!

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Congratulations! You have a very nice result based on your standing photos.  Your skin is elevated as a flap over your underlying abdominal wall and does eventually reattach to the abdominal wall.  After 4 months this should have happened.  Does it feel like you may have fluid under the skin?  You may want to ask your surgeon regarding a possible seroma under the skin.  If not, then I would recommend massage in the area were there is a contour irregularity to see if this evens out.  Excess skin vertically is not addressed in a standard tummy tuck and usually contracts with time to give you an even contour in all positions.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Great question.  When we develop skin laxity from weight loss or from pregnancy we do so in a vertical (up and down direction) as well as horizontal (side to side).  A tummy tuck primarily addresses the vertical laxity.  Sometimes a flier-de-lis is required to tighten the skin side to side.  A pre-op photo would be helpful in determining this however.I hope this helps.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Is my skin not attached after Tummy Tuck? Or do I have excess skin leftover? (photos)

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Is my skin not attached after Tummy Tuck? Or do I have excess skin leftover? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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