Loose and Saggy Upper Abdomen After Tummy Tuck

A mini abdominoplasty (where there is no incision around your belly button) will not address significant skin excess in the upper abdomen. The dissection of a mini goes to about the level of the belly button, pulling the skin inferior to the belly button tight.
It is usually not effective in addressing upper abdominal skin.
You may have limited options in the short term as there may not be enough skin for a full abdominoplasty at this point. However, time may help both the appearance of your upper abdomen as well as your potential for a full abdominoplasty revision.

Hello siouxmac,

Thank you for sharing your concerns. It sounds like you're experiencing some dissatisfaction with the results of your tummy tuck procedure.

Based on your description, it appears that you may have undergone a mini tummy tuck rather than a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck typically addresses the skin and fat below the belly button and may not adequately address concerns above the navel.

Before proceeding with any surgery, it's crucial to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon about your goals and expectations. If a full tummy tuck was not discussed as an option prior to your surgery, it's understandable that you may be disappointed with the outcome.

In your case, I would recommend considering a full tummy tuck to address the loose and saggy skin above your navel. Additionally, liposuction of the superior iliac crest area may help create a more defined waistline and achieve the hourglass figure you desire.

It's essential to have an open and honest conversation with your surgeon about your concerns and explore all possible options for achieving your desired results. Your surgeon can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.

If you're still unsatisfied with the outcome of your procedure, seeking a second opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon may also be beneficial.

I hope you find a solution that meets your expectations and helps you achieve the aesthetic results you desire.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Your pictures and history indicate that you’ve actually had
a mini abdominoplasty.When patients
have loose saggy upper abdominal skin following this type of procedure,
correction usually always requires conversion to a full abdominoplasty.This procedure involves raising a flap to
the level of the rib cage.The skin is
then advanced in a downward direction and the excess skin is removed at the
level of the lower abdominal incision.An umbilical transposition is an important part of this procedure. Under
these circumstances you appear to be excellent candidate for conversion to a
full abdominoplasty.This procedure
would remove your excess upper abdominal skin, tighten your abdominal muscles
and improve your abdominal contour.If
you’re considering additional surgery it’s important that you consult a board
certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area.This surgeon should be able to formulate a
treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your
aesthetic goals.