Still Have Loose Skin After Vertical Tummy Tuck

Question

Hi, I have lost a total of 182 pound by exercice and well eating in two years. After 1 years of stabilisation, I go with a full tummy tuck with vertical incision to have a great result. But, 3 weeks after churgery, I still have loose skin upper my ombilic !! The tummy tuck have a nice look upper my ppubis, but not upper (see picture). I will ask my doctor wath to doo, but I need argument ! I thiunk it would probably try to said that it normal. Please give me your opinion.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Patients who have lost a massive amount of weight have very poor elasticity of their skin.  Like a spent elastic waistband, these fibers are simply gone.

	So often the results of even the best tummy tucks look great when the patient is standing, but show the looseness when the patient leans forward.

	This is unfortunately a fact of life and unavoidable.

	Most patients are OK with this, especially when they compare their before-after results!

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

You look fantastic based on your before pictures and based on the incisions that your surgeon used to perform your surgery.  You are also recently post-op as I see some steristrips still in place.  I think you really need to take a close loos at your before pictures and feel great about yourself and what you have accomplished.  

	 

	Best of Luck.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

I happen to do a lot of plastic surgery after weight loss here in New York City.  I understand that you are frustrated with your upper abdominal excess skin, but please try to satisfied with your appearance.  You look terrific and the elongated scar that would be required to go all the way up your tummy to remove this skin is probably not worth the improvement...at least it wouldn't be worth it to me if I were a patient.  Now, many times this IS worth doing, I just don't think so in your case.  i would try to make peace with the way you look now.

	Best of luck.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

What a weight loss! Congratulations?  You are still early in the healing process and need to give it time.  However, some patients have skin that completely loses its elasticity and does not contract even after it has been pulled down during the surgery.  In some cases I literally do the stretching twice during the surgery because the skin is like an elastic waistband that has stretched and won't snap back.  I note that you are slightly bent over and that would certainly distort the result.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

The other posters are being very polite to you. Yes it is great the massive weight loss. In a real world your result is excellent. Your issue is one of "realistic Expectations"! From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Still Have Loose Skin After Vertical Tummy Tuck

Answers (9)