Lots of loose skin when I bend. Any suggestions? (photos)

Question

Hi. I am a little over 1 year PO from a TT with MR. On the whole I'm relatively happy with my results although my flanks are still huge even though I had lipo there. My big concern is the amount of lose skin I have hanging down when I bend over. When I stand, my tummy is quite firm so I know further skin removal isn't an option. Is it possible that my tummy skin hasn't "adhered" properly to my muscle wall?? My tummy still feels "jiggly". I don't think my PS is too concerned but I really am...

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and it looks as if you have a nice result.  There does appear to be some mild skin excess residual from your tummy tuck as seen in your first picture, but I think that the majority of extra skin you have is in a horizontal direction.  Unfortunately this can only be removed through a vertical excision along the middle of your stomach, which most patients that do not have an existing scar there may find off-putting.  Voice your concerns to your surgeon, they will best be able to provide a reason for the skin excess and possible treatment options.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

I wonder if you had previously lost a large amount of weight. Often, when the excess skin is not just "top -to-bottom" but also "all-around" there will still be laxity when bending forward. In a body structure like yours, to improve this significantly may require a vertical scar from the pubis to the breastbone.You could always get a second opinion from a plastic surgeon experienced in body contouring surgery after massive weight loss.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

YES! Don't bend. But seriously this is the typical geometry issue of sequences of distances. Best to see your surgeon to explain this issue.

Barbara Jemec, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your questionYour skin may have lost it's elasticity, which means that it won't contract when not stretched to the max, so you get loose skin when you bend over/sit down etcYou can try Thermage, which some people say give good results for extra shrinkage, if, as you say there is no more scope to remove skin, but nothing will give you the elasticity back.The skin might also not be adherent to the abdominal wall, it can be stitched onto it, with a re-operation, but again it will do nothing for the elasticity.Your tummy looks fantastic from the side standing up.

Theodore Nyame, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your pictures it is hard to guess what could be causing this excess skin. It may likely be redundant skin that is adherent to the abdomen. I would discuss this with your plastic surgeon who can examine you. Best wishes Theodore T Nyame MD

Lots of loose skin when I bend. Any suggestions? (photos)

Answers (5)