What can I do to correct the appearance of my stomach? 7 years post tummy tuck, bumpy and uneven (photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck in 2016 and a pregnancy in 2017... I'm not sure if this is from lipo or from gaining weight with the pregnancy but how can I fix the overall look of my stomach? It seems bumpy and uneven... it's not hard like fibrosis... I'm not sure what my options are and if anything can help.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding how to correct the appearance of your tummy seven years after a tummy tuck and subsequent pregnancy and weight gain. In regards to your abdomen, you have areas of irregularity. These should be corrected. I would suggest using liposuction for correction. Vaser liposuction can help to smooth irregularities, remove pockets of fat, and smooth out areas of scar tissue. I do not believe a revision tummy tuck is necessary. Please seek a plastic surgeon who specializes in revision liposuction. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your tummy seven years after a tummy tuck, which left your abdomen uneven after pregnancies and weight gain.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello !

This is a difficult question to answer based on your photos alone. This could be related to your past surgeries. Pregnancy is likely to stretch out the muscle repair that may have been done during the abdominoplasty, but does not necessarily result in localized fatty irregularities as seen in your photos. Obviously, consulting with your original surgeon would be a good place to start otherwise, a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in these issues. I hope this helps. Good luck

John Mancoll, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The lumpy bumpy of your abdomen most likely is the result of internal scarring. It’s probably made a little bit worse in your case simply by the fact that you are so thin and you don’t have a whole lot of a fatty blanket to hide this irregularities. One of the things that can be done is to go back into surgery and simply do an equalization technique. With the help of a basket cannula that might allow for freeing up and stretching of the internal scar tissue and then hopefully it would be a smoother. Frequently, in cases like this, if I can also add some fat and a fat grafting technique once you freed up the space and scar tissue, then put the fat in to hopefully allow it to heal in a smoother way. I would tell most people that I could get about a 50% improvement from where you are right now with this technique. Another option might be to just go back and redo the tummy tuck. The downside of that would include a little longer recovery. The stiffness and lack of excess skin in the abdominal wall. At this point in your life, probably would not allow for a lot of skin removal, and as a result, the defect where the belly button is, will most likely have to be close is an up-and-down scar along the midline of your lower abdomen. It’s also very possible the tissues are stiff enough that it’s not gonna move much at all, in which case you could just do a float technique of the belly button, and then simply open it up to release the scar tissue, put a little bit tighter and then re-close. I would discuss all of these options with you if you are in my office considering surgery. Good luck on your body contouring journey.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Concreteeuphoria,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

David Plank, MD · Answer

A board-certified plastic surgeon is qualified to address your issues. Board-certified plastic surgeons have spent years of training and have the top level of experience and skill. Seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon for your cosmetic needs

What can I do to correct the appearance of my stomach? 7 years post tummy tuck, bumpy and uneven (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Uneven skin

Answer: Uneven skin

Answer: Abdominal improvement

Answer: Abdominal improvement

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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

What can I do to correct the appearance of my stomach? 7 years post tummy tuck, bumpy and uneven (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Uneven skin

Answer: Uneven skin

Answer: Abdominal improvement

Answer: Abdominal improvement

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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