19 days post op, panniculectomy regret. How soon can I get it fixed? Or am I just still swollen? (photos)

Question

19 days post opt panniculectomy and I’m not happy with the results as well as my belly button looks horrible and looks infected only wound care instructions I was given was take shower daily and let the soap and water fall on it. Will I still have these handles on the sides, will my belly button look deformed? How soon can I do a tummy tuck?

Babak Moeinolmolki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Based on your pictures, I am concerned that weight loss is necessary before you undergo a revisional tummy tuck. Obesity causes a higher incidence of wound complications such as poor healing and infection, thus many plastic surgeons will not operate on patients with a BMI >30. Based on your pictures, a gastric sleeve may be an excellent option for you. Once your weight stabilizes you can undergo a tummy tuck and body contouring. A tummy tuck will address the concerns you have about your belly button, making you you have a more normal-appearing and normally positioned navel.
I suggest you meet with a bariatric surgeon to discuss surgical options for weight loss.
Best wishes,
Dr. Moein

Thomas J. Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  I'm sorry that you are unhappy, but it is best to be patient especially this early after your surgery.   The swelling, bruising, and wound healing can take months after surgery to finally resolve.  
A panniculectomy is an insurance based procedure where we can only amputate the excess skin from the front of the abdomen.  A tummy tuck involves redraping the skin, repositioning the belly button, and sometimes tightening the connective tissue overlying the rectus muscles.  In order to deal with the sides and back skin excess, we can do a belt lipectomy.  This is a more involved surgery, and will leave you with a scar going around the waistine from front to back.

19 days post op, panniculectomy regret. How soon can I get it fixed? Or am I just still swollen? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Panniculectomy

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19 days post op, panniculectomy regret. How soon can I get it fixed? Or am I just still swollen? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Panniculectomy

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