Will my tummy tuck overhang settle? (photo)

Question

I had a C section 3 yrs ago, and scar was 6 ins wide, with skin overhanging. This was not dramatic, but did bother me as showed through some clothes. This year I had to have a hysterectomy for fibroids and surgeon said he would go in via my scar and tidy it. On my discharge notes it says abdominoplasty, and he said he took about 2 inches of skin. I am now 4 weeks post and scar is wider and my overhang is worse. I am really not happy with the result. Is it too soon to know if this will settle?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

You had operations performed by a gynecologist. These medical specialist are not trained to perform body contouring procedures.  Plastic surgeons are trained in body contouring.  Your overhang may persists since it is very doubtful that you had an abdominoplasty!  Consult with a plastic surgeon.

	 

	Dr. ES

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

This is the reason to ALWAYS consult with a boarded PLASTIC SURGERY. Your issue was the few inches were NOT enough removal to obtain an acceptable result.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

They do like to call removal of excess skin abdominoplasties but they really are not. They are simply removing OBVIOUS excesses of skin and lengthening your incision a little. If this was done as a courtesy to you as part of your medical procedure, you have no grounds to complain. If you paid extra to have this done, you should be talking about your concerns to your doctor and see what he/she can do to resolve your concerns and improve your results.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Unfortunately, the 'little' operation you had was not a true tummy tuck and the result speaks for itself.There is no reason to expect it to improve with more time as there remains a tissue excess that is not magically going to shrink down with more healing. You are in need of a true tummy tuck performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

See a board certified plastic surgeon, it looks like you need an full tummy tuck. What you had done might have helped you, but it will not replace a full tummy tuck with an umbilical transposition.

Will my tummy tuck overhang settle? (photo)

Answers (9)