I am 39 years old, am 5ft 2in tall and weigh 100 pounds and after 3 c-sections (third was vertical) had a lot of loose skin around the bikini line and vertical scar.
I just had a mini tummy tuck 2 weeks ago and still see loose skin, along with swelling and bruising. Is that normal? Will it tighten up and when?
Without a photograph it is impossible to specifically answer your question except in generalities.
The vast majority of patients do NOT have loose tummy skin after a well performed tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty). From your history of 3 C-sections (last one by vertical incision (?reason), I think your choosing to have a mini-tummy tuck was ill advised and is the reason for this result.
Not all Tummy Tuck procedure are applicable much less produce equivalent results in all women. Consider the reasons for a second. With the massive extension and stretching of the abdomen in EACH pregnancy (much more so with 3), the abdominal wall muscles and their connections are stretched resulting in a larger abdominal cavity AND a separation (diastasis) of the rectus (six pack) muscles which cannot be restored by anything except surgery. The overlying skin, everything from the rib margins above to the rim of the hips and pelvis below is stretched until it resembles a spinning top. After delivery, there is SOME shrinkage of the skin but you are left with a pooch / overhang related to the excesses of abdominal wall laxity.
To restore your figure to the BEFORE-pregnancy look, each one of these components must be corrected. A Mini-tummy tuck removes skin excess below the belly button (leaving excess skin above) AND repairs the muscle separation below the belly button ONLY leaving the separation above and stretched out abdominal wall uncorrected.
While the mini-tummy tuck may be acceptable in a woman without muscle separation and minimal loose skin confined to below the belly button, it is really a rather poor choice for someone with your clinical presentation.
You can read much more about TUMMY TUCK and MOMMY MAKEOVER at the comprehensive link below -
Dr. P. Aldea
Web reference: http://www.surgicalimages.com/plastic-surgery/mini-tummy-tuck.cfm
With loose skin you may have been a better candidate for a full tummy tuck. I find that most patients are better full candidates than minis.
Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com
Based on the information you provided, 2 weeks post-op surgery is far too soon to see the results. It is not uncommon for you to have loose skin at this point during the healing process. As time passes, swelling and bruising will subside. You will notice drastic changes over the next few weeks. I recommend taking it easy and wearing the abdominal binder to help minimize swelling. Final results can usually be seen at about 6 months to a year. If you hav any issues or concerns, consult with your plastic surgeon as soon as possible to avoid any complications during this time. Take care and good luck.
You will see an immediate improvement. Then, there will be more swelling over next week and it decreasing slowly after that. The advantageous of a mini tuck are a smaller scar and shorter recovery. The disadvantegeous is that it may not remove all your excess skin.
It's a little unusual to see loose skin immediately following a mini tummy tuck, but you do need to wait at least 3-6 months to fully evaluate your results. It's possible that a full tummy tuck might have been indicated, or that your skin has very little elasticity. I suggest addressing these concerns with your surgeon who knows your anatomy, and who can guide you appropriately. Good luck, /nsn.
If you are two weeks after a mini TT and have loose skin, one of two things is happening. Either you really needed a full TT and didn't get it or your stretch marked skin is lax enough that even when all extra is removed, the skin still lacks tone and moves easily. One thing is almost certain though, it won't be tightening up on its own.
Web reference: http://www.randcosmeticsugery.com
Typically a full tummy tuck is performed with a vertical c section unless there is insufficient skin laxity. However, there are many reasons why a mini may be preferred over a full. Generally the skin tends to be very tight within two weeks. The skin may temporarily be loose following resolution of swelling and prior to development of fibrosis from liposuction and you may be within this time period. At this point, I would give it time as there is little to do until 3-4 months following the procedure.
After any surgical procedure there will be swelling and bruising that takes time to resolve. The bruising should resolve in a month but swelling can last up to 3 months. Do not worry about needing any revisions until at least 3 months time. You should always discuss your concerns with you plastic surgeon.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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