Muffin Top Post Op with No Lipo? (photo)

It’s early in the post-operative course and you’re still
extremely swollen.  Despite this
swelling, it’s obvious from your pictures that you have several areas of
concern that will probably require additional treatment.  These include a high incision, redundant
tissue extending posteriorly into your flank region and residual fat including
your lower abdominal skin flaps.

                It’s
highly probable, that these issues will require revisional surgery at some
point in time.  Although the resolution
of swelling may help, it probably won’t be enough to avoid secondary
surgery.  In this particular case,
efforts to lower the incision would be appropriate.  This could be combined with extension of the
incision to correct the flank roll.  In
addition liposuction of the abdomen could thin the abdominal flap as well.  It’s important that revisional surgery not be
undertaken for at least six months.  This
allows adequate time for swelling to resolve and the situation to stabilize.

                It’s
important to maintain close contact with your plastic surgeon.  Your surgeon should be able to formulate a
treatment plan that addresses your concerns. 
If you’re dissatisfied with your surgeon’s response, it may be
appropriate to get a second opinion.

 

It appears that your incision may be placed too high however, I suggest you allow about 3 months to pass before you return to your surgeon to discuss your results. At this time, you are still early on in your recovery as you mentioned and it's better to see how you progress. This is true for your breast results as well.

thanks for your ? and pic. I agree that your incision appears high and the contour is not yet ideal laterally. Without a preop view however it is hard to be too judgmental. Sometimes as the swelling subsides, this will improve. If the skin elasticity is poor it is oftentimes hard to get as smooth and tight a contour as we want. Most of the time we combine liposuction with the TT at the initial procedure. If there is a lot of skin excess and poor elasticity then we will resect skin posteriorly. Once you are closer to 6 months out it will be easier to tell where you stand. Best of luck!

Dogears do not disappear with resolution of swelling. The picture demonstrates what appears to be excess skin laterally although it's a bit early to make a pronouncement. It is due to swelling it will go away with time. If it is a dog ear. It will require a surgical revision.

   At 7 days you are very swollen, belly and breasts alike.  The scar on the tummy tuck may appear too high now but may change in appearance as swelling goes down.  The breasts will definitely decreased in size as swelling goes down.  If after 6 months to a year, the scar on the tummy tuck is not to your liking, discuss this with your plastic surgeon.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Poorly done TT with residual lateral dog ear deformities, too high incision placement. Can not tell the appearance of implanted breasts in covered photo. Was your surgeon a boarded PS? 

Thank you for your quesiton and photos. You are correct, your incision is too high and the contour is not acceptable.  It is too early to evaluate the results of your TT, but if they persist beyond 3 months, then a revision is in order. Your surgeon should want you to be happy and willing to improve upon his work.  Hope this helps. All the best.

Early anxiety after any cosmetic surgical procedure is understandable as you had a level of expectation and this was not met.  Please give it more time to settle down and express your concerns to your plastic surgeon in a very non confrontational manner.  If you have concerns once you reach the 6  month period then discuss revision of the scar.  From my personal stand point the scar does look a bit high but hindsight is 20/20.  

Understandably you are worried and concerned but it is very hard to know how things settle over the next 2 to 6 months. At 6 weeks most of the swelling in the breast should resolve and at 12 weeks in the abdomen. It takes 6 months to a year for the final result to show. Follow up closely with your surgeon and if revision is needed make sure you discuss his policy with him.

Good luck

You are only 7 days after surgery, the swelling will come down in 6-12 weeks.

 The abdominoplasty incision is way too high and will require revision , if there is enough skin laxity to pull it down. Only time will tell. Noticed the drains are not dressed , the drains require care  follow your plastic surgeon advise on that.