9 months post extended tummy tuck - Is this skin laxity or residual fat? (photos)

Hi straightforward1695,

Thank you for your question regarding if the issue is skin laxity or residual fat nine months after an extended tummy tuck. I appreciate the detailed history and the pictures you've provided. Based on your extended tummy tuck images, your results appear to be outstanding. In your standing position picture, your abdomen is remarkably flat. All your tummy tuck scars have healed well. Even in your profile view, you maintain a nice, flat stomach. It's evident that there's some skin laxity when you sit; however, having a bit of skin laxity post-tummy tuck is entirely expected. It's essential to retain SOME surplus skin to allow comfortable sitting. If all the skin were removed while seated, standing straight would be a challenge. The skin laxity evident in your photos likely stems from the 18-pound weight loss post-surgery. I'm inclined to believe it isn't fat, especially considering the weight you've shed. It wouldn't align with logic to deem it residual fat. I surmise the extra skin is more pronounced because, post-tummy tuck, your abdomen was taut, and subsequently, you shed additional weight. The sole method to address this lax skin is through a revision tummy tuck. Yet, it's crucial to note that this residual skin laxity isn't due to the tummy tuck but rather a consequence of the 18-pound weight loss following the procedure. This underscores the importance of undergoing plastic surgery after reaching one's weight loss goals. Eighteen pounds is indeed substantial. I hope this clarifies your concerns about potential skin laxity or residual fat nine months after your extended tummy tuck. I wish you the best in your continued journey.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hello, my name is Dr. Burko and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. It is difficult to judge solely based on photos, and without seeing photos prior to surgery. It is possible that you have either residual fat or some skin laxity. At the time of surgery, we pull the upper abdominal tissue as tight as safely possible. Sometimes, going extra tight can lead to wound complications where a surgeon may feel it is too risky. Also, if there is residual fat after an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), it is common to need a 2nd stage where only liposuction is performed to get an ideal result. I recommend you see your plastic surgeon and discuss your options.

It is common to have some residual skin laxity after a tummy tuck especially noticeable while sitting. You can have a revision with more skin removed if you like. It’s a pretty straightforward revision to undergo

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Based on your pictures alone I would anticipate this is skin laxity. Although it appears you have a nice result from your procedure a plank position best identifies loose/excess horizontal skin which could only be removed with a vertical incision running from your breast bone down towards your horizontal scar - an appearance most women do not wish to entertain. I would recommend discussing your current results with your surgeon in order to get the best advice and any further treatment recommendations as they know the full details of your procedure and recovery

Things will still bunch up when you bend or sit down. An examination is needed to see if you have any residual fat. If you do, liposuction can be done. If it is internal, you will need to change your diet.

All patients will have some redundancy when sitting even after a tummy tuck. From the photos it appears you may have some excess fat as well as skin. I encourage you to visit with your surgeon to discuss your concerns and how to improve your results. If you are intending to lose further weight you should complete that goal before any touch ups.

Any time you have more weight loss following a major surgery like a tummy tuck, you risk having residual skin laxity. In you specific case, most of this appears to be skin laxity and could be alleviated with a tummy tuck scar revision.

Best on posted pii hi Otis I recommend lipo with skin tightening J -Plasma. Fee $7,000. Best to virtual consult with….

To make an assessment regarding the outcome of a cosmetic surgical procedure we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. Individuals who developed significant skin laxity from previous pregnancies or weight loss typically are going to have skin laxity in a vertical and horizontal direction. Excessive vertical skin laxity can be removed with a tummy tuck and this sometimes requires an extended tummy tuck on individuals who have skin laxity that continues onto their backside. With the single incision only vertical skin laxity can be removed. To remove horizontal skin laxity requires adding an additional incision in the midline of the abdomen, often referred to as a fleur-de-lis pattern.
For many people that scar is undesirable and living with some horizontal skin laxity is a fair trade off for not having the extra scar.
We don’t make assessments regarding the outcome of this procedure in the sitting position. All people have skin laxity when their hips are flexed to allow for a full torso extension.
If you think, adding a stem to stern, vertical scar is worth it to get extra skin tightening, then talk to your plastic surgeon about converting this to a fleur-de-lis pattern. Tummy tuck.
Even though we don’t have before pictures, your result looks like a properly done extended tummy tuck.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD