Why do I have so much loose skin after a FDL extended Tummy Tuck?

Question

Surgery March 10, 2015 Extended fleur-de-lis tummy tuck (no MR and no LIPO) Day before surgery 179. Current weight 169 Insurance paid for panniculectomy but my surgeon advised I should upgrade to a fleur-de-list so that he could remove more skin from my upper stomach and give me a defined waist.Sitting down, I have a big roll of fat on my upper stomach . Bending over, I have a huge amount of gross loose hanging skin. Why??

Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi KAT_P, photos would have been helpful. Nonetheless, please know that loose skin when bending over is common after a tummy tuck in large weight loss patients. Generally speaking, stretched skin has poor elastic recoil or snap so the degree of shaping may be limited. Also, you should judge the adequacy of tissue removal when standing upright as most people will see you. The tummy folds when seated in most people (even youngsters with good skin tone) and if you have so much tissue removed that when seated, it is flat, you would experience difficulty standing upright or even reaching backwards as the tissue doesn't have any give to it. Your plastic surgeon will monitor you in case a touch up is indicated, and the opportunity to further discuss this is your postoperative clinic visits. Good luck! Dr Doolabh, Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Ron Hazani, MD, FACS · Answer

Without photos it is difficult to identify your problem but in general in order to remove all the excess skin in the upper abdomen, the incision has to extend to your cleavage area which can be disturbing to patients.

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

You are just about 8 weeks out from our surgery, so try to be patient. It takes about 6 months to see your final result especially if you have a big surgery like you did. It is hard to comment specifically about your case without seeing pre-op photos and current photos. I would recommend talking to your PS as he would know best what your realistic expectations should be.

Why do I have so much loose skin after a FDL extended Tummy Tuck?

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Why do I have so much loose skin after a FDL extended Tummy Tuck?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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