8 months post-op, does my tummy tuck look normal? (photos)

Hello and thank you for your question. Without performing a physical examination or seeing your preoperative photos it is hard to assess how dramatic your result was. Overall your scar is low and very thin and flat not overly pigmented. There doesn't appear to be excessive loose skin. Many factors can contribute to your postoperative result and some of the things that a tummy tuck cannot address is how strong your abdominal muscles are and/or how much visceral fat there is underneath the abdominal muscle. Weak abdominal muscles and visceral fat can contribute to abdominal bulging. Surgeons will try to take as much skin and fat as they deem is safe given your anatomy. You can ask your surgeon if any more skin can safely be removed at this point although I think you have a result that looks good. Best of luck to you.

It's difficult to comment on your results without seeing preop photos but it does appear there is room for improvement. There is further skin that can be excised and liposuction could be added for further contouring. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Dear Lise L,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine is there something wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I see the area pf your concern. Assuming that your Dr performed a muscle plication to bring the abdominal muscles close together, this overhang may be fat that will need second stage liposuction. You should consult with you plastic surgeon.

From your pictures it looks like you had a mini tummy tuck. I don’t see the scar around your belly button which is one of the things you get from a full tummy tuck.

If this was a full tummy tuck then you may have been somewhat under treated. If this however was a mini tummy tuck then you got exactly what you signed up for a “mini” tummy tuck.

During a mini tummy tuck the surgeon does not separate the belly button from the abdominal skin and muscle tightening is not possible except for the lower part of the abdomen.
To make an assessment on the outcome of a procedure we really need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures and ask your provider to forward the ones they took.

It’s very important to differentiate what kind of tummy tuck you had.

Everyone has a skin fold when their hips are fully flexed in a sitting position. If the skin is tight in full hip flexion then someone wouldn’t be able to stand up.

In your case the results are a little underwhelming but I think the reason is that you had a mini procedure which is going to give you a mini result.

If this represents a full tummy tuck then perhaps your surgeon could’ve been more aggressive but without seeing before pictures we can’t really make an assessment.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD