Why do I still have so much extra skin 6mos post op? (Photos)

Hello and thank you for submitting your photos. After performing thousands of abdominoplasty procedures and mommy makeovers, I want to say that you have a very nice result. Your breast shape and volume and your scarring are very good. What is happening to your abdomen is absolutely normal after tummy tuck. It does not mean that the surgeon did not try to pull you tight enough it is a situation related to the fragility and weakness of your overall skin. I am impressed that your breasts have not already begun to stretch significantly because that would be the expectation over time. When any patient bends over slightly after surgery there is always going to be some extra skin as we do not walk around hunched over. When you stand straight with proper posture that skin should stretch and not wrinkle at the bottom. Overall what I am seeing with you is a case of a very light skinned Caucasian woman who has very fragile skin with significant stretch marks that is leading to the cosmetic result that you are not satisfied with. After waiting for one year after surgery an attempt could be made to remove further skin to enhance the result. That would be one option for you. Happy to help you along your journey.
Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS, FAACSDiplomate, American Board of SurgeryDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryDiplomate, American Board of Cosmetic SurgeryDiplomate, American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery

I think the best thing is to have a discussion with your surgeon so that he or she can address your areas of concern. No surgeon here will be able to give you any more specific of an answer.

Thank you for your question and photos! Looking at your photos, it does look like you may need more skin excised from your abdomen. I recommend going back to your surgeon and discussing your concerns with him or her. Sometimes, a post op revision is necessary. Best of luck!

It appears that there remains additional loose skin that can be removed and further tightening achieved.
Large implants have a tendency to bottom out plus there is asymmetry present which may have been present pre-op. I suggest that you give it additional time to heal and discuss with your Operating Surgeon your concerns at your 1 year post-op appt

Because of the laxity of your abdomen, I do not believe that you had a full tummy tuck, as a full tummy tuck addresses both the loose skin and the lax abdominal wall as to give a nice, flat youthful contour to the abdomen. The tummy tuck also creates a more youthful belly button. Tummy tuck without muscle repair may make the recovery easier, but, if you have laxity in that area, the result will be better with plication. In general, the muscles should be brought to anatomic norms. The smaller the separation, the less tightening required and the less discomfort.

Thank you for sharing your pictures. It is hard to tell from the pictures what type of tummy tuck you had. It seems like not enough skin was removed, a mini tummy tuck would cause that due as it only focuses on the lower part of the abdomen. Based on that, unfortunately, I would recommend getting a tummy tuck revision... I would advise you to talk to your surgeon about it.

Hello @Sandyd2226, thank you for your question. It is important to analyze what type of technique the surgeon used and whether he did muscle plication or not and to evaluate if there is something else at a systemic level. It is important that you have a consultation with a board certified specialist to determine a surgical plan according to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS),International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Sorry to hear your not happy with your results. It does seem like there is still plenty excess skin on your tummy. I can see a scar on the bottom part of your abdomen, but I cannot see a scar around your belly button. If you do not have this scar then you might of had a mini tummy tuck performed instead of a full traditional TT. This would explain the remaining excess skin.

From your pre-op photos I can see that you had lots of excess skin above and bellow your navel, and this can only be corrected with a traditional tummy tuck. I believe you need a tummy tuck revision. But please understand that because of the amount of stretch marks, your skin quality isn’t at its best. This means that no matter how much skin is removed, you will never be as tight as you where before pregnancy.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and it does appear that you have some retained loose skin in your upper and lower abdomen. This may have been as a result of your stretch marks and elastic skin quality, or your surgeon feeling it safer to leave additional skin behind based on how it responded during surgery. Difficult to comment on your implants and the potential for bottoming out, if your tissues have a significant stretch quality, then a mesh placement may be beneficial. In either case a surgical revision may be warranted. talk to your surgeon and explain your concerns, I am sure they will work with you to get you closer to your goal results as they want a satisfied patient.

Dear Sandyd2226,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went 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