Loose skin on stomach after weight loss - would a reverse tummy tuck be a good option? (Photos)

Question

I have lost 6 stone over the last 4 years. I have very lean and train. But I have loose skin that bothers me on my stomach I have tried injectables, morpheous 8 and endo which made no difference. Would I be suitable for a reverse tummy tuck

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

Based on the photos, you appear to have mild to moderate skin laxity following significant weight loss. Whether a reverse tummy tuck is appropriate depends on where the excess skin is located. If the laxity is primarily in the upper abdomen, a reverse tummy tuck may be beneficial. However, if the excess skin involves both the upper and lower abdomen, a standard or extended abdominoplasty may provide a more comprehensive result. A physical examination by a board-certified plastic surgeon is necessary to determine the most suitable approach.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

I would recommend the more standard way of rejuvenating abdominal skin with lower abdominal skin removal and an umbilical transposition. Reverse abdominplasty is useful, but in specialized situations where a prior procedure did not completely address the upper abdominal skin laxity; or the rare situation where all of the laxity is above the umbilicus. Also know that if you muscles are tight with no diastasis, then a full tummy tuck/abdominoplasty is not necessary and would be overkill with significantly higher complications across the board, general anesthesia, drains etc . . . I would recommend skin excision with umbilical transposition (no muscle tightening) which can be done with an oral cocktail of sedatives and local tumescent anesthesia: no drains, no major downtime, and lower complication rate. I hope this helps. Thank you for sharing. Also, a full abdominal photo including pubis would be helpful in decision making.

Mehmet Ozdemir, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you appear to have mild to moderate abdominal skin laxity after significant weight loss. A reverse tummy tuck may be appropriate if the excess skin is primarily located in the upper abdomen. However, if the laxity also involves the lower abdomen, a traditional tummy tuck or a combination approach may provide a better overall result. An in-person examination is necessary to determine the most suitable procedure.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

A reverse tummy tuck can take care of upper abdominal skin. At the same time, a mini tummy tuck can be done for the lower abdominal skin, if necessary. However, there is an alternative. Your breasts appear large and low on the chest wall. There is a breast lift called the Bellesoma, which lifts the breasts and upper abdominal skin, much like a reverse tummy tuck. The breasts are reshaped creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Congrats on your weight loss !  Frpom the photos, I see the skin excess but my guess is you have lower excess as well. A standard tummy tuck (or body lift) is by far the best option to remove excess skin especially after your 80lb weight loss.

My experience with the reverse tummy tuck is they are not too powerful...good for some smaller issues but they fall short in many other ways.  Cheers from across the pond in Texas !

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Based on these photos, you are a great candidate for a reverse tummy tuck. It seems that most of your skin laxity is above the belly button, so this procedure should address it well.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Congratulations on losing 6 stone, that is a major achievement. A reverse tummy tuck, where the scar is hidden under the breast crease, works well when the loose skin is mainly in the upper abdomen; for most patients after weight loss the laxity is strongest in the lower abdomen, where a standard tummy tuck fits better. Energy and injectable treatments like Morpheus8 and Endolift rarely move the needle on true loose skin, so it is not surprising those made no difference for you. Which lift suits you really depends on where your excess skin actually sits, so an assessment mapping upper versus lower laxity would point to the right operation for your body.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

What stands out in the photos is loose upper and central abdominal skin with a horizontal fold, which is common after major weight loss even in someone who is lean and trains regularly.

A reverse tummy tuck can help only a very specific pattern of upper abdominal skin excess, usually with the scar hidden along the lower breast fold. It does not treat lower abdominal looseness well and will not tighten muscle separation if that is present. If the laxity extends around the belly button or lower abdomen, a standard or modified tummy tuck may give a more complete result. An in-person exam is needed to test skin mobility, scar placement, muscle tone, and whether the looseness is mostly upper-abdominal before choosing between reverse tummy tuck, mini/full tummy tuck, or no further surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss!  From the photos it appears you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck to address your loose skin.  An exam and discussion of your goals is needed to determine if you are a good candidate for the reverse tummy tuck.  It's important to discuss both pros and cons of each approach with a board certified plastic surgeon.  I've attached a video I hope you find helpful.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

Hello. Based on your photos and description, I recommend you send me clearer photos of your abdomen (front, side, and oblique views) while wearing underwear so I can properly assess your case.From what you've shared, it seems the excess skin would be best corrected with a traditional abdominoplasty, rather than a reverse abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty is usually the most effective procedure for removing excess skin after significant weight loss and achieving a flatter, smoother abdomen.A personalized evaluation is necessary to determine which procedure is most suitable based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Loose skin on stomach after weight loss - would a reverse tummy tuck be a good option? (Photos)

Answers (10)

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