Male tummy tuck - what are your thoughts on excess skin on each end of the incision?

Question

I had a tummy tuck and lipo 3 months ago (+ breast but diff story). Sadly developed haematoma on the right side. Pleased with my results and believe my surgeon did a good job. However, something I cannot get my mind off is the skin on both ends of the incision. I can pull it much further than I can any other part the tummy tuck affected. My skin quality was bad which I appreciate - i.e I'm not talking about quality when bending. It is just that part exactly between the abdomen and flanks

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At three months post op you are still healing from your procedure.  If you still have contour irregularities at 6 months post op typically these "dog ears" can be addressed with a minor revision in the office surgical suite either through excision, local liposuction, or both.  I encourage you to speak with your surgeon about your concerns.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear St1346,
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

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m assuming that you had successful weight loss. You developed skin laxity not only on the front of your abdomen but on the sides and back side as well.
Ideally you should’ve had an extended tummy tuck that also includes exercising skin laxity on the backside.
To do an extended tummy tuck requires turning the patient face down during surgery.
Unfortunately your surgeon did a standard tummy talk and you probably needed an extended one.
Your best option at this point is to go back and have the remainder of the skin laxity removed.
Some plastic surgeons will do that as an office base procedure and some will schedule it in the operating room.
The technical term for the skin laxity at the end of the incision is called a “dog ear”.
The treatment is to continue the skin excision further onto the backside.
I nearly your surgeon should have assessed the degree of skin laxity and how far it goes and recommended an extended tummy tuck in the first place.
20% of patients who have this procedure end up with dog ears.
Surgeons are sometimes a little apprehensive to commit to doing an extended tummy tuck.
Turning a patient during surgery and treating both the front and back side makes the procedure substantially more complex.
Simply turning a patient during general anesthesia requires six people and can take 30 to 40 minutes.
The anesthesiologist and nursing staff don’t particularly care for it but it is what’s necessary to get the correct results.
Follow up with your provider and see how here she feels about doing a revision procedure for you.
It seems fair to me that they should give you a substantial discount since they probably should’ve recommended an extended procedure in the first place.
If you don’t get the answers you’re looking for from your provider then consider having some second opinion consultations with other providers.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Male tummy tuck - what are your thoughts on excess skin on each end of the incision?

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Male tummy tuck - what are your thoughts on excess skin on each end of the incision?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

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