Loose skin abouve belly button area - is a reverse tummy tuck the best option? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I am considering a reverse tummy tuck due to loose skin above my belly button only. I had a BBL 7 years ago and this problem has only occurred since having this procedure. Would I be a suitable candidate or would I be better getting a full tummy tuck? I’m just concerned over the scarring with reverse as I don’t really want the scar to be visible in bikinis. Thanks

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

Given the picture you supplied, a reverse tummy tuck can be considered since it places the incision along the breast creases called the inframammary folds and can lift the loose skin you photograph shows. The scar will be present along the inframammary folds and may extend along the skin in between them. A more traditional tummy tuck can place the scar low down in the mons area and just above the groin creases. This can usually be well concealed by revealing clothing. My advice would be to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you who performs a lot of tummy tucks and obtain a consultation. They can examine you and after doing so, discuss these options in detail.

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photos and description in image, a cosmetic procedure can certainly help address the isolated loose skin sitting above your belly button. While a reverse tummy tuck pulls lax upper abdominal skin upward, the incisions are placed along the folds under the breasts, which can be difficult to hide in swimwear. By performing a traditional full abdominoplasty instead, we can pull the skin downward to excise that upper laxity while keeping the final scar hidden low along your bikini line. It is important to note that skin laxity following lipo-contouring behaves differently depending on tissue elasticity, and an in-person consultation and examination would be needed to closely evaluate your skin quality and determine the best tailored plan for you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jaimejj90,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. From the photos, a standard (not reverse) would give you the best results.
I wish you the best. 
Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACSDouble Board Certified Plastic SurgeonHouston, TX.

Mehmet Ozdemir, MD · Answer

Given your specific concern about bikini visibility, a reverse tummy tuck is likely going to frustrate you because its incision runs right along the inframammary folds (under the breasts) and across the sternum, meaning it will show in almost any standard bikini top. Looking at your photo, the skin laxity is heavily concentrated right above your belly button a very common late side effect after aggressive upper-abdominal liposuction from a BBL, where the skin fails to adhere smoothly back to the muscle. While a reverse abdominoplasty does pull skin upward, it can often distort the shape of the belly button into an unnatural, elongated look. Instead, you would likely be a much better candidate for a modified full tummy tuck or a high-lateral tension abdominoplasty; by placing the incision ultra-low along the pubic line, your surgeon can pull the loose upper skin downward, reshape or re-anchor your belly button perfectly, and ensure the entire scar is entirely hidden well beneath your swimwear bottoms.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

From the photo, the laxity appears to be mainly in the upper abdomen above the belly button, with less obvious lower-abdominal excess. A reverse tummy tuck can be considered for isolated upper-abdominal skin looseness, but it is a very scar-dependent operation: the incision usually sits in the inframammary/bra-line area and may be visible in some bikinis or bras, especially if the scar needs to extend.

A full tummy tuck treats both upper and lower abdominal skin and allows tightening through a lower scar, but it may be more surgery than needed if the lower abdomen is not the main issue. You would need an in-person exam to check skin mobility, scar placement, belly button position, and whether liposuction or a limited/reverse approach would give the cleanest result with the least visible scar.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

Dear Jaime,
  The operation that best suits your need to remove loose upper body skin is a reverse tummy tuck. I would definitely confine this scar to just under the inframammary fold and not cross the midline. It may extend along the lateral breast border slightly, but not so much to be visible in a bikini.
   Any residual laxity can be dealt with using a skin tightening device such as Palomar Lux IR, Thermitight RF device or similar.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There are various approaches to tummy tucks depending on the needs of the patient.  A reverse tummy tuck will pull the tissues upward resulting in a scar that spans underneath one breast to the other. There are some limitations in this approach which is why it is the most uncommon of the approaches. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to determine if this approach is the right one for you.

Loose skin abouve belly button area - is a reverse tummy tuck the best option? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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