2 years after tummy tuck, visible gap below belly button. Has my muscle repair failed? What are my options? (photos)

Dear Sunnyskies99,
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

From your photos it appears the muscle repair may have failed in the lower part of your abdomen. Testing may be helpful to confirm this. If it has then a revision will be needed correct it. The contour irregularities if related to excess fat can be addressed with liposuction. When seated it is normal to have some excess skin so I would not be concerned about that.

Nicely posted series of TT photos. Best to obtain in office ultrasound examination where the lower abdomen can be examined and a dx of split muscles, or fat areas or both can be made. Then either revision of lower abdominal TT with muscle re plication or just lipo if indicated. Fees either $5,000 vs $4,000. Best to virtual consult with....

Take me to results are always judged in an upright standing position. Everyone is going to have skin laxity with skin folds while sitting. it’s not possible to have a tight smooth skin with your hips fully flexed. if your skin was tight in a sitting position you wouldn’t be able to stand up straight.
To get a good understanding of what the infraumbilical contour represents try using your fingertips and try to feel the thickness of your subcutaneous fat in that area and surrounding areas. The area just above your incision used to be the skin and fat layer just above your belly button before the skin was pulled down. most people have a fairly substantial layer of midline subcutaneous fat above their belly button. this skin and the fat layer would’ve been moved down and would now be in the area of concern.
With your finger gently push against your skin until you feel the underlying muscle wall. That is the thickness of your subcutaneous fat. Around your belly button is probably about half an inch. did the same on your mid lower abdomen and see if the fat layer is thin or if the contour represents a defect or indentation in the muscle wall itself. You should be able to feel the muscle wall there and in adjacent areas and see if it’s flat and even or if the contour of the muscle wall itself has an indentation.
You didn’t include a good frontal picture. is the picture showing the indented lower abdomen with you laying on your back?
To get a proper second opinion I suggest scheduling those is in person consultations with other local board-certified plastic surgeons.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD