How can I smooth skin post tummy tuck? (Photo)

Hello STEPHFORN,
Thank you for reaching out with your question about how to address skin smoothing post-mini tummy tuck, especially considering the loose skin above the belly button. Your situation is indeed a common outcome following a mini tummy tuck.
In a mini tummy tuck, the skin dissection is limited to the area from the pubic region to the belly button, and the belly button itself is not altered. This often results in untouched and potentially loose skin above the belly button, as the belly button acts as an anchor, preventing further downward skin tightening.
To resolve this issue, you might consider a full tummy tuck or an umbilicoplasty. A full tummy tuck would address the loose skin comprehensively, potentially including the tightening of the rectus abdominis muscles for a more contoured appearance. An umbilicoplasty, on the other hand, involves making an incision around the belly button to specifically tighten the skin in that area.
Both options have their unique considerations, and the best choice depends on your specific goals and the extent of loose skin. It's crucial to discuss these options with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the most suitable approach for your needs.
Wishing you the best in achieving your desired outcome.
Sincerely,

You will need a full tummy tuck with possible umbilicoplasty. There will be very little skin resected but the skin has to be dissected from the underlying fascia to eliminate the contour irregularities from the JPlasma. There will be a small amount of skin resected inferiorly and a small amount of skin excised peri-umbilically to correct the contour deformity.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Achieving smooth skin post-tummy tuck surgery involves a combination of proper wound care, scar management techniques, and lifestyle habits to support healing. Here are some strategies to help smooth and improve the appearance of your skin after a tummy tuck:1. Follow Post-operative Care Instructions: Adhere to your plastic surgeon's post-operative care instructions diligently. This typically involves keeping the surgical site clean and dry, wearing compression garments as recommended, and avoiding strenuous activities or movements that could strain the healing tissues.2. Massage Therapy: Gentle massage techniques, such as lymphatic drainage massage or scar massage, may help improve circulation, soften scar tissue, and promote smoother skin texture. However, it's crucial to consult with your plastic surgeon before starting any massage therapy to ensure that it's safe and appropriate for your individual healing process.3. Scar Management: Use scar management techniques to minimize the appearance of scars and promote better skin healing. This may include applying silicone gel or sheets to the scar site, using topical creams or ointments recommended by your plastic surgeon, and protecting the scar from sun exposure to prevent hyperpigmentation.4. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Hydration is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and promoting overall skin health.5. Nutritious Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support skin healing and regeneration. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet to provide your body with essential nutrients for optimal recovery.6. Avoid Smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting or avoiding smoking during the recovery period and beyond. Smoking can impair circulation, delay wound healing, and increase the risk of complications, including poor skin healing and scarring.7. Protect Your Skin: Protect the treated area from sun exposure by applying sunscreen with a high SPF rating and wearing protective clothing when outdoors. Sun exposure can worsen the appearance of scars and lead to uneven pigmentation.8. Be Patient: Remember that skin healing takes time, and it's normal for scars to initially appear red, raised, or firm before gradually improving over several months to a year. Be patient and consistent with your skincare routine and follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon.If you have specific concerns about the appearance or texture of your skin post-tummy tuck, consult with your plastic surgeon for recommendations and guidance tailored to your individual needs and healing process.

From the posted photos it appears the full tummy tuck would have been a better choice for you. To improve your current abdominal contours you will need a full tummy tuck. The belly button should be addressed with the full tuck.

To make an accurate assessment regarding the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
From your pictures it looks like you had poorly done Liposuction.
Was that done before your current procedure was the liposuction done in combination with your mini tummy tuck?
J plasma typically does nothing but create pain and scar tissue.
Based on your pictures, it looks like you should’ve had a full tummy tuck and skipped Liposuction and Jay plasma.
It doesn’t look like fat distribution is an issue in your case, and you have skin laxity of your abdomen, either due to age, weight, loss, or previous pregnancy.
Choosing procedures should be based on having a clear understanding of what the underlying problem or ideology is.
In other words, the first step is to make an accurate assessment or diagnosis.
There are four tissue variables that determine what the abdomen looks like.
Patients should choose procedures that treat the primary underlying problem.
The four tissue variables that determine what looks like are the following.
Abdominal skin laxity typically due to previous pregnancies, weight, loss, or loss of skin elasticity from age.
Excess Subcutaneous fat.
Muscle separation from previous pregnancy.
Excess Visceral or intra-abdominal fat.
In your case, it appears skid laxity was the primary issue, and you had skill laxity of your upper and lower abdomen.
The liposuction that was done was done poorly and it left you with an uneven, fat distribution.
Action results should be considered permanent, and reversible.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of provider selection when it comes to having liposuction.
Delivering consistent quality liposuction results, including the ability to make accurate assessments and deliver predictable outcomes is far more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons who have truly mastered this procedure is small.
Most plastic surgeons are not as good as Liposuction as they think they are.
Once done, it’s difficult to improve the outcome.
in your case, converting this to a full tummy tuck, which should’ve been the correct procedure in the first time is probably your best option.
That still isn’t going to address the uneven fat distribution from the poorly down Lipo section, but it will address the primary problem, which was initially skin laxity.
Unfortunately, the sales and hype of J plasma failed to deliver time and time again.
The device is good at making money for the provider, but is terrible at delivering actual results.
I speak from firsthand experience and have owned device and since sold it because it literally delivered nothing other than cost, pain, frustration, and disappointment.
I suggest you cut bait from your current provider and seek in person consultations from plastic surgeons who have a solid track record for tummy tuck procedures.
There is no non-surgical option, and there is no gentler soft way to improve your outcome.
Unfortunately, your assessment and the application of the procedure were both done incorrectly in your case.
You were never a great candidate for Liposuction, but had the procedure been done well , you would’ve at least had a normal appearing abdomen.
I’m sorry this happened to you and hope that you can get the help and support and surgical care that you deserve.I think you should discuss your outcome with your provider and let them know what you think about the outcome.
Perhaps you can get them to stop doing what they’re doing to save other people from being left disfigured.
Writing, honest, professionally based reviews may also be appreciated by others, considering having the same treatment by the same provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD