Tummy tuck revision needed? Could this still be swelling? (Photo)

Question

Hello I had my tummy tuck done March 1st 2023. I had my last follow up with my dr at 3 months post surgery. He said there may be a little residual fat left or swelling. I didn’t use any compression (his request) I had an extended tummy tuck with lipo. Does this look like it could still be swelling? Or is a revision needed ?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Sincere494465,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I know it's hard to be patient but it's best to wait until at least 6 months before judging your final results.  Swelling could occur if you had an active day or related to diet.  Compression is usually beneficial for helping to control swelling and supporting tissues as they heal.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You will need to wait until at least 6 months from surgery to let all the swelling subsides. If you still see fullness, go back to your surgeon.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Tell me a tuck results are typically final at about six months. The only exception is the appearance of the scar which continues to change for a year and a half. At this point, you probably don’t have much swelling and what you’re seeing is approaching your final outcome. Making assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure. We always need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took. 
Your surgeon should be able to assess your abdomen and decipher which tissue layer is causing the bulge or shape of your abdomen. If you’re going to be excess, subcutaneous, fat, bulging, I’ll be abdominal wall either due to insufficient muscle tightening or access, visceral fat. Most people have a transitioning, subcutaneous fat layer that’s very thin in the groin area and is the thickest in the mid abdomen. Plastic surgeons should take this into consideration in designing the procedure, and generally reduce subcutaneous fat above the incision line so there isn’t an abrupt step off. if subcutaneous fat significantly in Liposuction may be able to improve the outcome. If visceral fat is a significant issue is indicated. It’s unusual muscle tightening is insufficient, but that could be an explanation as well. 
If your provider isn’t giving you the answers, you need, then I suggest scheduling a few in person second opinion consultations. Patients should come prepared for a second opinion consultations bringing with them copies of all before and after pictures, and a copy of your operative report.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

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