Worried about tummy tuck results. Is this just swelling or is something wrong?

Dear Rational829879,
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

Thank you for sharing your concerns. It's completely natural to worry when the results you were expecting aren't materializing as quickly as you'd hoped. It's important to remember that healing from a procedure like a mini tummy tuck and liposuction can take time. Each body reacts differently and at its own pace.

Considering your history of an infected seroma, it's possible that your body's healing process might be slower. Swelling post-liposuction can last for several months and even up to a year in some cases. It's crucial to wear your compression garment as instructed by your surgeon to help reduce this swelling.

However, it's also crucial to rule out any complications. If you're noticing persistent unevenness, hardness, or other irregularities, it's best to consult your surgeon or another board-certified plastic surgeon for a physical examination. They can evaluate your healing progress and advise if further intervention is needed.

Remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as you're doing, is key to achieving and maintaining the best possible results from these procedures. Continue to be patient with yourself and your body.

Thank you for your question, and I wish you the best of luck on your healing journey.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thanks for your question dear @Rational829879 and sorry to hear your experience after a Mini tummy tuck, unfortunately there is a lot of factors can be causing your results problems, a physical evaluation is need it to determinate what is the cause and to know what can be done to improve your results, please talk with your surgeon about it. Good luck!

Unfortunately you had two operations that aren’t so great with regard to results.,you might want to get another opinion and find out if it’s worth converting your mini to a full tummy tuck

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry that your results have not been what you anticipated. Without photographs or an in-person examination it is difficult to comment on your current results and the options at improvement. I would seek out additional in-person consultations to get the best advice.

You did not post photos, so I cannot really say. I would suggest going back to your surgeon and discussing your concerns.

We require before and present photos of your abdomen (front and sides) to accurately answer your question. While there is still some swelling 4.5 months post liposuction, you should be seeing a marked improvement by now.
A physical exam would answer your questions precisely.
Best wishes,
Dr. Taranow

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you have had since your tummy tuck. An in person exam is needed to give you a specific recommendation. Have you been checked for recurrent seroma? Did the liposuction improve the area that concerns you? I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about your results.

To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we always need to see proper before and after pictures. For individuals have had more than one procedure we need to see proper before and after pictures for each of the operations. If you don’t have formal before, and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward, the ones they took. This includes the initial tummy tuck, and secondary Liposuction.
There are four tissue variables that determine what someone’s abdomen looks like. In other words, if somebody doesn’t like the way, their belly looks, it is because of one or more of these four tissue variables. The variables are abdominal skin laxity, excess subcutaneous fat, muscle separation from previous pregnancies, or excess visceral or intra-abdominal fat.
Insufficiently drained seroma can become a chronic seroma, and this can add to abdominal contour as well.
Without posting pictures, we can’t begin to make an assessment. I recommend having multiple 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 copy of your previous operative reports. These are all available from your previous providers offices if you request them.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD