I'm 7 month post-op from a tummy tuck, lipo on back, flanks, upper stomach, and bra line, with fat transfer to my butt. I am NOT Flat when standing & especially when sitting. I'm so disappointed with results. surgeon reassured me at each post op appt it was just swelling and I needed time and patience. Now at 6 months she claims my expectations were not realistic and need more lipo! I feel constant bloating and I'm uncomfortable. She said lipo wasn't done on mid section since unsafe with TT. Updated to add: BMI of 26.5
August 29, 2023
Answer: Stomach not flat after abdominoplasty Thank you for your question. Overall the liposuction of the hips and back look really good. Y The swelling you experience at this stage is common after tummy tuck. It can be due to seroma cavities, lymphatic obstruction or general fat thickness in the lower flap. Your surgeon is correct in stating that you can only thin that area so a certain degree at the end of the surgery as we are trying to preserve adequate blood flow to the upper edge to minimize healing complications and tissue necrosis. Liposuction to that lower abdominal area can make this even riskier if done concurrently with the tummy tuck. I find that my own patients often have persisting swelling much as you demonstrate once we get past 6 months and the lymphatics have generally had time to recover. It is a shame to come this far without addressing this. Because that lower abdomen is generally numb after tummy tuck, I just bring them back and liposuction it down under local anaesthetic. This can be done safely at this point, has a quick recovery and polishes the result to the point that 99% of patients are happy. I would discuss your options with your surgeon and I am sure they can touch this up for you. Stan Valnicek
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
August 29, 2023
Answer: Stomach not flat after abdominoplasty Thank you for your question. Overall the liposuction of the hips and back look really good. Y The swelling you experience at this stage is common after tummy tuck. It can be due to seroma cavities, lymphatic obstruction or general fat thickness in the lower flap. Your surgeon is correct in stating that you can only thin that area so a certain degree at the end of the surgery as we are trying to preserve adequate blood flow to the upper edge to minimize healing complications and tissue necrosis. Liposuction to that lower abdominal area can make this even riskier if done concurrently with the tummy tuck. I find that my own patients often have persisting swelling much as you demonstrate once we get past 6 months and the lymphatics have generally had time to recover. It is a shame to come this far without addressing this. Because that lower abdomen is generally numb after tummy tuck, I just bring them back and liposuction it down under local anaesthetic. This can be done safely at this point, has a quick recovery and polishes the result to the point that 99% of patients are happy. I would discuss your options with your surgeon and I am sure they can touch this up for you. Stan Valnicek
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
August 25, 2023
Answer: Why is my stomach NOT flat 7 months post tummy tuck and lipo? Thank you for the photos. It seems to me that you need more muscle repair and even more important more skin excision. It looks like the vertical scar you have on your midline is from your belly button. Your surgeon probably thought you did not have enough skin to pull all the way down so he wasn’t as aggressive. I believe more muscle repair and more skin excision would have given you a not only flatter tummy but a tighter tummy as well. Best regards, Dr. Miguel Mota
Helpful
August 25, 2023
Answer: Why is my stomach NOT flat 7 months post tummy tuck and lipo? Thank you for the photos. It seems to me that you need more muscle repair and even more important more skin excision. It looks like the vertical scar you have on your midline is from your belly button. Your surgeon probably thought you did not have enough skin to pull all the way down so he wasn’t as aggressive. I believe more muscle repair and more skin excision would have given you a not only flatter tummy but a tighter tummy as well. Best regards, Dr. Miguel Mota
Helpful