Unhappy with Tummy Tuck results and my body afterwards. Knots all along incision, which are very painful. (photos)

Question

My "mons pubis" is HUGE, It wasnt noticed prior to surgery, but I was told I received liposuction in that area during my tummy tuck. The more weight I lose, the worse it looks. I dont know what to do now, I feel like it should have been addressed during my TT, and lifted when the extra skin was removed. I dont know what to do now, to fix this? I also have knots/lumps all along my incision (under the skin). They are very painful. What could this be? I had surgery 2/25/2014.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thanks for your pictures.That your mons pubis is cosmetically unpleasing. It should've been addressed with lifting and removal of excess tissue at the time of surgery.  It still can be done. You need to revisit with your plastic surgeon or other plastic surgeons as to the extent of the procedure and cost.

Mark G. Albert, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, the bumps may be a reaction to the sutures and will likely resolve with time. Your mons can be improved with liposuction and/or removal of tissue directly. Please let your surgeon know your concerns, I'm sure he/she wants you to be happy with the result.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

You have a very acceptable result. Additional surgery like a pubic lift is a separate operation that can be done along with removal of permanent sutures used...BTW the majority of your issues are on you! - I see your weight was very high and I would have recommended 50 pounds ++ weight loss prior to TT surgery...

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD (retired) · Answer

Thanks for the question.  You seem to have an acceptable result at this early time.The lumps may be fat necrosis, which is understandable after an extensive abdominoplasty procedure as you have had performed.  These areas should and will improve, but they will take months as expected.The mons pubis can always be reduced and improved, but zi would let your Tummytuck heal up first..Your Plastic Surgeon should be able to give you some guidNce on this, or you could always get a second opinion if you are concerned about what you may be told about the options available to you.Don't panic!  Give it time.  You may like the results better in 6 to 12 months.

Daniel Greenwald, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Hard to properly assess results without the pre-op pictures.  Having said that: you appear to have had a very acceptable result.  Hard areas under the scar are due to small areas of fat necrosis that will slowly fade over time (years, not months), some of which may require a minor surgical procedure for excision.The mons pubis may still  have some swelling, but would definitely benefit from some surgical reduction.  I would plan to do this at the time of removal of any residual hard areas.

Unhappy with Tummy Tuck results and my body afterwards. Knots all along incision, which are very painful. (photos)

Answers (5)