Should I have gotten a full tummy tuck? I’m not happy with my results (photo)

Hello. Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. Pre op images are needed to properly examine your results. At 4 weeks, you are yet to see your final results. It can take up to six months for all the swelling to go down.

At 4 weeks, there may still be swelling that is hiding the true results of your surgery. I suggest you wait for about 6 months or so to see if the bulge goes away. If it doesn’t, a full tummy tuck may have been a better option for you — particularly since the bulge appears to be above your belly button, in an area that isn’t normally targeted with a mini tummy tuck.

I rarely perform mini tummy tuck because it can have a high revision rate. Some say that up to 50% can have a revision on mini tummy tuck within three years. I strongly prefer the full tummy tuck which has a way lower revision rate. I suggest a formal in-person consult to determine the best operative course for you now.Good luck. Dr. ALDO 

Dears Miss,   Thanks for posting your picture. From observing your pictures, you appear to have skin and muscle laxity from the chest bone to the pubic bone. The diasthesis recti of your upper abdomen is clearly visible.  I have been in practice for over 30 years and performed tummy tuck surgery on well over 1000 patients. Mini tummy tuck was done on , only, about 5-6 patients. That is because the indication for mini tummy tuck are very limited.   In your situation, as it appears in the pictures,  unfortunately, you will need to have full tummy tuck in  order to obtain optimal result with flat stomach, tight skin, nice belly button, improved body postures and low scar. Most likely you will have a short vertical scar in the mid lower abdomen, which is the hole of the old belly button that is moving down. This is a good trade off for the nice result as mentioned above. I would recommend to wait 3-6 months before the corrective surgery will be done.   As you can see from your own experience, not all results are the same, because experience, technical skills and aesthetic eye are critical for good outcome. So, do your due diligence carefully and choose your surgeon wisely.   Always, consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly, check the before and after pictures of redo tummy tucks in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive as described above.                          Best of luck,                                            Dr Widder

Thank you for your question and posting appropriate pictures. You should wait at least three months post op before thinking about a revision. Please discuss this with your plastic surgeon in a calm manner. You may need another plication if persistent. 

I know it's hard to be patient, but more time is needed to determine if any revision will be needed. A mini tummy tuck does have limitations as far as correction of abdominal wall laxity. You will need to wait several more months to see how things settle out. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

You may have some internal bloating from food allergies which are not addressed with surgery. Please discuss this with your medical doctor.

Thank you for your question and the photos. There is still quite some swelling from the surgery that you recently had, i would wait a bit more time to see if the results improve and also it is best to wear a post operative garter for at least 2-3 months after your surgery. Best of luck

It is typical for there to be some looseness to the rectus muscles early on after surgery, probably from the reactive swelling. Without pre-op photos it is even more difficult to opine. Suffice it to say it is too early to know just how "flat" things will be. Give it 4-6 months to see. In terms of  "full" ttuck, you have no reason to try to take the skin of a "full" ttuck out though it could be possible a full plication may be needed. Again, your surgeon had a reason for the recommended procedure, give it time before judging.

Hello,Thank you for sharing the information, it is a pleasure for me to answer your question.It is very soon of the surgery for a revision you have to wait for a longer time, it is recommended to use the belt for a period of between one and three months after the operation. In fact, if you stop using the belt during the first 15 days of the postoperative period, inflammations may occur that affect the intervened area and cause alterations in the desired silhouette.
I hope this answer will help youMy best wishes for you...