How to Fix Folds of Skin from Tummy Tuck?

Question

I'm 6 weeks post-op and I'm very concerned about the vertical folds of skin along my belly button after my full Tummy Tuck surgery. 
Doctor says it will relax over time he said I had a huge hernia and very bad muscle damage leading to this appearance when skin was pulled back together. I had no fat in my stomach. I was not expecting a result like this at all. 
Can anyone help me and tell me what I need to do next? Due to what happened, I'm searching for another doctor to repair this damage.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

It is too early to do anything.
Wait and observe. Commonly skin will shrink when it is gathered, a process we call apoptosis.
The only alternative to remove loose vertical skin is to perform a vertical scar which many of my patients find objectionable. They would prefer loose vertical skin rather than a vertical scar. Of course, you may have different preferences and so I am speaking in generalities.
It is also possible that by making your scar longer, you could pull the skin outwards but this will not likely remove all the loose vertical skin.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello TATA3,

Thank you for your question regarding the vertical folds of skin along your belly button after your full tummy tuck surgery. Given your history and your doctor's explanation, it sounds like the folds are due to the extensive hernia repair and muscle damage you had. Your doctor's advice that the skin will relax over time is valid, but if you are looking for a more immediate solution, a revision surgery might be necessary.

Since you had a significant hernia and muscle damage, your initial surgery was quite complex, which might have led to this unexpected outcome. A revision surgery could potentially address these folds and improve the overall appearance. The revision would need to be carefully planned, considering your previous surgeries and the blood supply to the area.

It's crucial to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in revision surgeries. They can assess your specific situation in detail and recommend the best approach to fix the folds. Your surgeon might suggest procedures like additional skin excision, repositioning of the skin, or other techniques to smooth out the area.

Good luck, and I hope this helps answer your question about the folds of skin after your tummy tuck. Consulting with an experienced surgeon will be your best next step.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Mary C. Herte, MD · Answer

Your result from your tummy tuck surgery tells me that you were very thin and had very loose skin over your abdomen, an indicator that you worked very hard to get your figure back on your own!  I can also see your stretch marks in the photo that tell me that you were very overstretched. This surgery result shows that you had excess skin around your middle as well as up and down. Tummy Tuck generally takes care of the up and down excess but not the all around looseness. This surgery is all about "tailoring" the skin and unfortunately you ended up with "gathers" in the center that have to shrink down to smooth out. 
So, your best bet now is use compression longer (try a snug waist cincher available at large department stores) and ask your doctor for some special compression foam used for liposuction patients to help compress the area further.  if that is not successful over the next few months, you may need to consider a revision with a central vertical scar or revision of the scar itself to ease out the gathers over the entire scar to make them less noticeable.
Good luck and stay positive!

How to Fix Folds of Skin from Tummy Tuck?

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How to Fix Folds of Skin from Tummy Tuck?

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