Huge Upper Belly After Tummy Tuck?

Question

I had 2 C-sections. I weighed 220lbs on day of surgery, height 5’2” after loosing 70lbs with a gastricband. I had a huge apron. I got a tummy tuck + Muscle repair + lipo + love handles removed before 7 weeks. I have a nice lower tummy but my upper belly is huge unlike before surgery. As I have a gastricband, my surgeon said he worked his best on the upper belly but had to be careful about the band. They took 13lbs off me in surgery but  weigh the same before surgery.  Worried about my weight and my upperbelly.

David Rankin, MD · Answer

Often times during tummy tuck there is a reluctance to do liposuction to the upper abdomen. This is a necessary evil as doing liposuction to this area at the same time can often lead to decreased blood supply and wound breakdown especially when removing large volumes of fat like you had done. You also may have a significant component of fat inside your belly that will not respond to liposuction or a tummy tuck. It will respond to further weight loss.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello upsetnadia, thank you for your question regarding the changes in your upper belly after your tummy tuck. By examining your photos, you appear to have visceral fat. Visceral fat is fat that surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal cavity, and it is different from subcutaneous fat, which lies just under the skin. Visceral fat is often more challenging to remove through surgery and typically requires weight loss through diet and exercise.

Given your history of gastric band surgery and significant weight loss, it's essential to focus on losing more weight to address the visceral fat. Incorporating a balanced diet and regular exercise routine will be crucial in achieving this. Additionally, weight loss medications can be effective when combined with lifestyle changes. These medications can help suppress appetite, increase metabolism, or reduce the absorption of fat, thereby aiding in weight loss.

I recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to discuss the best weight loss plan tailored to your needs. They can provide guidance on suitable diet plans, exercise routines, and weight loss medications that can support your goals.

Good luck, and I hope my answer provides some clarity and direction for your concerns.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Seven weeks after tummy tuck is not enough time to express a valid opinion. To reduce abdominal and belly button swelling, I recommend daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy 5 times at week for the next two months, and wear a postoperative girdle for two months at least.

Kind Regards, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Jeffrey Horowitz, MD · Answer

Your abdominal contour can be explained by three things, or some combination thereof:
1. Persistent subcutaneous fat
2. Persistent muscular wall laxity
3. Intraabdominal fat
Your surgeon's ability to tighten the muscular wall and perform lipo may have been compromised by the presence of the lap band.  Sometimes, relatively greater tightening of the lower abdominal muscles may make the upper abdomen appear proturberant by comparison.
Intrabdominal fat can only be addressed with weight loss.
If you are disappointed, discuss this with your surgeon who can tell you if additonal surgery can provide any additional benefit.
Good Luck!

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

It is possible that you still have subcutanous fat and intra-abdominal fat that is contributing to the huge upper abdomen.
Also the upper abdomen may not have been tightened strongly because of the lap band as your surgeon told you.
Your BMI now is 40.2  Your ideal situation is to drop to 150 lbs. Then re-assess the abdomenial fat, muscle strength and may need redo of the abdominoplasty.

Huge Upper Belly After Tummy Tuck?

Answers (8)

Answer: Three possibilties for huge upper belly afer Tummy Tuck

Answer: Three possibilties for huge upper belly afer Tummy Tuck

Answer: Huge upper abdomen

Answer: Huge upper abdomen

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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Huge Upper Belly After Tummy Tuck?

Answers (8)

Answer: Three possibilties for huge upper belly afer Tummy Tuck

Answer: Three possibilties for huge upper belly afer Tummy Tuck

Answer: Huge upper abdomen

Answer: Huge upper abdomen

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.