Tummy indentation following Tummy Tuck, is there anything I can do to resolve this? (Photos)

Question

I'm 1 year Post Op of a Tummy Tuck with muscle repair and liposuction to 3 areas. I'm generally very happy with the results, and the scar has healed and faded really well. I'm just disappointed that I have this indentation, therefore a slight tummy overhang. It doesn't look much, but I had hoped it would be flat. Is this normal, or is there something that can be done? Many thanks. Jacky

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jkath,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would benefit from liposuction. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Amir Sadr, MD, MSc (Plast), FEBOPRAS · Answer

Dear jkathThanks for your photo and sharing your question. It is difficult to comment only on 2 photos but looking at them I think you have a very small prominence above your scar which is not very obvious. Lots of patients might get it after a tummy tuck. It is usually avoidable by careful planning and execution of procedure by the surgeon but sometimes the scar contracture caused scar to be indented and the area above to look more prominent. If this is that bothers you a lot you can have a consultation by a plastic surgeon who may be able to address this with a combination of scar revision and liposuction. I hope you find this information helpful.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It’s hard to know for sure what’s cost the indentation or exactly which part of the abdomen it is that bothers you based on your post.

I would like to point out that during a standard full tummy tuck the strip of skin that gets removed as a fat layer that’s typically substantially thicker on the upper incision closer to the belly button then The lower incision which goes down in the groin area.

When the two edges are sewn together there’s a difference in thickness of subcutaneous fat the transitions and increases towards the central abdomen can sometimes be an issue for having an even contour along the incision line.

Some surgeons will defat the upper edge to match the fat thickness to the lower edge to not have a step off.  This could be the result of that being done. It could be simply how we are skin drabs your underlying muscle while and it could be related to the liposuction that was done at the time of surgery.

The right person to talk to this is your provider who did the procedure for you.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Tummy indentation following Tummy Tuck, is there anything I can do to resolve this? (Photos)

Answers (3)