Upper Abdomen Skin Still Loose After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Question

Hi. I had a tummy tuck about six weeks ago following significant weight loss. I'm really happy with the result when I'm standing but when I lean forward the skin above my bellybutton is still loose and hangs down rather unattractively. My surgeon says this is a limitation of the procedure as the tummy tuck only really tightens the skin vertically, which seems logical but I am a little disappointed that the result only really 'works' in the upright position. Is this normal?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Congratulations on your massive weight loss. You should be very proud of yourself having lost all that weight and significantly increasing your life expectancy. Six weeks after an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is too early to determine the final results. I would continue compression with an abdominal binder or a girdle.  I would continue to watch what you eat. I would continue to exercise. After about four months from your abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, I would reevaluate your upper abdomen.  I believe your skin will contract and shrink wrap around your upper abdomen. If it does not,  there are surgical alternatives.  Based on your photos, I would suggest high definition VASER liposuction. This liposuction technique can create a six-pack on your abdomen and I believe would look great. If you still have excess hanging skin above your umbilicus, you may need an incision that goes from the lower sternum or xiphoid to the bellybutton .  This incision would pull the skin together and remove any laxity. Do not lose hope, but rather congratulate yourself on your weight loss and your reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Kurtis Martin, MD · Answer

Bariatric or massive weight loss patients tend to have skin that is very loose with too much elasticity. This can lead to disappointment with the final surgical result. Your tummy tuck looks fine but your skin has now stretched back out. The only solution for this is to redo the tummy tuck removing more skin. There are several ways to do this with different incisions. Even with further surgery, you will probably never have very tight skin so don't be disappointed.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

The photograph demonstrates significant laxity of the skin when the abdomen is flexed. The striae in the remaining skin bespeaks poor quality. Although not reported in the history, my guess is that the redundant skin leading to an abdominoplasty is a function of significant weight loss.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

While the redundancy in your midline can only be corrected with a vertical incision, you can always take more skin from a tummy tuck after you heal.  Realize though that this tends to raise the scar and pull the pubic area higher.   This may be appropriate for you, but the surgeon performed a nice tummy tuck.  Good luck.

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

There are multiple vectors involved here and as yur surgeon explained, your skin was tightened vertically (up and down). It was not tightened horizontally (side to side). This can be accomplished but it involves a long up and down midline scar. It can be done but you need to carefully consider the scar.

Upper Abdomen Skin Still Loose After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

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Upper Abdomen Skin Still Loose After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Loose skin after tummy tuck

Answer: Loose skin after tummy tuck

Answer: Looseness of skin after tummy tuck

Answer: Looseness of skin after tummy tuck

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Everything you need to know about Male Tummy Tuck

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