Should I Consider a Reverse TT? (Photo)

Question

I recently had a full TT 8 months ago & my upper abdominals are now quite loose but below my BB is pulled tight. My PS is suggesting Lipo around my BB. A full muscle repair was done. I'm 53 years old.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck revision may be reasonable for you, but an exam will be necessary to make that determination.    I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

I don't have good news for you, it seems the surgeon did a "lazy" work, for some unexplanaible reasons. You did not receive any full tummy tuck.Firstly, you DO NOT have any fat accumulated on your abdomen, neither down suprapubical or around or above the belly button.A full tummy tuck involves/requires total undermining (dissection) of the suprapubical and high abdominal apron / cloth, up to the submammary fold of the breasts (not touching it, a narrow margin must be left intact to allow nourishing arteries to pierce the flap). Needless to say, this full tummy tuck (full? I don't like this term, it is a NORMAL tummy tuck, would you pay for "half a car" or for a "complete car"?) requires the release of the belly button leaving a circumferencial scar around the navel, where is this scar in your abdomen??? I don't see it.Additional clue: when you bend I can (anyone can) see the perfect delimitation and outlining of the "virgin" area on top and the operated area below, like a curvaceous covex line. IMHO I think the upper tummy is intact, virgin, un-operated; why so? misterious... keep in mind that a short procedure significatively reduces the billing that the hospital charges to the surgeon...My advice: change surgeon, and go to a less lazy-less witty surgeon who really enjoys doing a complete-normal-average work on your abdomen. The abdominoplasty must be repeated.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question but you may consider posting additional photographs that show your full abdomen, for better advice. Generally speaking, the “reverse” tummy tuck procedure  is very rarely performed because it addresses the upper abdominal wall area only and can be associated with problems such as distortion/lowering of the inframammary folds of the breasts. I would be concerned that if you proceed with your plastic surgeon's recommendation of liposuction surgery only, that you will be left with loose/redundant skin. For more precise advice, you may wish wish to seek consultation with  additional well experienced board certified plastic surgeons in your area. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and communicate your goals clearly. Best wishes.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

It depends on how much you do not like the extra
skin or how much you care about scarring. The scar of a reverse tummy
tuck can be pretty visible over the upper abdomen. It is so hard
to make the upper skin completely tight after a tummy tuck. In some instances
the incision would have too much tension if you try to pull it that tight. The
issue of a reverse tummy tuck is personal and you have to weight the
result vs the scars you will have.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

I'm not sure why you have all this laxity unless your surgeon did a mini-tummy tuck instead of a full tummy tuck or if you have lost a lot of weight.  A reverse tummy tuck will help with your laxity.  The other possibility if you just had a mini tummy tuck would be to have a full tummy tuck.  You may end up with a vertical component of your scar but it would likely be worth it to have a better contour.  I do not agree with your surgeon's plan of lipo.  It is unlikely to help much.   Make sure you see a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.   Good luck.

Should I Consider a Reverse TT? (Photo)

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Answer: Reverse Tummy Tuck

Answer: Reverse Tummy Tuck

Answer: Reverse tummy tuck

Answer: Reverse tummy tuck

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Should I Consider a Reverse TT? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Reverse Tummy Tuck

Answer: Reverse Tummy Tuck

Answer: Reverse tummy tuck

Answer: Reverse tummy tuck

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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