Blotchy purple skin and vein on stomach 5.5 years after Tummy Tuck - what could it be? (photo)

Hello Terri123 in Winnipeg. Thank you for your question regarding the blotchy purple skin and visible veins on your abdomen 5.5 years after your tummy tuck.

Thank you for sharing your history and photo. Based on the information you've provided, it's challenging to determine the exact cause of the blotchy purple skin and visible veins from the photo alone. The mottled appearance of your belly skin could be related to the 40-pound weight gain and subsequent weight loss after your tummy tuck, which can sometimes cause changes in skin tone and texture.

The purple blotchy area might be due to a vein that has become more prominent. If this is the case, treatment options include sclerotherapy (injecting the vein with a solution to make it collapse), laser treatment, or surgical removal of the vein. Another possibility is that the purple area could be related to a permanent suture from your tummy tuck, which may need to be addressed or removed.

Given these possibilities, I strongly recommend scheduling a formal consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your symptoms in person. This will allow for a more accurate diagnosis and discussion of potential treatment options.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Only on the basis of in person evaluation, a board certified plastic surgeon, could give you some thoughts on this problem. This is not very frequent to see long after TT and recent weight loss. Good ;luck.

It is difficult to tell what is going on without an evaluation or at least seeing the discoloration with a photograph. I would recommend seeing your previous surgeon and discussing your concerns.

Thank you so much for your question. Can be too many factors and I will not feel professional telling you what can be without an evaluation physicall and blood work. My recommendation is to do an appointment with dermatologist doctor that can start making testing in order to find the condition that is causing you this symptoms.

Hope this helps
Dr. Quiroz

Dear Terri123,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Your one photo is not close enough or clear enough to say what is happening. I would suggest letting your medical doctor examine you.

An in person exam and discussion of your symptoms is needed in order to determine what may be causing the skin changes you are experiencing. Meet with your surgeon or a dermatologist for an evaluation.

Posted photo really not helpful, you need virtual consult to determine if further lipo or laser therapy to areas can improve.

Your pictures are not sufficient to make an assessment.
From your post it’s not clear that the areas of concern were related to your procedure since they seem to have developed years later.
You can follow up with the surgeon who did your procedure or schedule in person second opinion consultations.
There’s nothing in your history pointing towards something surgical done incorrectly.
Try posting better pictures taken in better lighting showing exactly what the problem is.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!From your somewhat blurry oblique photo, I note a healed abdominoplasty scar with an apparent lateral extension. The resolution of the photo is inadequate to evaluate the blotchy hypervascular area you describe.In order to determine its nature, visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.Best wishes...