Tummy Tuck Revision After Pregnancy

Tummy tuck surgery is a popular option for men and women who have sagging skin as a result of massive weight loss, but it is an even more common choice for women who have had multiple pregnancies. Ideally, women who choose a tummy tuck are finished having children since they want to repair the stretch marks, separated abdominal muscles, and sagging skin that pregnancy gave them.

Ideally, abdominoplasty is a procedure that should only be performed once on a patient. The benefits of abdominoplasty, such as a flatter and more toned abdomen, can be lost if the patient experiences significant weight gain or becomes pregnant after the initial surgery. In these cases, a revision abdominoplasty can help to re-establish those benefits by removing excess skin and fat, as well as retightening the abdominal muscles. While it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle to preserve the results of abdominoplasty, revision surgery can be a valuable option for patients who have experienced changes in their body shape since their initial procedure.

Tummy Tuck Revision After Pregnancy

No matter the cosmetic procedure, revision surgery is always more complex than the first. The surgeon must deal with scar tissue and old incision lines from the first surgery, and it is often difficult to predict the extent of these challenges until surgery begins. A revision tummy tuck might require the incision to be higher than the old incision line, and there may need to be a vertical scar along with the horizontal scar. Recovery time might also be longer than it was with the initial surgery.

Dr. Dubrow is a revision surgery specialist and frequently performs secondary tummy tuck surgery when pregnancy or other uncontrollable factors affect the initial results. As seen on the popular television show Botched, his experience allows him to overcome some of the common challenges with revision tummy tuck surgery to provide the firm contours, minimal scarring, and shorter recovery time that were (or were not) established with the first tummy tuck.

Although successful results can be achieved with a revision tummy tuck after pregnancy, it is still best for women who plan to have children in the future to wait until they are finished having children before undergoing the procedure. With a toned and sculpted abdomen, women can enjoy your their body with plenty of confidence for years to come.

Tummy Tuck Revision Recovery Time

The time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck revision will be very similar to the time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck. A full recovery will take around 12 weeks, but after 1–2 weeks, you should be able to return to work. After 3–4 weeks, some light exercise should also be possible.

Naturally, the procedure of a tummy tuck revision will depend on the issues you have that need revising.

If there are problems with the shape, symmetry, or placement of your belly button, it may be necessary to undergo an umbilicoplasty to properly address the issue.

For stubborn pockets of fat that went untreated, it may be possible to use liposuction to remove the fat, thereby evening out the skin above and flattening the stomach.

In the event that excess skin, fat, and muscle separation continue to be an issue, you may need to undergo a full tummy tuck, repeating many of the techniques used in your first operation but taking special care to ensure a more satisfying result.

Patients may not be satisfied with the final results of their tummy tuck and require revision surgery. The term ‘botched’ is often used incorrectly to describe fault on behalf of the surgeon, hospital, or patient, causing unsatisfactory outcomes.

However, the procedure’s inherent risks can also result in poor outcomes. For example, large scars caused by an infection. For this reason, it’s more helpful to look out for signs which indicate that you may require a tummy tuck revision:

• A disproportionate amount of scarring
• Dog ears (Excess skin at the end of scars)
• Lumpy or poorly contoured skin due to inadequate removal of excess tissue
• Severe asymmetry
• Mis-shaped or unsightly umbilicus requiring umbilicoplasty 

Pros and Cons of a Tummy Tuck Revision

Before deciding to undergo tummy tuck revision, it is important to understand how it can benefit you but also to be aware of its potential limitations.  

Pros of a Tummy Tuck Revision

First and foremost, revision surgery can offer you the chance to get the outcomes you expected from your first tummy tuck.

If your first tummy tuck procedure hasn’t left you with a flatter, more defined abdomen, then a revision can be a very effective way to achieve these goals.

A revision can improve the appearance of scarring and sculpt a more contoured abdomen, free from asymmetries and bulging.

Cons of a Tummy Tuck Revision

The downsides of tummy tuck revision are similar to those of an initial tummy tuck, for example, its potential for scarring and not being a suitable procedure for patients desiring straightforward weight loss.

Principally, it is important to remember that a tummy tuck is a major surgery with notable downtime. You are likely to experience swelling and some discomfort as your wounds heal, and you will need to refrain from certain exercises during your recovery period.

Tummy Tuck Revision With Lipo

The time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck revision will be very similar to the time it takes to recover from a tummy tuck.

A full recovery will take around 12 weeks, but after 1–2 weeks, you should be able to return to work. After 3-4 weeks, some light exercise should also be possible.

When Do You See Results From a Tummy Tuck Revision?

It may take between 6-12 months to see the final results of your full abdominoplasty revision. This will be after your swelling has fully subsided, and your new stomach will be revealed, one that aligns more closely with your original expectations of a flatter, more contoured tummy.

Tummy Tuck Revision Cost

The cost of a tummy tuck revision will depend greatly on the issues that need resolving.

As such, the full cost breakdown can only be put together after your initial consultation.

Is a Tummy Tuck Revision Worth It?

Many patients report their tummy tuck revision to have been a worthwhile endeavour, as the complications from an unsuccessful tummy tuck can be difficult to resolve without addressing them through surgery.

A tummy tuck revision is designed to correct and improve the appearance of the abdomen following complications and unwanted side effects from a previous tummy tuck. Depending on the degree of correction required, this procedure can consist of various types of surgery. If you are unhappy with your previous tummy tuck and are looking for among the best tummy tuck repair in Beverly Hills, premier plastic surgeon Dr. Feldmar is ready to assist. You’ll finally be able to enjoy a tighter, flatter, more attractive stomach.

Is a Tummy Tuck Revision Right for Me?

A tummy tuck revision with Dr. Feldmar can correct virtually any unwanted effects created by a previous body contouring procedure. To give you a more detailed explanation, a list is provided below with a brief description of possible complications following a tummy tuck.

Excess fat – Excess fat after a tummy tuck often occurs when insufficient or no liposuction was performed during your procedure. This is the easiest complication to correct since liposuction of the abdomen is easily performed.

A poor quality scar – This may occur when the scar does not heal properly, usually due to inadequate closing techniques from a previous surgeon. Depending on the scar and the surrounding laxity of the skin surrounding the closed incision, a variety of methods can be employed to correct this unwanted blemish.

A scar located too high – When a previous procedure was poorly planned, it often results in over-excision of abdominal skin. This, in turn, creates a scar that is visible above the waistband of pants or a bathing suit. Too much residual skin – Conversely, a surgeon may be too conservative and leave an excess of abdominal skin. While the result is likely an improvement upon the original contours, this will leave a patient dissatisfied with his or her abdominal appearance.