I am 3 months out from tt surgery, and I am not flat, still have some protrusion. Saw surgeon 3 days ago and he said my result is pretty much how it’s going to be and considers it a successful surgery. He also stated that further surgery would not help. Are there situations that are beyond surgeons expertise? Thank you, Robert
This is a really hard question to answer without seeing you. Was your surgeon a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon? If so, it is unlikely a straight forward TT would be beyond his expertise. Some patients will get some protrusion of their upper abdomen due to the way the abdominal muscles and fascia are tightened on the inside. This can be unexpected and what you are experiencing. Liposuction is another option to include with the TT in some people, but I have to assume your surgeon considered this. Generally, after TT surgery if you continue with a good diet and exercise program you will keep getting better. Some of my best abdominoplasty results are in people who stay motivated to exercise and eat well once they are cleared to work out. Good luck.
If you are dissatisfied and your surgeon does not recommend further intervention, follow Dr. Sanderson's advice to diet and exercise. Failing that, get another opinion from a surgeon certified by The American Board of Surgery.
Without an exam or photos, it can be hard to give accurate information. It is also helpful to understand how things were before surgery. Your surgeon is best equipped to evaluate your concerns and discuss them with you. If you are not satisfied with those answers, it might be time for a second opinion. Make sure you are seeing surgeons who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Hope this helps!
Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACS
Owner & Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
VIVIFY plastic surgery
www.vivifyps.com
Hello trainerguy,
There are several factors that may contribute to residual protrusion after tummy tuck surgery. Unresolved swelling, fatty deposits, excess intra abdominal fat, poor healing and recurrent stretching of plicated tissues can all hinder your achieving a flat contour. An examination would be required before determining the best course of action.
Warm regards,
Dr Pedy Ganchi
It is hard to comment on your post without a prior exams and photos. If the overrall muscle tone is poor even with the best of surgical hands there will be a protrusion of the abdomen. If it is just the subcutaneous fat in localised areas causing the protrusion( most likely above your belly button) then a liposuction would help or exercise and diet is the answer. Exercise and diet are mandatory to maintain the results of TT.
Robert,
there is fat outside of the stomach area which can be treated by liposuction and tummy tuck. There also is fat inside the stomach area (intraabdominal) which can not be treated with either. Men typically tend to have higher proportion of intraabdominal fat. This responds to diet and exercise. Without a photo it is difficult to assess, but this seems to be the most common cause of residual fullness after a correctly performed tummy tuck.
Dear Trainerguy,
Hello and thank you for your excellent question. I agree with previous posts on this thread, that it would be wise to consider diet and exercise as a first line. Beyond that, it is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!