What are my options if I am unhappy with my tummy tuck results?

During the first few weeks and months after surgery, your body is still trying to adjust, so don’t be too critical of your results until enough time has passed. If you are unhappy with the results from your tummy tuck, you should talk to your plastic surgeon about your concerns. There may be something that can easily resolve the issue, or you may need to a second procedure to correct the problem. Try to be realistic and listen to what your surgeon tells you. If you are still unhappy after speaking with your doctor, you might visit another surgeon for a second opinion.

Initially the patient should discuss her results with her original plastic surgeon. Be specific and descriptive as to what it is that you are unhappy with. Problems can include scarring, residual fat or lipodystrophy in the lower flap, or increase in protuberance of the hip area due to incomplete or inadequate suctioning of the iliac crest wall hip region. If you still have confidence in your surgeon, consider after a reasonable period of time, up to 1 year, that scar revisions can be performed around the umbilicus or the lower C-section-like scar, and liposuctioning of the lower flap or hips can be performed. With our patient's that have large abdominoplasties, we often tell them that a second stage will be required in order to perform liposuction of the flap, as well as possible scar revisions in order to make them completely satisfied. It is important that the plastic surgeon inform the patient with staging procedures before the original surgery, as to reduce anxiety and stress subsequently.

The first step in dealing with any unpleasant result in plastic surgery should be to consult with your surgeon. Find out if this is truly a problem, or if this is temporary and will resolve postoperatively. Problems with bruising, swelling, discomfort, etc will resolve, whereas incomplete removal of fat, inappropriately located scars, and the like, will not. If you are unhappy with aspects of the scar such as texture, width, or color, it is best to wait until the scar matures, in 9-12 months, before having it revised. Sometimes, the scar softens and flattens with time, and is no longer an issue of concern. As always, if you are truly unhappy, do not hesitate to seek out a second opinion. However, it is best to realize that your surgeon knows your particular procedure best, and has a vested interest in helping you achieve the best possible result. You should also help one another stay patient and positive about your result.