You saved and planned for your tummy tuck surgery, thinking your investment would produce years of positive results. Unfortunately, the operation didn’t go as planned, and the results you achieved were not at all what you hoped. Some patients may find their tummy tuck did deliver on its promises, only to experience unforeseen changes in the body contour later due to circumstances like pregnancy or weight gain. No matter why you aren’t satisfied with your initial procedure, a revision tummy tuck, also known as a secondary tummy tuck, can address your concerns and give you the result you wanted in the first place.
Botched tummy tuck surgery alters normal tissue planes and laxity, the ability of the abdominal skin to heal properly, and leaves scar tissue that dramatically affects the level of difficulty of the corrective surgery. We see a variety of men and women who require Dr. Barrett’s expertise in correcting complications that arose from previous tummy tuck surgeries. His background in reconstructive surgery and revision makes such difficult operations possible.
What is Tummy Tuck Revision?
Tummy tuck revision surgery is a procedure designed to produce the results you were hoping for from your original tummy tuck. Patients seeking revision surgery either didn’t get their desired outcome from the first surgery, or they have seen changes in their body since that operation that have altered their new contour. This procedure can be more complicated than the original tuck, since scar tissue and other factors may play a role this time around. It is critical that you choose a plastic surgeon like Dr. Barrett with extensive experience in all types of body contouring surgery to ensure the best possible outcome.
Is a Tummy Tuck Revision Right for You?
While there is no ideal candidate for tummy tuck revision surgery, most patients that come to Dr. Barrett for this procedure have complaints related to the following:
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
- Ongoing pain or general discomfort
- Infection or poor wound healing
To undergo this procedure, you should be in reasonably good health without underlying conditions that could affect the safety or success of your surgery. It is also essential to ensure you have healed sufficiently from your first tummy tuck before undergoing a second operation. Dr. Barrett will evaluate you carefully to ensure this procedure is appropriate and beneficial for you.
Benefits of Tummy Tuck Revision
There are numerous benefits associated with tummy tuck revision when it is performed on the appropriate patient:
- Remove excess loose skin left behind from previous surgery
- Tighten abdominal muscles that were not sufficiently addressed
- Eliminate residual fat that was not removed via liposuction
- Correct a belly button that is not aesthetically pleasing
- Enhance a scar that healed poorly to make it less noticeable
- Address contour irregularities to create a smoother midsection
- Reverse changes that have occurred since the initial procedure
Dr. Barrett is known for taking plenty of time with each of his patients, to listen to their concerns and discuss their aesthetic goals. This extra time before your procedure ensures you head into your surgery confident that it is the right choice for you.
Procedure Overview
Like your first tummy tuck, your revision surgery will likely be performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Barrett will try to use the same incision entry to avoid additional scarring, although some patients will require a much smaller incision to complete the revision surgery. This approach is known as a mini tummy tuck and primarily focuses on the lower portion of the abdomen.
Revision procedures may take as long as the original operation, which may last approximately two or three hours. During the surgery, Dr. Barrett will tighten the abdominal muscles if necessary and use liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits. Loose skin is also excised to create a smoother contour. Once Dr. Barrett has completed the necessary corrections, he will close the incision using a unique layering technique that reduces tension on the area and creates a smaller scar.
After Your Tummy Tuck Revision
Recovery from tummy tuck revision surgery takes about six weeks. You are apt to experience some swelling and soreness in the first two weeks after your procedure, so this is an excellent time to take it easy and get the rest your body needs to heal. Within two weeks, you should be able to participate in light activities or head back to work if your job is not strenuous. More vigorous activity or workouts will be restricted for six weeks or longer to give the abdomen ample time to heal.
Minimizing post-operative scarring is another focus after your tummy tuck revision. Dr. Barrett will see you in his office weekly for the first six weeks to monitor your progress. He will remove stitches in careful layers during your first two office visits, replacing the sutures with surgical tape. Once the taping period is over, he will give you a patented silicone scar gel to apply twice daily for three months to enhance the healing process and reduce visible scarring.
It can be frustrating not to get the results you wanted after undergoing an initial tummy tuck. Dr. Barrett understands this frustration and will take time to discuss your concerns and reassure you about the revision process ahead. Once you have recovered from your tummy tuck revision, you should be able to enjoy your positive results for many years so long as you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. To learn more about tummy tuck revision, contact Dr. Barrett’s office today at 310-598-2648.
The information about tummy tuck revision was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Barrett. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.