After Two Tummy Tucks Why Do I Still Look Like This?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am past 6 weeks since my second tummy tuck. I can see a difference however, it is not anywhere near what I was hoping for. I can still grab a hand-full of fat all around my abdomen, my measurements have not reduced at all and I still feel swollen on the inside however, the skin feels normal softness on the outside. I am very concerned because this is the second tummy tuck I have had with this surgeon as the first one left me worse off than my natural body so revision surgery was performed. The scarring is better this time and at least I can see results however, where I am now, is not much better than my natural, pre-opp body. The photo is my pre-opp body but 12 months after TT 1 and 4 weeks after TT2. I am now more than 6 weeks post opp and don’t feel any different from 4 weeks. What can i do to reduce the swelling? I am very concerned that I have been through the procedure twice and for all losses and no gain.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures to which I can make the following comments:

1) For having had two tummy tucks I would agree that the change is far less than expected.

2) What is not clear is what exactly was done in these two procedures. The term ‘tummy tuck’ is a generic one and does not specify as to the particulars of the procedure. I suspect yours was more of a mini tummy tuck and I see no evdience of liposuction of the entire abdominal and flanks areas being done concurrently. But in fairness to all involved without reading the operative notes from the procedure and seeing the actual scar location I can only speculate.

3) What is not speculative, however, is that what you see now is probably more of the actual result than reflective of an overall swelling effect.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana