- Gender
- Female
Description
This patient had a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck on its own
Case 2351 is a straightforward tummy tuck, and that makes it useful. When a photo shows one operation, you can see what that operation does without other procedures blurring the picture. A tummy tuck works on three things at once: loose skin, the tightness of the abdominal wall and the position of the belly button.
What a tummy tuck can and can't do
It removes excess skin from the lower abdomen and tightens the muscles beneath it, which is often what stretched skin and a bulge that won't respond to exercise call for. It doesn't remove large amounts of fat from other areas of the body, and it isn't a weight loss operation. Patients who want the waist and flanks treated as well usually add liposuction, as in Lipo 360.
Five things to check in a tummy tuck photo
Photos are most useful when you know where to look. Try these:
- The line from ribs to hips. Does the waist read as smooth from the front and side?
- The lower abdomen. Is it flat, and does it flow into the hips without a shelf of skin?
- The scar. Notice how low it sits and whether it would hide under underwear or swimwear.
- The belly button. Look at its shape and position, since it has to be repositioned during surgery.
- Skin quality. Check whether the skin looks smooth and taut, or whether texture and stretch marks remain.
Stretch marks above the belly button, for example, are often not removed and can stay. Marks below it are usually taken away with the excess skin. Seeing that in photos gives you a realistic picture.
The question the photo can't answer
The description of this case is brief, so timing isn't stated. That matters, because a tummy tuck looks different at six weeks than at six months. Early photos show swelling and a tight, sometimes bent-over posture, and later ones show the final contour and fading scars. When you compare cases, ask when each was taken.
Scars in perspective
The trade for a flatter abdomen is a scar, usually placed low so that it sits under underwear or a bikini. In the first months it looks pink and raised, and over a year or more it flattens and fades. How yours heals depends partly on your skin and your aftercare, which is worth keeping in mind when a photo shows a scar at an early stage.
Next steps
If this is the kind of change you're after, compare it with other tummy tuck results and with combined cases such as case 784. To discuss what would be right for you, speak with the practice or call (561) 705-0044.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a tummy tuck change?
It removes excess skin from the lower abdomen, tightens the abdominal muscles and repositions the belly button. It isn't a weight loss procedure and doesn't remove fat elsewhere.
Where is the scar after a tummy tuck?
Usually low across the lower abdomen, placed so it can sit under underwear or swimwear. It looks pink and raised at first and fades over a year or more.
When are tummy tuck results final?
Most swelling settles over several months, and scars keep fading for a year or more. Photos taken early in recovery look different from the final result.
Will my result look like this one?
Not exactly. Your skin, tissue and healing are your own. A consultation with Dr. Bellamy is the best way to understand what is realistic for you.
