Can I Have a Second Tummy Tuck or Post Pregnancy Procedures?

What Is Tummy Tuck Revision Surgery?

A tummy tuck revision surgery is a procedure to correct and improve the contour of the abdomen following complications and unwanted side effects from a past tummy tuck surgery (Abdominoplasty). If you are considering a tummy tuck revision, here are some guidelines for you to help consider whether it is necessary or not. It can be necessary in the following cases:

• Because of a new pregnancy
• Postoperative weight loss or gain
• Dissatisfaction with the result from first surgery

Tummy tuck revision or second Post Pregnancy Procedures makeover (abdominoplasty and breast augmentation) is a procedure to make the abdomen thinner and firm. The surgical procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall as necessary.  This procedure can provide a solution for patients with loose or sagging tissues following pregnancy or major weight loss.

This surgery can also provide an improvement in core strength, skin laxity, abdominal contour, as well as correct separated abdominal muscles, diastasis recti surgery. Learn more about the benefits of tummy tuck surgery.

Who Needs a Tummy Tuck Revision?

The common reasons patient opt for a revision are:

• You have a poor scar from previous surgery which is too high, not well located, or with big lumps (dog ears) at the end of the scar.
• Your aesthetic outcomes were not satisfactory including remaining fat bulges and a poorly corrected tummy area.
• Your abdomen is uneven or has loose skin.
• There was a failure of muscle repair in the previous one.
• You have a recurrent hernia.

A revision surgery is more difficult to perform than the original procedure. It is important to book a consultation with an experienced specialist plastic surgeon who performs this surgery regularly.

Tummy Tuck Dog Ears – How To Fix it!

Tummy tuck dog ears are a fairly common side effect of tummy tuck surgery. As the name suggests, they are a fold of skin that develops on the scar. They are normal, and the “puckering” will lessen as swelling reduces, usually within six to nine months. Occasionally, the dog ears may not go away and require excision.

Dog ears is an unfavourable side effect, but you can avoid them by addressing the problem at the source: excess fat. If you undergo surgery when you are overweight, your chance of getting dog ear scars is increased. Being close to your ideal weight is a good way of avoiding them. In cases where you have excess fat, tightening the skin to close the incision can cause the sides to become full. The result is a “dog ear” scar that appears puffy on the ends. Revision surgery for a small adjustment like dog ears can perform under local anaesthesia at the clinic. You will need to wait a few months before you can have this corrective procedure. This is usually 3 months after your initial procedure, once swelling has gone down. Afterwards, you will not need to deal with drains.

Dog Ear Revision Recovery Time

The outcome of revision can be seen once bruising, swelling and scars have settled. A Dog Ear Revision recovery time depends on several factors, including the deformity, extent of skin laxity, and the amount of excess tissue. The average dog ear revision takes about an hour to complete. A full recovery is typically only one to two weeks. It is important to remember that the scar will remain for about six months, but this can be reduced over time with scar creams. Typically, the incision line is close to perfect after the revision procedure.

Download Our Free Guide

For more information on Tummy Tuck Surgery with Dr Doyle, download our free procedure guide. Learn about the procedure, recovery, see real patient photos and get answers to commonly asked questions.

Who Should Not Consider Abdominoplasty?

You should postpone your surgery if you are:

• Planning to get pregnant. The vertical muscle of the abdomen is tightened during surgery, which can be separated by future pregnancies.
• Planning to lose weight.
• You have a serious health condition.

Tummy Tuck Revision Procedure

Pre-Procedure

If you choose to proceed with the surgery, a blood test, ECG and X-ray may need to evaluate your fitness for the surgery. If you are on certain medications that may interfere with the surgery process and in particular blood thinners, Dr may ask you to stop them a few days or weeks before surgery.

The Procedure

• Dr will open the original abdominal scar.
• He may need to make an incision around the navel to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.
• The abdominal muscles are pulled tight as necessary using strong non-absorbable stitches. Excess skin is trimmed and the remaining skin is sutured together.
• In case of umbilical distortion, umbilical stenosis, and slit-like umbilicus, he will do a revision of the umbilical area.
• Some deformities like excess skin can be corrected by just removing the excess skin.  Excess fat deposition can then be corrected by liposuction.
• If there is bulging of the skin in the central upper abdomen this can be corrected with sutures in the rectus muscle and liposuction if there is excess fat in this area.
• In case of scar malposition or scar thickening, surgery is performed for scar correction.
• Drains may be used to prevent the collection of blood underneath the skin flaps.

Recovery from Revision

As with any surgical procedure, tummy tuck recovery period is dependent upon multiple factors including the following:

• Age of the patient
• General health condition of the patient
• The extent of the tummy tuck procedure, ie. is it an extended tummy tuck or belt lipectomy?
• Postoperative care and follow-up appointments

 Some routine things you need to care of as you heal after surgery:

• During your recovery following abdominoplasty surgery, dressing and bandages are applied to your incision. You will need to wear a compression garment to minimise swelling and provide support to your abdomen. This ensures an uneventful healing and recovery process. Small tubes are placed underneath the skin to empty excess fluids and blood collected.
• Dr will prescribe you a course of antibiotics and painkillers to reduce the risk of infection and minimise your pain. Dr Doyle routinely uses a pain pump to release local anaesthetic under the skin for the first 3 days after your surgery. This keeps your pain to a minimum.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for at least six weeks following surgery.
• Follow instructions from Dr Doyle about drain care and incision care. You should immediately inform Dr Doyle if you have severe pain in the incision site, swelling, redness, pus, warmth, or bleeding.
• Follow Dr Doyle’s recovery tips, which include an adequate wound healing diet and the use of supplements for faster recovery.

Risks and Complications of Revision Surgery

Anaesthetic Complications

Drug allergy and hypersensitivity are common side effects following anesthetic drug administration.

Bleeding

Bleeding during and after surgery may occur. If there is soakage of dressings or an abnormally large collection of blood in the drain, then you should immediately consult with Dr Doyle.

Surrounding Structure Injury

During the procedure, surrounding structures such as blood vessels, and nerves may get injured.

Late complications include:

• Wound Infection: If your wound is red, swollen, there is discharge from the wound and severe pain then you are most likely suffering from a wound infection. You will be prescribed antibiotics to treat the wound infection.
• Wound breakdown: If the pressure increases inside the wound, then the wound may break down. In this case, the wound is reopened and left open to heal.
• Blood clot in your leg (Deep vein thrombosis): Due to prolonged bed rest following surgery you may develop pain and swelling in your calf.  You must inform Dr Doyle immediately if you think you have deep vein thrombosis. All patients will be treated with blood-thinning medications following the surgery and encouraged to mobilise early to prevent this from occurring.

You should discuss the side effects with Dr Doyle in detail to avoid any serious complications. It is necessary to note that almost all the complications and side effects of an abdominoplasty can be avoided by selecting a highly skilled specialist surgeon to perform the procedure. Book a consultation with our specialist plastic surgeon, Dr Mark Doyle today.

FAQs

How Many Times Can I Get abdominoplasty?

There is no limit on the number of surgery you can undergo if you meet all the requirements and are surgically fit for the procedure. Ideally, abdominoplasty is only performed once on a patient. Abdominoplasty benefits can be lost following weight gain or pregnancy. Revision can re-establish those benefits by removing excess skin, fats and retightening the abdominal muscle. It is best to discuss your concerns with Dr Doyle.

Can Your Stomach Come Back After Surgery?

Abdominoplasty performs to get a flatter and firmer midsection but it is not a procedure for weight loss.  A healthy diet and consistent exercise will ensure you maintain your current transformed tummy. The procedure has a good outcome, but the result can be compromised if the patient gains weight or has children following the procedure.

Why Is My Stomach Still Big After Surgery?

There are several reasons for a big stomach after surgery. It can be due to visceral fat (fat in internal organs). If you just had surgery, it certainly can be from swelling, which could occur unevenly in the earlier phase of healing. It can also be a seroma (collection of fluid under the skin), most often at the surgical incision site. An examination and some investigations may be needed for further evaluation.

How Long Do Abdominoplasty Results Last?

Results can last forever as removed skin and fat cells can not grow back and the muscle tightened should not need further surgical correction. However, significant weight gain and loss, and pregnancy can cause the skin to lose elasticity and become lax again. Weight gain also causes fat cells to grow larger which will affect the final result of the surgery. To ensure long-lasting aesthetic results, it is essential to maintain a stable weight, follow a healthy diet and exercise consistently.

Related Blogs

• The Best BMI and Ideal Weight for Abdominoplasty
• How to Lose Weight Before Surgery
• Bra Line Back Lift Surgery for Excess Loose Skin

References:

•  Hernandez, Teri L; Kittelson, John M; Law, Christopher K; Ketch, Lawrence L; Stob, Nicole R; Lindstrom, Rachel C; Scherzinger, Ann; Stamm, Elizabeth R; Eckel, Robert H (2011). “Fat Redistribution Following Suction Lipectomy: Defense of Body Fat and Patterns of Restoration”
• Tierney, Emily P.; Kouba, David J.; Hanke, C. William (December 2011). “Safety of tumescent and laser-assisted liposuction: a review of the literature“. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.