Failed tummy tuck

[Munchkin]

I had TT on 6/16 this year. The skin was not pulled tight enough. Not enough excess skin was cut. And I swelled up a lot after surgery.

I need a revision (a second tummy tuck, a redo).

I want to post it here to let other sleevers know. Don't forget to ask your surgeon about revision policy. People seem to only talk about the good results.

Each practice has different revision policy. Most of the time, the surgeon waves the surgeon fee but the patient needs to pay the hospital and anesthesiologist.

My situation is even worst. My surgeon is leaving the practice. So I really have no idea what will happen to me right now.

And before someone suggests lawyer. It is not worth the stress and trouble for me. And most lawyer won't take cases like these that don't make enough money for them.

[ACE]

I am curious about your tummy tuck. did you have skin on your upper belly and back as well or just the lower part under the belly button. I only ask because i went to get a consult and the doc i saw said especially for wls patients to be sure you get the surgery where they cut you all the way around and pull everything down (i believe they called it a lower lift) otherwise i would end up needing a "revision" because there would still be so much extra skin. But I went to the surgeon for skin that my sleeve surgeon sends patients to and he said NOTHING about the lower lift until i told him i was told I would need that. Until that point he was acting as if a tummy tuck would solve my skin issues.
So rorry you are going through this but glad you posted it so that others know.

[Munchkin]

No, I didn't need a lower body lift. That I have checked with 3 PS. I need a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty. The upside down T tummy tuck. I have a short body. Only 4'10".

My back really doesn't have much excess skin. My surgeon was conservative even though I told him beforehand scar doesn't bother me. He didn't cut out enough and didn't make the vertical cut. And for us sleevers, our skins is not in the best condition, skin stretches a lot.

[MBL]

I am sorry it was not successful! You are absolutely right about getting a lawyer though. People scream "get a lawyer" at the drop of a hat, but many, many cases are not worth the time for the attorney as they only get a percentage of total recovery. By the time you have expert witness fees etc. no one is getting much of anything even if the case is successful. It IS always good to double check that though as many attorneys will do an initial consultation free. Nothing to lose there. Good luck!

[Toopie2Seater]

I'm sorry that you'll have to have a revision, and even moreso that your surgeon is leaving his practice. Will he not still honor his revision policy at his new location? Also, I'm glad you're wise enough about skipping the lawyer route. The disclaimers built into the consent forms for plastic surgery are immense. As I'm sure you know, the results aren't guaranteed because even if a surgeon does everything correctly, some patients may still be displeased and want to sue. The revision policy is there as sort of a go-between so that a surgeon still has an opportunity to correct any work after the fact. I think it's amazing of you to give people a heads up about revision policies with plastic surgery. That is definitely not a routine question someone would think to ask. It does suck that you have to have a redo. =(

[Munchkin]

I need to find out from the surgeon whether the revision policy will carry over to the new practice. He stopped answering my questions, email, phone call, etc after he told me he was leaving. Finally I complained about it to the hospital and got a phone call from him after two weeks.

[Lorna Doone]

Revisions are pretty common in both weight loss surgery and plastic surgery. My daughter has been for 2 breast implant surgeries. She used a different surgeon for the 2nd surgery and got better results. I have known girl's that have gone for a 2nd tummy tuck. Sometimes it's the surgeon. Some are better than others and do a better job. As for scars, there's doctor's who can remove the scars with a new laser surgery.

Sometimes it's good to hear about good surgeon's through word of mouth and check the reviews on the internet. If a surgeon messes up a surgery you can read his reviews. Google his name. Likewise if he does good work people will recommend him.

[Munchkin]

more reasons to ask about the revision policy. So people know what to expect.

Sometimes if the surgeon cut too much, the incision can split, cut not enough will need a redo.

[MysticalMaybe]

Yes I have been researching too and most of the doctors told me to wait till I absolutely stop losing the weight. I'm a year out and some said they could do it, others told me to work on building muscle first. My sleeve doctor said that my skin is still catching up so that could factor in plastics. (you can tell because on side of me is really flabby and the other side is getting firmer (As firm as it can get)

I'm sorry you are going through this but your story brings up yet a few more questions I need to ask the plastic's doctors, Revisions and Retirement!

So thank you for telling us

[Ann2]

Eeee-yowtch!

So sorry you're having these problems.

Pretty sure I'll become best friends with shapewear. It's a good thing hubby and I are so comfy with each other's scars and stretch marks, overhangs and droops. We just laugh what old folks do -- laugh about how old we're getting.

As they say, the alternative ....

[Munchkin]

Part of having TT is, you have to wear shaped wear for months. Those thing are hot. Now that i need another surgery, I don't wear them anymore. Gave me rash.

[Aquajog]

At my age and with my slower and less weight loss ,I do not think I will need to look into plastic ... But I have seen some people on this site get them with fantastic results ..

[Heather1979]

Sorry to hear after everything you've find your TT wasn't successful it must be awful. Here's hoping you will get sorted soon . Good luck

[Batmanswifeislosing]

I also had some complications and now need a scar revision s well as revision to take care of a small amount of "dog ears" that I got. I need the scar revision to to deal with where my incision came OPEN about 5-6 weeks post op. I will post some pictures on my profile in the "after" folder as I feel they are too graphic to post out in the open on here.
I hope you get things settled and get the results you want. Goo duck to you and I am sorry that you also had a bad experience with your TT.

[Munchkin]

Thanks all. The hospital I went to was completely non caring. I can pull out 5 inches of excess skin in my stomach.

Went to see the Chief of Plastic surgeon, he said the result is a good one, I don't need a revision,if I want another surgery, pay another $11k.