Tummy Tuck Revision

Tummy Tuck Revision Bellevue & Kirkland

Tummy tuck surgery offers a high rate of satisfaction among patients. However, like with all surgeries, occasionally something will turn out differently. While this is not the majority of cases, it is more common among people who travel out of the country for cheaper plastic surgery or who seek out an unqualified surgeon. Thankfully, if only the aesthetics are lacking, this can often be corrected via a tummy tuck revision. Dr. Craig Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery performs the best tummy tuck revision Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Understanding Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery aims to remove excess skin on the lower abdomen, correct separated abdominal muscles, and create a flatter abdomen. It is most commonly performed after pregnancy, massive weight loss, or due to aging. This helps patients maintain a more youthful figure, even after children or aging. Tummy tucks are often performed alongside other body contouring procedures such as liposuction or a mons pubis lift.

Before undergoing abdominoplasty surgery, Dr. Jonov will ask you if you plan to have more children and if you are at a stable weight. If you do plan to have more children or are not at a stable weight, you may need to wait until you meet that criteria. This is because gaining (or sometimes even losing) a large amount of weight such as during pregnancy or massive weight fluctuations can undo tummy tuck results and cause the need for a revision.

With that said, not all revisions are caused due to this. Some tummy tucks fail or are performed incorrectly which leads to the need for a tummy tuck revision.

Reasons For Revision

Patients seek tummy tuck revisions due to several reasons. Some may not be satisfied with the results and others may need massive correction. It will vary for each individual. Some reasons patients undergo a tummy tuck revision include:

• Inadequate skin removal
• Muscle plication failure
• Contour irregularities due to lumps and bumps
• Bulges along the abdomen
• Improperly placed or healed scarring
• Reshape or resize the belly button
• Injury or trauma to the abdomen
• Dog ear deformity

A patient may also undergo a revision for more personal reasons. Though every patient is unique and will need a personalized abdominoplasty revision surgery to see the results they want.

Benefits

Choosing to have a revisional surgery comes with certain benefits and risks. It is important for patients to carefully weigh each. When it comes to a revision tummy tuck, the benefits often outweigh the risks. Dr. Jonov will discuss this with you during a consultation.

The most obvious benefit of a tummy tuck revision is that it should improve the look of the tummy tuck and correct an unideal result. Beyond this though, a tummy tuck revision may offer benefits such as:

• Improve previous tummy tuck results
• Remove additional skin if needed
• Perform liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits
• Reposition or minimize the scar
• Address weight changes that may have affected their results
• Repair muscle plication if necessary
• Reduced recovery time (in many, but not all cases)
• Help create a flatter tummy

Risks

The risks of a tummy tuck revision are similar to those of any surgery. However, depending on the specifics, other risks could include:

• Failure to correct the issue
• Scarring
• Seroma
• Skin necrosis
• Nerve damage
• Complications associated with general anesthesia
• Failure of muscle plication

Major complications are rare during and after a tummy tuck revision in Bellevue. Dr. Jonov will evaluate your situation and determine the least risky way to address it.

From Beginning To End: Revision Tummy Tuck Surgery

Consultation

For a tummy tuck revision, the consultation appointment is crucial. Dr. Jonov will want to know about your previous procedure, why you are not returning to your original surgeon, and what you hope to achieve with the revisional surgery. Next, he will review your medical history and the medications you take. Finally, Dr. Jonov will examine the abdomen and previous surgical site.

If Dr. Jonov believes a revision tummy tuck is the right way to proceed, he will describe the proposed surgical plan. Due to the various reasons why someone may seek a tummy tuck revision, the surgery may look extremely different between patients. After describing the surgical technique, you will also receive a price quote and financing information.

Surgery

As previously mentioned, the surgery itself will look different depending on the goals. Some patients may only undergo a minor procedure such as reshaping or resizing the belly button. Others may have moderate surgery such as liposuction. Furthermore, some patients may have the entire abdominoplasty redone.

Most of the time, a tummy tuck revision is performed under general anesthesia. Though, the surgical and recovery time do tend to be shorter than a full tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Jonov can provide a better idea of what your surgery will look like after a consultation appointment.

Recovery

A tummy tuck revision often has an easier and shorter recovery than the original tummy tuck. This is true much of the time, but not for every revision. It depends on the extent of the surgery as well as your own body and healing process. Despite this, the aftercare instructions will often be similar to the first tummy tuck. These instructions may include:

• Avoid putting any tension on the incision
• Take one to two weeks off work
• Stay bent at an angle (may not be recommended for those who undergo more minor revisions)
• Wear compression garments if prescribed
• Do not return to activities before being cleared to do so
• Keep the incision from getting wet
• Care for the scar as directed
• Do not smoke

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Non-Surgical Ways To Revise A Tummy Tuck?

Yes, revising previous tummy tuck results does not always require a surgical procedure. Some of the possible non-surgical options include:

• Microneedling/RF microneedling (for scarring)
• J-plasma skin tightening
• Fat freezing technologies
• Adequate diet and exercise
• Physical therapy (often used after injuries to the abdominal muscles)

How Long After A Tummy Tuck Can You Get A Revision?

Plastic surgeons generally recommend that patients wait at least one year before seeking revision surgery. This is because the site of a major surgery takes a year to fully settle and heal enough to show the final result. While most obvious swelling and bruising dissipate within a few months, the body is still healing and settling for several months.

You may consider consulting for a revision at around nine months, but this is the absolute earliest you should consider it. While it can be frustrating waiting weeks and months to see the results you want, it often is worth it. 

Can You Damage The Results Of A Tummy Tuck?

Yes, pregnancy and weight gain are the two most common ways to damage tummy tuck results. The abdominal muscles can become separated again due to the stretch of the skin and tissues. Thus, the stretched skin can be left behind and bunch up like before the original surgery.

Another less common way to damage the results of a tummy tuck is through injury to the abdomen or hernias. This can occur during certain exercises, injuries, or trauma to the abdomen. In these cases, surgery is not always the first treatment recommended since you need to heal from the initial injury first. Some people will see no major difference once fully healed while others may need to correct aspects of their abdominoplasty.

How Often Do Tummy Tucks Need Revision?

It is rare for a tummy tuck patient to undergo a full-scale tummy tuck revision. Fine-tuning of the scar or belly button is slightly more common, but still, the majority of surgeries do not require any sort of revision due to surgical complications.

What Is The Cost & Is There Financing?

Since the exact surgical technique is not known prior to a consultation, it is difficult to offer a precise cost estimate. The price fluctuates drastically depending on if you just need to tweak the belly button or undergo an entire fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. You will receive a personalized price quote at your consultation. You can also view our full suite of pricing on our price list and via Price Simulator.

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery does work with outside financing companies including Care Credit. You can find more information about the companies we work with and direct links to apply on our financing page.

The Leading Tummy Tuck Revision With Dr. Craig Jonov

Dr. Craig Jonov of The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is an experienced and talented plastic surgeon. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Jonov specializes in body plastic surgeries, including tummy tuck revisions. He has performed countless tummy tuck surgeries using varying techniques. Dr. Jonov offers the best tummy tuck revision Bellevue and Kirkland can provide.

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is a premier plastic and cosmetic surgery clinic. Featuring a JCAHO-certified facility, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is one of the top destinations for tummy tuck surgery in the Pacific Northwest. Located in Lynnwood, WA, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is centrally located and easily accessible from I-5.

To schedule a consultation, call us at 425-775-3561. You can also reach out to us online via Price Simulator, chat, and contact form.