Tummy Tuck Revision
Conveniently located to serve Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Los Angeles, NYC, and Miami.
A tummy tuck revision is a surgical procedure that improves the contours of the abdomen to correct unwanted issues a patient has experienced after a previous tummy tuck. At the prestigious medical practice of Dr. Jason Emer in Beverly Hills, tummy tuck revision surgery is performed by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Yoel Rojas.
Dr. Rojas is one of few cosmetic surgeons with the extensive training and experience required to achieve dramatic aesthetic improvements with the tummy tuck revision procedure. He takes extreme care at every step of the treatment process to ensure a safe procedure and the best possible outcome.
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK REVISION?
Tummy tuck revision surgery is intended to restore or achieve the firmer, flatter contours your initial abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, was meant to deliver. This procedure may also be referred to as a revision tummy tuck, revision abdominoplasty, secondary abdominoplasty, or secondary tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck revisions can be performed to address:
- Noticeable lumps and unevenness
- Pronounced asymmetry
- Loose, excess skin
- Small pockets of unwanted fat
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Abnormal scarring
- Aesthetic concerns with the appearance and/or placement of the belly button
RIGHT FOR YOU?
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK REVISION?
Patients will need to meet general health requirements and must not have any medical conditions that impede the body’s healing processes. Candidates should be close to or at their ideal body weight.
If you are unhappy with the results of a prior tummy tuck because you still have excess skin and fat and/or separated muscles; your abdominal contours are lumpy or asymmetrical; or you have excessive scarring, you may be a candidate for a revision tummy tuck. In the vast majority of cases, patients must wait a year or longer after the primary abdominoplasty in order to be considered candidates for a revision tummy tuck.
It is also important that candidates have realistic expectations for the outcome of tummy tuck revision surgery based on information Dr. Rojas provides during the initial consultation. Results vary in relation to the severity of the patient’s concerns.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A TUMMY TUCK REVISION?
Tummy tuck revision surgery can be very similar to a primary tummy tuck but also can involve corrective techniques to resolve complications from the previous procedure. Often, the goals and methods associated with tummy tuck revision surgery are much like those associated with primary abdominoplasty procedures, which typically focus on:
Patients who have gained and lost considerable amounts of weight and women who have had one or more pregnancies are often left with loose, hanging skin in the abdominal area. This is because skin that has stretched significantly to accommodate excess volume can lose its ability to retract once that volume is gone. Once the skin is overstretched, the only way to lose that bulk and restore smoother, flatter contours is to surgically remove the excess.
Diastasis recti is a condition in which the abdominal muscles weaken and separate. When this occurs, the abdomen protrudes, creating larger midsection contours and obscuring the waistline. If separated and weak muscles are not sufficiently tightened during a tummy tuck, or if a patient develops diastasis recti sometime after their primary abdominoplasty, correction is possible with a tummy tuck revision.
A common misconception about tummy tuck surgery is that it is also a fat reduction treatment. While minor amounts of fat can be removed during primary and secondary abdominoplasty, liposuction may be necessary when patients have more substantial fat deposits in the abdominal area. Dr. Rojas can incorporate liposuction into a tummy tuck or tummy tuck revision procedure.
Beyond addressing excess skin and fat and weakened muscles, a secondary tummy tuck can require advanced scar revision methods. Abnormal scar tissue formation can involve visible, surface level irregularities in coloration, shape, and size, along with hard lumps of scar tissue under the skin, which may cause noticeable bulges and bumps in the abdominal contours.
Tummy tuck scar revision can be incredibly complex. Dr. Rojas is one of a very limited number of plastic surgeons who have the requisite skill, experience, and knowledge to address this aspect of tummy tuck revision. He relies on his extensive training and refined suturing techniques to successfully excise scar tissue and minimize post-op marks, so he can provide exceptional tummy tuck revision results.
RIGHT FOR YOU?
WHY WOULD SOMEONE NEED A TUMMY TUCK REVISION?
The need for a tummy tuck revision can arise for a variety of reasons. While there are many precautions patients and surgeons can take to promote optimal healing and lasting improvements to avoid the need for a revision surgery, there is no way to foresee and circumvent every possible risk in every case.
In some instances, unplanned changes in a patient’s physique can undo the improvements accomplished with the primary tummy tuck surgery. Significant weight fluctuations and/or becoming pregnant after an abdominoplasty procedure can compromise the flatter, smoother, and shapelier contours achieved with the primary tummy tuck.
A disrupted or delayed healing process can also negatively impact the outcome of a tummy tuck. Patients who disregard post-op protocols for proper wound care, physical activity restrictions, refraining from smoking during tummy tuck recovery, or other aspects of aftercare can develop complications that could create the need for a revision surgery, such as an infection and/or excessive scarring.
Abnormal and overly prominent tummy tuck scars are one of the more common reasons a secondary tummy tuck may be necessary. One cause of large, thick, discolored, and irregularly shaped tummy tuck scars is improper surgical technique.
However, abnormal tummy tuck scarring can occur even if the surgery was executed flawlessly. In such cases, there may be an issue at play that is outside of the surgeon’s or patient’s scope of influence, such as a previously unknown and undiagnosed medical condition that interferes with the body’s wound healing ability.
Alternatively, the patient’s attention or inattention to their aftercare instructions can make the difference between expedient healing and minimal post-op marks or a revision tummy tuck. Stretching or straining the surgical site, such as by reintroducing intense physical exertion before adequate healing has occurred, can re-open the incision and lead to abnormal scar tissue formation.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TUMMY TUCK REVISION SURGERY
You will meet with Dr. Rojas pre-operatively, so he can mark the abdomen, as needed, to create a visual map of your unique surgical plan. He can also answer any final questions you may have about your tummy tuck revision procedure.
Dr. Rojas is exceptionally meticulous and thorough when it comes to the pre-op skin marking process, so he can be as precise as possible when performing your surgery. In this video, he demonstrates and explains his surgical marking method for revision tummy tuck procedures.
To begin your tummy tuck revision surgery, you will be given anesthesia, so you remain comfortable during the procedure. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Rojas can make the necessary incisions for your procedure. He can then remove and reposition tissue and repair weak or separated abdominal muscles.
No two revision tummy tucks are exactly the same, as every patient has distinct concerns, needs, and goals. Prior to the day of your surgery, Dr. Rojas will walk you through the specifics of your revision abdominoplasty, so you know what to expect in terms of the type of anesthesia you will be given, the surgical techniques that will be used, and the estimated duration of your surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TUMMY TUCK REVISION RECOVERY
Recovering from a tummy tuck revision takes about the same amount of time as primary abdominoplasty recovery. You may need a week or two of downtime before returning to work, For the first 24-48 hours of your recovery, you will need a friend, family member, or trusted caregiver to stay with you in your home and assist you.
After three to four weeks, post-op discomfort and swelling will have subsided considerably, and you will be able to begin gradually increasing your physical activity, as directed by Dr. Rojas.
Total recovery time after a secondary tummy tuck varies from patient to patient. For most patients, complete recovery from tummy tuck revision surgery takes about 12 weeks.
TUMMY TUCK REVISION RESULTS
It can take six months or more to arrive at your final tummy tuck revision results. Once all post-op swelling has resolved, your firmer, flatter abdomen will be revealed. It is absolutely vital that you follow all of Dr. Rojas’ aftercare instructions, so you can heal as quickly as possible and minimize the likelihood of complications.
When scar revision is incorporated into secondary abdominoplasty, patients can achieve dramatic aesthetic improvements. Dr. Rojas can often remove all or most of the excess scar tissue to eliminate visible discoloration and distortion at the surface level, as well as any hard lumps of scar tissue beneath the skin’s surface.
After scar tissue has been removed, Dr. Rojas uses advanced suturing and skin repositioning techniques to ensure that the incision site is well-supported and that the skin in the area is not under any tension as it heals. These steps are critical for ensuring the most discreet post-op marks possible after tummy tuck revision.
Dr. Rojas will provide recommendations for in-office and at-home treatments that can prevent unnecessary scar tissue formation. With proper care, incision lines typically fade considerably over the year following a revision tummy tuck procedure.
HOW LONG DO TUMMY TUCK REVISION RESULTS LAST?
Tummy tuck revision results are intended to be permanent. However, the longevity of your secondary abdominoplasty results will largely depend on how well you manage your weight and whether you adopt a proactive anti-aging treatment regimen.
The biggest threats to your firmer, flatter abdomen after a tummy tuck revision are weight fluctuations and the natural aging process. Fortunately, when you combine a clean, healthy diet, regular exercise, and a customized protocol of non-surgical treatments, you can maintain your slim, firm waistline for many years.
Our anti-aging treatment protocols are tailored to the needs of the individual and may include:
- Hormone therapy, such as hormone optimization and/or hormone peptide therapy
- Muscle toning with BodyTone™ or truSculpt Flex™
- Fat reduction with BTL Vanquish ME
- Skin rejuvenation treatments like Ultherapy or Thermage,
AFTERCARE THERAPIES TO OPTIMIZE YOUR TUMMY TUCK REVISION RESULTS
Aftercare therapies are non-surgical treatments that support the healing process, shorten your recovery time, and maximize aesthetic improvements. Our aftercare treatment strategies for tummy tuck revision patients typically involve a combination of:
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT)
Frequent HBOT sessions during the initial stage of your tummy tuck revision recovery are ideal for accelerating the healing process. HBOT allows for an increased concentration of oxygen in the blood, which the body can then use to fuel various repair and regenerative processes.
LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
This gentle, specialized massage technique helps to flush toxins, reduce swelling, and speed up the healing process. Daily lymphatic massages may be recommended for up to two weeks following a tummy tuck revision.
IV VITAMIN HYDRATION THERAPY
IV vitamin hydration therapy is the fastest and most efficient way to replenish nutrients and fluids lost during surgery. Our IV Lounge in Beverly Hills offers targeted post-op IV cocktails, NAD IV therapy, and customized IV micronutrient treatments to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and provide a boost in overall wellness.
ECLIPSE MICROPEN MICRONEEDLING
Dr. Emer often combines Eclipse MicroPen treatments with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and growth factors for maximum improvements in skin texture and tone.
RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) TREATMENTS
External RF treatments with BTL Vanquish ME, BTL Exilis Ultra, and/or Venus Legacy can provide non-invasive skin tightening and rejuvenation, as well as fat reduction benefits.
THE DR. EMER DIFFERENCE
HOW WE DO TUMMY TUCK REVISION DIFFERENTLY
The most important element of a successful secondary abdominoplasty is the right surgeon, which is why Dr. Emer recruited Dr. Rojas to his practice. Dr. Rojas is highly regarded as one of the best plastic surgeons in West Hollywood.
He shares Dr. Emer’s solution-oriented mindset when it comes to correcting botched procedure outcomes and understands that more than the patient’s appearance is at stake with a revision procedure. Tummy tuck revision surgery can have a dramatic positive impact on a patient’s confidence, which often leads to an improvement in overall quality of life.
Another key aspect of our approach to providing the best tummy tuck revision surgery is our commitment to comprehensive care. We offer immediate aftercare therapies, long-term strategies for maintaining and enhancing cosmetic surgery results, and advanced combination treatments, so our patients can enjoy lasting, natural-looking enhancement.
HOW MUCH DOES A TUMMY TUCK REVISION COST?
The price of a revision tummy tuck differs from one patient to another based on several considerations. The extent of correction needed, the complexity of the patient’s surgical plan, and the specific surgical techniques required will impact the overall cost. Anesthesia and facility fees will also apply.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Whether your primary tummy tuck did not deliver the flatter, tighter, smoother look you anticipated and/or you were left with excessive scar tissue that causes you to feel self-conscious due to irregularities that can be both visual and textural, you owe it to yourself to explore what a tummy tuck revision can do for your appearance and your confidence.
With his many years of experience and insistence on exceptional outcomes, Dr. Rojas is considered a top provider of tummy tuck revision in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and the greater Los Angeles area. Contact our office today to arrange a consultation with Dr. Rojas, so he can assess your concerns and develop a personalized care strategy for accomplishing your cosmetic goals.
