Abdominoplasty in Seoul: are the results maintained 15 months after surgery?
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20s |
83kg |
163cm |
32 |
Surgical site
Surgical site : Abdomen, M-Type, Rectus Muscle Repair｜ liposuction aspirate volume : 4,900cc
Can the Improved Abdominal Contour After a Tummy Tuck Last Long-Term?
When loose skin is removed and abdominal liposuction
is performed together, improvements in lower abdominal sagging
and overall abdominal thickness can remain visible
even as more time passes after surgery.
However, the appropriate surgical range should be determined
based on the degree of skin laxity, the condition
of the abdominal wall, and any future pregnancy plans.
When significant weight gain persists for a long period,
fat accumulation is not the only change
that can occur in the abdomen.
Along with an increase in overall abdominal thickness,
the skin below the belly button may become stretched,
and the lower abdomen may begin to fold
over the underwear line.
In these cases, it is important to evaluate more than
just the amount of excess body fat.
Skin elasticity, where the sagging begins,
and whether the abdominal wall has shifted forward
should also be assessed together.
This patient had fat distributed broadly
throughout the abdomen and was particularly concerned
about loose skin below the belly button
that formed a long fold over the underwear line.
[Preoperative Assessment of Skin Sagging Below the Belly Button and Abdominal Thickness]
Before surgery, fat was widely distributed
from the upper to the lower abdomen,
creating noticeable thickness throughout the abdomen.
In addition, the lower abdominal skin sagged heavily downward,
making the lower abdomen appear even more prominent.
The skin extending downward from the upper abdomen
formed a horizontal fold around the belly button,
causing the belly button to appear elongated and compressed.
Stretch marks from significant previous skin expansion
were also widely visible across the lower abdomen
and flanks.
[Preoperative Surgical Plan Considering Lower Abdominal Skin Sagging and Incision Range]
From the side view, both the upper
and lower abdomen projected forward
around the belly button.
This was considered to be caused not only
by subcutaneous fat and loose skin,
but also by structural protrusion
of the abdominal wall.
The patient therefore required abdominal liposuction
to reduce fat throughout the abdomen, along with
an M-type full tummy tuck to pull down and remove
the stretched skin from the upper abdomen.
Because the position and shape of the existing belly button
had been altered by the loose skin, umbilicoplasty
was also planned to create a new belly button
during the tummy tuck.
[Why Rectus Muscle Repair Was Excluded Due to Future Pregnancy Plans]
The patient was unmarried and had plans
for marriage and pregnancy in the future.
Although the abdominal wall was protruding forward,
the possibility of the abdomen stretching again
during a future pregnancy also needed to be considered.
After a thorough consultation, it was decided
to proceed with abdominal liposuction,
an M-type full tummy tuck, and umbilicoplasty
without rectus muscle repair.
The surgical approach for a tummy tuck
should not be determined solely by
the current appearance of the abdomen.
The extent of skin laxity and condition
of the abdominal wall should be considered together
with childbirth history and future pregnancy plans
when determining the appropriate surgical range.
[Changes in Lower Abdominal Sagging and Belly Button Shape from the Front 1 Year and 3 Months After Tummy Tuck]
Let’s compare the patient’s appearance
before surgery and 1 year and 3 months
after the tummy tuck.
Before surgery, the loose lower abdominal skin
formed a long fold over the underwear line,
making the lower abdomen appear heavy and sagging.
After surgery, the excess skin was removed,
eliminating the lower abdominal fold and creating
a smoother, firmer lower abdominal contour.
Fat that had been widely distributed throughout
the abdomen was also reduced, making the waistline
appear more clearly defined than before surgery.
[Changes in Lower Abdominal Protrusion and Flank Contour from an Oblique View 1 Year and 3 Months After Tummy Tuck]
From the oblique view, the reduction
in overall abdominal volume and changes
in the flanks can be seen more clearly.
The loose skin was removed with a tummy tuck,
while abdominal liposuction was performed at the same time,
creating a lighter and slimmer appearance
in the previously thick and heavy front abdomen.
As the fat along the flanks was also reduced,
the waist became more naturally defined,
and the contour from the center of the abdomen
toward the hips appeared smoother than before.
The belly button, which had previously appeared
horizontally stretched and compressed due to loose skin,
was reconstructed into a more vertical shape
that better complemented the waistline
and improved the overall balance of the abdomen.
[Changes in Lower Abdominal Protrusion and Abdominal Contour from the Side 1 Year and 3 Months After Tummy Tuck]
From the side view, the reduction in sagging skin
and overall abdominal volume can be clearly seen.
Before surgery, both the upper and lower abdomen
projected forward, while the loose skin
further emphasized the heavy appearance
of the lower abdomen.
At 1 year and 3 months after surgery,
the stretched skin and abdominal fat were reduced,
creating a firmer and smoother contour
across the front abdomen.
[Changes in Lower Abdominal Skin Folding When Bending Forward 1 Year and 3 Months After Tummy Tuck]
Abdominal skin sagging can become more noticeable
when bending forward than when standing upright.
Before surgery, when the patient bent forward,
the remaining loose skin shifted downward
and created deep folds across the lower abdomen.
After surgery, the excess skin was removed,
so even when bending forward, the lower abdomen
no longer forms multiple heavy folds or sags downward.
The abdomen maintains a firmer and smoother contour
even in the bent-forward position.
[Incision Placement Hidden by Underwear and Scar Healing 1 Year and 3 Months After Tummy Tuck]
At 1 year and 3 months after tummy tuck surgery,
much of the redness along the lower abdominal incision
has faded, and the scar has settled into a more stable stage.
The incision is positioned relatively low
on the lower abdomen, allowing it to be naturally concealed
when wearing underwear.
The patient was advised that with continued scar care,
the color of the scar may gradually fade further
over time.
[Front-View Selfie Comparison Before and After Tummy Tuck Surgery]
[Front-View Selfie Comparison Before and After Tummy Tuck Surgery]
The patient’s own before-and-after photos
also show a noticeable change in the lower abdomen.
Before surgery, the sagging skin made the lower abdomen
stand out when wearing fitted clothing,
giving the entire abdominal area a heavier appearance.
After surgery, the lower abdominal skin became smoother
and the waistline more defined, so the lower abdomen
no longer appears as prominent in fitted clothing.
Even when wearing a lightweight, flowing dress,
the lower abdomen no longer projects forward
or stands out through the clothing as it did before.
The patient was highly satisfied that the abdomen,
which had previously appeared heavy due to loose skin,
now looked firmer and smoother.
She was also pleased that she no longer needed
to consider her lower abdomen as much
when choosing what to wear.
This patient had widespread abdominal fat
after weight gain, along with skin laxity
extending from the upper abdomen
down to the lower abdomen.
Abdominal liposuction, an M-type full tummy tuck,
and umbilicoplasty were performed together.
At 1 year and 3 months after surgery,
the reduction in lower abdominal folding
and the firmer abdominal contour were still maintained.
Rectus muscle repair was not performed
because of the patient’s future pregnancy plans.
However, by addressing both the loose skin
and abdominal fat, overall abdominal volume was reduced
and the waistline became more clearly defined.
The patient was also satisfied that her lower abdomen
no longer stood out when wearing fitted clothing or dresses
and that her abdomen appeared lighter and smoother.
When abdominal fat and loose skin are both present,
as in this case, exercise and dieting alone
may not always achieve the desired change.
It is important to determine whether abdominal thickness
is primarily caused by fat or whether loose skin
and the condition of the abdominal wall
also need to be evaluated before choosing
the appropriate surgical approach.
Tummy Tuck FAQ
Q1. Do tummy tuck results last over time?
The improvement achieved by removing loose, excess skin
can be maintained for a long period.
However, significant weight changes or pregnancy
after surgery may affect the abdominal skin
and overall contour again.
Q2. Can abdominal liposuction alone improve loose lower abdominal skin?
Abdominal liposuction is a procedure
that reduces excess fat.
If there is a significant amount of loose skin,
liposuction alone may not be sufficient
to fully improve the sagging skin.
Q3. Can I have a tummy tuck if I am unmarried?
A tummy tuck may still be considered
depending on the current condition of the abdomen.
However, future pregnancy plans should be discussed
when determining whether rectus muscle repair is needed
and how extensive the surgery should be.
Q4. Will my belly button change after a tummy tuck?
With an M-type full tummy tuck, umbilicoplasty
may be required as the stretched abdominal skin
is pulled downward.
In this case, the horizontally compressed belly button
was reconstructed into a more vertical shape.
Q5. Can a tummy tuck scar be hidden by underwear?
The incision is designed with a relatively low position
on the lower abdomen in mind.
However, the actual position and length of the scar
may vary depending on the extent of skin laxity
and the amount of skin that needs to be removed.
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