Revision Tummy Tuck

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles

A revision tummy tuck, or secondary abdominoplasty, is a procedure done to correct or enhance the results of the initial tummy tuck. ⁽¹⁾ After an initial tummy tuck, which is meant to sculpt and contour the midsection, some patients may seek an additional surgery to address certain aspects of the first procedure, such as excessive or warped scarring and loose skin–other patients are simply are looking for better results. ⁽¹⁾

A revision procedure can also be done if a patient has undergone liposuction after their first tummy tuck, since it may leave behind hanging skin, even if hanging skin had previously been removed. This procedure can be done soon after the first tummy tuck, in response to more immediately apparent complications, or it can be done years later. It is completely understandable if the patient has received a tummy tuck at one point in their life, and seeks another later on due to age-related bodily changes. ⁽¹⁾

Dr. Michael Zarrabi is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with an office location in Santa Monica. He has performed thousands of tummy tucks in Southern California and is committed to making sure you have a comfortable and empowering experience. He works to make sure that any aesthetic changes his patients wish to make are achieved in a way that looks natural and graceful, while still greatly improving self-esteem and quality of life. If you are interested in a revision tummy tuck, contact our office at (310) 584-9990, or fill out our online contact form.

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About the Revision Tummy Tuck

During a revision tummy tuck, Dr. Zarrabi considers a few different areas, while keeping in mind the results from your first tummy tuck:

Umbilicus Positioning

During a revision tummy tuck, Dr. Zarrabi will document the precise location of your umbilicus, or navel, as it appears in your midsection. If the surgeon who performed the initial tummy tuck did not choose the correct placement for your navel when performing the previous surgery, this may have resulted in a stretched navel, fracturing the overall appearance of the midsection and causing tension. ⁽¹⁾ Fortunately, Dr. Zarrabi is able to improve features of asymmetry and tension during a revision tummy tuck by correcting the position of your navel.

Scarring

If your scar was not properly anchored during your first tummy tuck, you might find that your scar has begun to migrate, or move to unintended areas. Or, you may witness the broadening or distortion of your scar, due to tension in the skin caused by a less-than-optimally-performed surgery. ⁽¹⁾ During a revision tummy tuck, Dr. Zarrabi can make your scar less noticeable by repositioning and properly anchoring the incision.

Diastasis Recti Repair

In some cases of revision tummy tucks, examination reveals that the first surgery has caused diastasis recti, or the separation of the left and right sides of the abdomen muscles. This can cause a visible bulge that is counterintuitive to your appearance goals. If this is the case, Dr. Zarrabi will perform plication, or muscle repair, in order to corset and tighten the appearance of the abdomen. ⁽¹⁾ If partial plication has been performed previously, Dr. Zarrabi can tailor this procedure to the patient’s unique experience.

Benefits of Revision Tummy Tuck

A revision tummy tuck can help you get the results you were hoping for after your first tummy tuck. Specifically, it can make scarring from the first procedure appear more discrete. If you have gained or lost a significant amount of weight since your first procedure, a revision tummy tuck will enhance the results of your first procedure by contributing to a slimmer appearance. If the surgeon who performed your first tummy tuck did not practice optimal techniques, Dr. Zarrabi will work to help you achieve the results you deserve.

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for a revision tummy tuck if:

You are dissatisfied with the results of your first tummy tuck.
You have healed from your first tummy tuck procedure.
You are in overall good health.
You are not a smoker or are willing to quit.

Dr. Zarrabi will help you determine if you are eligible for a revision tummy tuck during your initial consultation and physical examination.

Personal Consultation

Before your procedure, you will be directed to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Zarrabi. This important first step will not only introduce you to Dr. Zarrabi, but will also give you the time and space to share any and all of your concerns regarding a revision tummy tuck and your past procedure.

To schedule a consultation, call our Santa Monica office at (310) 584-9990, and our team will help you set up an appointment date. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out our online form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you choose to opt for a virtual consultation, you will have the option to submit photos and other information for Dr. Zarrabi to review.

Preparation

Before your procedure, Dr. Zarrabi will learn the precise way that your initial tummy tuck was executed in order to correct any mistakes and produce the best results.

There are some basic preoperative instructions we ask our patients to follow. These include:

Refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
No food or drink after midnight on the night before your procedure.
Begin to shower using Hibiclens at least 2 nights before your procedure.
Do not wear lotion on the day of your procedure.
Arrange for a trustworthy individual to drive you home from your procedure.

Dr. Zarrabi will let you know if you need to arrange for somebody to be able to stay with you overnight to provide assistance during the initial phase of your recovery.

Procedure

On the day of your procedure, we ask that you arrive at your appointment on time.

Dr. Zarrabi will begin the procedure by marking where the new scar will be placed. Then, he will fix the umbilicus position using a new incision and carefully perform muscle repair. If your previous surgeon happened to remove the structure that connects to your navel, Dr. Zarrabi can create a neo-umbilicus or a newly constructed navel that is aesthetically pleasing. ⁽²⁾ These steps will ensure that the tissue of your abdomen appears firmer and more evenly distributed. Dr. Zarrabi will fix your new incision to your abdomen muscles so that the scar appears symmetrical and does not shift over time. ⁽¹⁾

Recovery

The recovery for your revision tummy tuck will most likely be very similar to your first tummy tuck but might take slightly longer. ⁽²⁾ While Dr. Zarrabi will give you an in-depth guide for a successful recovery, there are a few post-operative instructions that we recommend all of our patients follow:

Follow medication instructions given by Dr. Zarrabi.
Continue to refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications unless instructed otherwise.
Go on low-impact walks to help encourage blood flow.
Sleep with your back elevated.
Keep compression garments and bandages in place until your next appointment.

Results

After your revision tummy tuck, you will enjoy more discrete scarring, and an overall smoother, flatter midsection. Your scars will appear less noticeable, so you can feel comfortable in your skin.

Like your original tummy tuck, the results will be best preserved if you prioritize physical health and maintain a healthy diet. Once fully healed, Dr. Zarrabi specifically recommends tummy-toning exercises like planking. This will keep the results looking toned and firm.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Liposuction

While a tummy tuck will help you achieve a firmer physique, liposuction is intended for the removal of stubborn fat deposits. If you have fat deposits you would like to address in addition to unsatisfactory initial tummy tuck results, Dr. Zarrabi may suggest liposuction as a complementary procedure. While not designed as a weight loss procure, liposuction in chosen areas can lend to a more contoured appearance in addition to your revision tummy tuck.

360º Body Lift

Dr. Zarrabi offers a 360º body lift procedure that aims to reduce excess skin in the abdomen and along the back. If you feel like you have excess skin on your back and would like to have this addressed at the same time as your revision tummy tuck, receiving a 360º body lift could be the solution. This procedure is suggested if you have recently undergone a significant weight loss, and nagging amounts of skin have been left behind. Ask Dr. Zarrabi if you would be able to receive this procedure at the same time.

Mommy Makeover

If your original tummy tuck results have been impacted by a pregnancy, and there are other areas of your body you would like to address, a mommy makeover may be right for you. This is a comprehensive procedure that is perfect for mothers who are having difficulty reclaiming their pre-pregnancy bodies by way of exercise and mindful nutrition. During a mommy makeover, Dr. Zarrabi will not only address your revision tummy tuck, but he will also tailor other corresponding procedures to fit your goals, such as breast augmentation and liposuction.

Cost of a Revision Tummy Tuck in Santa Monica

Because a revision tummy tuck is so personalized, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pricing at our office. For more information, please give us a call at (310) 584-9990, and we will set up a consultation where Dr. Zarrabi will be happy to discuss your highly individualized procedure in more detail. Zarrabi Plastic Surgery has a financing option that acts as a helpful resource to qualifying patients.

FAQ

If I get a revision tummy tuck, will I have more scarring?

Even though a revision tummy tuck is another surgery, it will actually reduce the appearance of scarring from your first procedure. This is just one area Dr. Zarrabi will address during your revision tummy tuck.

Does my revision tummy tuck need to be done by the same plastic surgeon who did my first tummy tuck?

No, your revision tummy tuck can be done by a completely different surgeon than the one who did your first tummy tuck. If you were unhappy with your original tummy tuck results, all the more reason to branch out to another plastic surgeon.

Can I revise any procedures other than the tummy tuck?

Other procedures can also be revised by Dr. Zarrabi. For example, Dr. Zarrabi offers many different types of breast revision surgeries.

References

Cormenzana PS, Samprón NM, Escudero-Nafs FJ. Secondary Abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2008;32(3):503-508. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-008-9135-9
Vidal P, Berner JE, Will PA. Managing Complications in Abdominoplasty: A Literature Review. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2017;44(5):457-468. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2017.44.5.457