Reverse Tummy Tuck

This is a frequently requested procedure that is basically the opposite of a traditional tummy tuck.

In a traditional tummy tuck the abdominal skin is pulled down towards the pubic area, allowing the surgeon to remove the skin between the pubic area and the belly button.  This leaves a hip-to-hip scar and a circular scar around the umbilicus.

In a reverse tummy tuck, the surgeon pulls the skin upwards, removing the skin of the upper abdomen and creating a scar that extends underneath both breasts and across the breast bone (sternum).

There are many issues I have with this surgery.

First, the scar across the sternum often thickens (hypertrophies).  As any cardiac surgeon will tell you, scars along the sternum have a high rate of thickening and even becoming keloids.

Second, in most women who’ve had children, the skin that is removed in a traditional tummy tuck – that which lies between the umbilicus and pubic area- is usually the most stretched-out skin of the abdomen.  This is the skin that is most likely to have stretch marks and look poor.  That’s one reason why a traditional tummy tuck works so well.  The damaged skin is removed, and the tighter, less affected skin of the upper abdomen remains.

In a reverse tummy tuck, this skin is kept, and the skin of the upper abdomen – which is usually smoother and has less stretch marks than the lower abdomen – is the skin that is cut out.  Therefore, this surgery removes good skin, leaving the bad.

For these reasons, the Reverse Tummy Tuck is on my Holistic Beauty Blacklist.

Note: This is based solely on the opinions of Dr. Youn, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all doctors or the standard of care in your area. Before you undergo any invasive cosmetic treatment, make sure you consult with a real board-certified plastic surgeon.