Plastic surgery restores form and function through reconstructive procedures, cosmetic enhancements, and body contouring.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The main reason for a reverse tummy tuck is loose skin above the belly button. This is different from the lower belly bulge that most tummy tuck patients have. People who need this surgery often have thin, wrinkled skin that folds across the upper stomach, just below the breasts and above the waist.
This type of loose skin is frustrating because it doesn’t improve with diet or exercise—it’s not just fat, but skin that has lost its stretch. When people sit or bend, the skin bunches up into rolls that can be uncomfortable and look unappealing. The reverse tummy tuck removes this extra skin and pulls the rest tight.
Besides loose skin, many people also have stubborn fat in the upper abdomen and sides. This fat can be genetic and may not go away even after losing weight or exercising. It can make the upper body look thick or less defined.
Today, reverse tummy tucks often include advanced liposuction to remove extra fat while tightening the skin. By thinning the fat layer in the upper stomach and around the bra line, the surgeon can create a more sculpted and defined look that matches the lifted skin.
People who have lost a lot of weight, either through surgery or lifestyle changes, often need a reverse tummy tuck. Losing weight quickly can leave behind loose skin that doesn’t shrink to fit the new, smaller body shape.
For many people after major weight loss, loose skin is not just in the lower belly but all over the torso. The upper abdominal skin can hang down in deep folds over the belly button. In these cases, a regular tummy tuck may not be enough, and a reverse tummy tuck—sometimes done in stages with a lower tuck—is needed to remove the extra skin above.
While pregnancy primarily affects the lower abdomen and the muscle wall, it can also result in lasting changes to the upper abdomen. The upward pressure of the growing uterus during late pregnancy distends the entire abdominal skin envelope. For some women, the skin in the epigastric region never fully snaps back after childbirth.
After pregnancy, loose skin in the upper abdomen can get worse if the breasts swell and then shrink after breastfeeding, stretching the skin under the breasts. A reverse tummy tuck with a breast lift can help restore the upper body’s shape by tightening the skin below the breasts and above the belly button.
As we age, the skin’s collagen and elastin break down, making it less firm. Gravity then pulls on these weaker tissues, causing the skin and fat in the upper body to slowly sag.
This sagging can make the midsection look heavy or tired. Even people who keep a steady weight can get upper abdominal rolls as their skin quality declines with age. A reverse tummy tuck removes this loose skin and lifts the tissues to restore a firmer look.
Loose upper abdominal skin can cause more than just cosmetic problems. Deep skin folds, especially in warm or humid weather, can trap moisture and lead to infections. This condition, called intertrigo, causes ongoing redness, itching, skin breakdown, and painful rashes in the folds.
People who have lost a lot of weight are especially likely to get this problem in the upper stomach area. The skin folds can rub against clothes or bras, causing ongoing discomfort. Removing the extra skin with a reverse tummy tuck is often the only way to stop these rashes and improve skin health.
Upper abdominal rolls and loose skin can make it hard to wear some clothes comfortably or with confidence. The extra tissue can show as bulges under tight tops or high-waisted pants, making people feel self-conscious and limiting their clothing choices.
Skin rolls can also rub against bra bands or tight workout clothes, causing discomfort during daily activities or exercise. By smoothing the upper torso, a reverse tummy tuck helps clothes fit better and lets people choose outfits without worrying about hiding their midsection.
In many presentations of upper abdominal laxity suitable for a reverse procedure, the umbilicus is positioned relatively high, or there is significant skin redundancy located between the breasts and the navel. In these cases, the surgeon may elect to use a technique in which the umbilicus is not detached from its stalk.
As the upper skin is pulled upward and the excess removed, the belly button naturally “floats” upward a small distance. This is often aesthetically acceptable and avoids the need for a scar around the navel itself. This approach is prevalent when the laxity is moderate and primarily centered in the epigastric region.
For patients who have lost significant weight (often 100 pounds or more), a reverse tummy tuck is usually just one component of a comprehensive body-contouring plan. These patients typically require an “upper body lift,” which may involve extending the inframammary incisions around to the back to address bra-line back rolls.
In some severe cases of total torso laxity, a surgeon might stage procedures, performing a standard lower abdominoplasty first, followed months later by a reverse abdominoplasty to address the remaining upper tissue. This staged approach ensures safety and optimal results when enormous amounts of skin need to be removed.
Occasionally, a reverse tummy tuck is indicated as a revision procedure for a previous standard abdominoplasty. If a patient had a traditional tummy tuck but was left with residual laxity or a “muffin top” appearance in the upper abdomen, a reverse approach can address this untreated area.
This secondary procedure can refine the results of the initial surgery, smoothing the transition between the tightened lower abdomen and the breast area. It is crucial that the previous lower incision has fully healed and the blood supply to the abdominal skin is robust before attempting an upper lift.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The main signs are loose, crepey skin or horizontal rolls explicitly located above your belly button and below your breasts. If your lower abdomen is relatively flat but you have sagging skin in the upper torso that folds when you sit, you might be a candidate.
A standard reverse tummy tuck focuses on the front of the abdomen. However, the incisions can be extended around the sides to the back in a procedure often called a “bra-line back lift” to address those specific rolls. This is common among patients who have undergone massive weight loss.
It can be, especially if your post-pregnancy changes are mainly in the upper abdomen or if you are also planning a breast lift. However, if you have significant muscle separation below the navel, a standard tummy tuck might be better.
It only removes stretch marks that are located on the specific piece of skin that is surgically excised, which is the skin directly under the breasts. Stretch marks below this area will remain, though they may appear slightly tighter.
Generally, no. Reverse abdominoplasty is typically considered an aesthetic procedure. However, in rare cases where chronic, documented skin infections (intertrigo) occur in the folds that persist despite medical treatment, some portion might be covered. You must check your specific policy.
