AboutAlan M. Engler, MD, FACS Expertise Dr. Engler has answered over 2200 plastic surgery questions for Allexperts. His expertise is in cosmetic plastic surgery including breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts etc.
Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction."
Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (SEARCH FOR "DR. ENGLER"). His website is www.bodysculpture.com.
Experience Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Organizations belong to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery); ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons); ACS (American College of Surgeons); Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York
Question It has been over 2 years since my full tummy tuck, and breast lift. I am very concerned that my Dr. Cut too much skin off, I have no stretch what so ever. I can hardly eat, it is so painful, it feels like my muscles are tearing, and ripping. My insides feel smooshed, and I am beginning to feel what might be tons of scar tissue? Not sure. I still cannot bend all the way backwards, and have a hard time getting out of bed, sleeping on my stomach.. I have lost alot of weight, and am in terrible pain.. I am scared to say anything.. My nutrionist, said I should se a internest. Also, I have an eating disorder, and know that I should of never rec'd this surgery.. I am 5'4, and at the time weighed only 114 lbs. I have no belly button, my stomach is so tight, that its just like a slit.. Its awful.. Any advice, or similar problems?? Thanks anything would help..
Answer Hi Collette,
There's more about tummy tucks at www.bodysculpture.com.
This is an unusual complaint after a tummy tuck; if anything, it's usually that things are not tight enough. So I would need to ask you if your body has changed since your TT?
If you've put on a significant amount of weight, then there will be more tissue (skin, fat, etc) than the "envelope" was intended to hold. That could explain why things are tight.
But I agree with your nutritionist. You need to be checked out by an internist. And since you say you've actually LOST weight, then it really doesn't make sense from a surgical standpoint.
The other thing to consider is a routine of stretching and physical therapy. That can help loosen things up very well, and may be helpful from a total health standpoint.
