Why So Many People Need a Reverse Tummy Tuck (But Rarely Hear About It)

A reverse tummy tuck (reverse abdominoplasty) removes excess upper-abdominal skin by lifting it upward toward the natural breast crease.

Best suited for patients with:

• Loose or sagging skin above the belly button

• Bulging or creasing in the upper abdomen

• Skin laxity after weight loss or pregnancy

• Residual looseness after a prior tummy tuck

Unlike a standard tummy tuck — which pulls skin downward — a reverse tummy tuck pulls skin upward, correcting the area most procedures overlook.

You may be an ideal candidate if:

• Your lower abdomen looks flat, but the upper belly sags

• Your stomach appears stretched or “inflated” despite weight loss

• A traditional tummy tuck didn’t fully address your anatomy

• You lost significant weight and the skin never tightened

• You want a smoother, firmer upper-abdominal contour

What won’t fix upper-belly skin laxity:

• Diet or exercise

• Sit-ups or core workouts

• Skin-tightening creams

• GLP-1 medications

Once skin is significantly stretched, only surgery can remove it.

Step 1 — Consultation & Evaluation

Your surgeon assesses whether you need:

• A reverse tummy tuck alone

• A traditional tummy tuck

• Or a combined upper + lower approach

Step 2 — Surgery

• Loose upper-abdominal skin is lifted upward

• Excess skin is removed

• Tissue is tightened toward the breast crease

• Muscle repair may be added if needed

• Liposuction can be included for contouring

• The incision is hidden in the natural breast fold

Step 3 — Recovery

Most patients return to:

• Light activity: 7–10 days

• Normal routine: 2–3 weeks

• Full activity: 4–6 weeks

Swelling gradually subsides, revealing a smoother, tighter upper abdomen.

Some patients benefit most from combining both procedures — creating the most sculpted abdomen from top to bottom.

This approach is common after:

• Multiple pregnancies

• Major weight loss

• GLP-1 medication use

• Significant loose skin above and below the belly button

If both areas are affected, a combined procedure often delivers the most balanced, complete result.

• Lifts and tightens the upper abdomen

• Removes sagging folds and creasing

• Improves upper-abdominal definition

• Enhances waistline and contour transitions

• Completes results when the lower belly is already flat

• Restores a youthful, smooth silhouette

This procedure directly targets a problem area many patients struggle with — but few treatments address.

The cost of a reverse tummy tuck varies based on:

• Whether liposuction is included

• Whether it’s combined with a traditional tummy tuck

• Severity of skin laxity

• Surgical time and complexity

Flexible financing options are available through Cherry and CareCredit.

• Board-certified surgeons specializing in full abdominal contouring

• Expertise in post-pregnancy and post-weight-loss procedures

• Over 35 years of combined surgical experience

• Bilingual care serving Queens’ diverse community

• Convenient location near Queens Center Mall with easy parking

Leva Medical focuses on natural-looking, proportionate, and refined results.