Is it possible to lower Tummy Tuck scar and fix belly button?

I had a Tummy Tuck 14 mos ago. The actual flatness of my stomach is good; however, much more important to me is how it appears.

The scar is way too high and literally hangs out of 99% of my clothes, including my suit. The scar also is an odd shape with my belly button looking far from natural.

I would like to see if there is any possible way to correct by lowering scar and make my belly button look somewhat natural but my skin is now very tight, I am not sure if this is even a possibilty. This impacts me everyday.

Is it possible to lower Tummy Tuck scar and fix belly button?

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8 answers to “Is it possible to lower Tummy Tuck...”

A: High Scar From Tummy Tuck

By Christopher L. Hess, MD - Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

First I'm sorry to see such a scar. There really is no reason to put the incision this high. As far as correcting it it's almost impossible. It's difficult to see the scar but it may be possible to redo it and decrease the appearance. This should be possible for belly button as well. ... more

A: Lowering a high tummy tuck scar (abdominoplasty)

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to lower your scar at this point. There are some options but these are not practical. This would involve a multiple procedures with an initial stage of placement of a tissue expander to stretch the skin immediately above the scar (similar to pregnancy)... more

A: Unhappy with abdominoplasty scar

By Sirish Maddali, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

It seems as though your scar is in fact quite high. Since you are only one year out from your procedure and describe that your abdomen skin is very tight, it would be quite impossible to lower your scar at this time. I agree that lasers can help improve the coloration and thickness of the scar. Once the... more

A: Revision tummy tuck

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Kendall, Your scars are indeed suboptimal in position and character. Revision tummy tuck is an option to improve the scars, but you would need to wait until the abdominal wall skin relaxes more before considering this. Also, your tattoo would need to be at least partially removed. The belly... more

A: Tough situation

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The tightness you feel means there is no extra skin that would allow you to revise the surgery and maybe move the scar down slightly. So the scar is locked in. The belly button looks odd because of the hole that was cut in the skin to bring it out. Maybe it could be revised a bit if... more

A: Not now

By Scott E. Kasden, MD - Dallas Plastic Surgeon

I see your concern. The scar is irregular, and in a less than optimal position. The umbilicus is similiarly, suboptimal in its outcome. I believe it will be fairly easy to improve the navel. The transverse scar is another story. You will need to wait until the skin is no longer tight... more

A: Bad news and good news

By Leslie H. Stevens, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately, your incision line is quite high on your abdomen. With the tautness of your skin, it would be impossible to lower your scar. However, your incision is still red and this can potentially be treated with a V Beam laser. If the redness was gone the scar may become inconspicuous. Regarding your... more

A: scar

By Edmond A. Zingaro, MD - San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Your scar does look rather high and your skin looks quite tight. That said, I think it would be rather difficult to surgically lower the scar.

Comments (1)

Kendall007
4 posts
18 Jun 2009

Thank you to all of you for responding to me! If you noticed I didn't even mention the fact that the actual scar is red and raised as I felt that is dependent upon how person heals and I really wanted to focus on position of scar and the umbilicus. As background, I have always been a size 0/2 with no weight issue ever but after having twins had a pouch and a hernia so decided to do a TT. So my follow up questions are (1) is it possible that my skin can still loosen after 14 mos to point where it would be more advantageous to wait and correct scar? if so, what is that timeframe approx.; (2) can I do the belly button separate or should I do it at same time? and last would the price to fix scar and belly button be the same as the TT? Again thank you to you all, this website and what you do is truly a great service.