Please Help Me with What Do I Do About This 1 Inch Thick Tummy Tuck Scar? (photo)

Had a tummy tuck on 10/18/10 and a revision to the tummy tuck to lower the scar on 4/4/11. Wanted to wear a low rise bikini bottom as I told doc all along. Revision was done in office while awake. It's 1 inch thick, way longer (and has all kind of bumps). I had several infections because there were pubic hairs that were left inside and had to be re-opened 6 Xs and taken out (no shaving of pubic hair before surgery). This scar is just horrid. Doc has done 3 laser txs and 4 steroid shots. Help!

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by BadScarGirl in Irvine, CA

Doctor Answers (12)
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Tummy Tuck Scar - How to Minimize It

I am sorry that you have not healed well and had so many problems as well as the bad relationship you have had with your surgeon.t From your photos I believe you will need a future scar revision. As you have lost confidence in his/her ability then I suggest you get a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon. Here is some general advice about how to get the best post operative scar following a tummy tuck revision with your history of a red raised... more

Scar widening after tummy tuck

The scar will not get better with laser, creams or ointments. Truthfully, it needs a surgical revision. Overuse of steriod inhjections may cause thinning of skin making this look worse. The solution is to have a revised tummy tuck. Make sure you visit with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Proper scar revision requires tummy tuck elevation

Hello, Sorry to hear about your ordeal. In order to have an incision that is lower and thinner, the two sides of the incision need to be closed using the deep fascial (connective tissue) layer and the skin should be close under only milt-to-moderate tension. In order to achieve this the abdominal soft tissues should be fully elevated from the pubic symphysis up to the costal margins. This will allow the maximium amount of tissue laxity. Closure should be done with... more

Wide scar following tummy tuck

The scar you have now is not likely to improve much. However, you need to wait for at least a year or even longer before considering scar revision. This would give time to the scar to soften and allow easy approximation of tissue. Also, I find it better done under general anesthesia. The reason is I could do more undermining and less tension around the closure site.

Tummy tuck scar revision

Other than the scar, you appear to have a nice result after a tummy tuck. The repeat infections, combined with some steroid injections, probably contributed to the widening and darkening of your scar. Simple scar revision at this time would not be beneficial, as your skin is not loose enough for wound closure without tension. If you are not willing to wait 1-2 years for things to calm down, you could benefit from more involved procedure - re-advancement of your... more

Wide scar after tummy tuck

What a bummer because your belly looks great! You scar is nice and low and believe me, if I were you, I'd put on a bikini as long as it covered the scar. If you were my patient, I would ask you to wait a year for the skin to loosen up and then I would do a scar revision taking extra care to take as much tension off the closure as possible. I would use progressive tension sutures between the underside of your fat pad and the muscle layer. I think these sutures... more

Widened scar from tummy tuck.

Scars become widened and hypertrophic for many reasons, however tension and closure over time are two of the most common. A revision of a widened scar is always an option, but several important techniques need to be followed to achieve a successful result. Adequate undermining of the skin edges to allow for a tension free closure is a necessity. In addition, strong sutures within the deep fascial system (Scarpa's fascia) should be placed to relieve tension along the skin closure. If the... more

David Bogue, MD

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Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Tummy Tuck Scar Revision?

Thank you for the question and picture. I think you will benefit from further scar revisionary surgery. You may have to wait for enough laxity to be present ( several months to a year) to allow for successful tension free closure. Best wishes.

Widened Tummy tuck scar

You have a hyperpigmented hypertrophic scar. Fortunately, the scar is placed pretty low, so a bikini should cover it up. And overall your tummy contour looks pretty good. Since you've already undergone a revision and other treatments, I would give some time before any other interventions. continue massaging your scar during this time. let things settle down a bit more. I would likely recommend another scar revision in about 6 months. more

How to improve my scar (photo)

Your scar is low, well placed, and belly looks great! Although you've had some difficulty, because it has been a year since your most recent revision, tissue is likely soft, pliable, and can be re-advanced after another scar revision. Meticulous plastic surgical technique, including a tension free very durable closure is important. Additionally, I incorporate measures post surgically to prevent widening of the scar. Close follow up after the revision and... more

Wide tummy tuck scars

The tummy tuck scar may be as poor as it is because of the multiple infections. We don't see much trouble with pubic hair, though infetion and suture spitting can really mess things up. Steriods as well can cause the scar to thin and widen. I think the scar can be revised and improved. Perhaps get another opinion.

Please Help Me with What Do I Do About This 1 Inch Thick Tummy Tuck Scar?

The photo shows a stretched thin scar. This could be due to a too tight closure. It appears as if you do not have enough extra skin to revision. Sorry. If you could gain weight to stretch the abdomen than revision might help.