Tummy Tuck - Ripples in Incision

My tummy tuck was done on June 30th and it is now Aug. 3. I have ripples in my cut, but one goes way high. Will this go away in time? If not, is there a procedure that can be done to improve appearance?

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abdomen rippling

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by Carter73 in Florida

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Apoptosis may help diminish excess skin after plastic surgery

It is not uncommon to have the upper incision be longer than the lower incision. In order to avoid a vertical scar, the skin is gathered, resulting in pleating, In most instances this resolves through a process called apoptosis. Howver, on occasion it requires revision. Only time will tell.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Incisions take a full year to mature

I know it seems like a long time, but incisions do not fully mature for about a year. Sometimes a stretch mark crosses the incision area and stretch marks invariably look and heal differently. Eventually any and all ripples and irregularities tend to flatten. If you and your surgeon are still concerned after one year, then a revision may be indicated.

Ripples in fresh Tummy Tuck Wound

Because of the protection of the pelvis, pregnancies and obesity do not stretch the lower abdominal skin (where the lower incision is placed) as much as they do the upper abdomen and the belly button area (where the upper Tummy Tuck incision which removes the extra loose skin is placed). As a result, the upper incision is somewhat longer than the bottom in larger people and in matching these incisions the closure is keep shorter by taking slightly larger stitch bites on the upper than on... more