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Tummy Tuck Scar Healing Years Later?

I had a tummy tuck 5 years ago. The surgeon did not place a tummy bandage over the surgery afterwards because " the nurse" forgot to order it? He made shift a dressing bandage . It had jagged edges from the tear. It embedded into the incision site. I had to to return 1week later. I had a hole as big as a quarter. It tooks 1 year to heal completely closed. Scar tissue was thick. I never complained. Just been dealing w/it. It is a lot less....still..hurts when I stretch/walk/bend. Will it ever go away? Scar tissue is still felt under the the umbilical area. Does the scar tissue ever breakdown on its own after a tummy tuck?

Asked 42 months ago by skincaredoctress in Killeen, texas

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Does scarring get better after a tummy tuck?

At 5 years (or 4 years since the wound healed), your scars are mature and stable. To answer your question, scars do change and soften and lighten a lot as they are in the process of maturing, which can be 1+ years. Things like massage, sun avoidance, silicone gels and tapes can all help encourage scar maturation during the initial healing phases. However, you are pretty far out from surgery and any future changes will likely be very minimal to none. I would recommend... more

Michelle Spring, MD

Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon

Scar tissue after 5 years may require a scar revision procedure if it is uncomfortable.

Dear skincaredoctress, Kileen, TX, From reading your question your current concern appears related to an area that healed from within, or referred to as 'Secondary Healing". That type of healing is usually how most plastic surgeons treat any wound/incision seperation that may occur after the abdominoplasty. Typically the type of scar that forms from this type of healing may be tighter, and firmer than the scar tissue that healed from the initial surgical closure of the wound. It... more

S.Pasquale Maggi, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon

It's a little unclear from your description about how...

It's a little unclear from your description about how your wound was cared for post-operatively, but it appears that you had some wound healing problems post-op (which occurs in about 5-10% of patients depending on factors like smoking, diabetes and the method used to close your wound). You appear concerned about some of the scar tissue and a bit of pain that resulted from your tummy tuck. At five years post-op, the scar you do have is likely 'mature' and will not soften or fade with time.... more

Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Scar band under umbilicus

It is difficult to comment without a photo and examination but if your scar formed adhesions then it could be excised and reclosed. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to inquire about the potential for such a procedure, which could potentially be performed under local anesthesia, to improve your appearance and eliminate the pain. Wounds that close secondarily can form difficult scarring but this can be addressed.

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Painful, tight scar 5 years after TT

Let me clarify, the loss of tissue had nothing to do with the dressing, so let it go. secondly, the symptoms of tightness, pain, itching are well managed by kenalog injection. if the cosmetic result is acceptable, do not have a scar revision. steroid injections are very effective in improving symptoms. good luck.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck

It has pass enough time, a scar revision can be done if you still have discomfort. It looks like you lost some skin and it heal for second intention and you have scar tissue. In an abdominoplasty that can occur

Alejandro J. Quiroz, M.D.

Mexico Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Great candidate for a scar revision

From your description, it sounds like you would be an excellent candidate for a scar revision of your tummy tuck scar. Schedule a visit with a plastic surgeon who can evaluate the quality of your scar. Your surgeon will be able to tell you how much of the scar and underlying tissue can be safely removed. They may also advise you if the scar may be moved into a position that is less noticeable or less irritable. Best- Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS Board Certified, American Board of Plastic... more

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Managing a Poor Tummy Tuck Scar

Your description is in keeping of what we do when a wound separates. If this happens, we pack the wound 1-2 times a day until the wound surfaces come together and heal. At 5 years, the scar is stable and will not get better. To improve on the wound, it would need to be re-operated on and a SCAR REVISION performed where the old, large scar is removed and skin edges moved in to give a narrower nicer scar. Dr. P. Aldea

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Scar revision after abdominoplasty

It sounds you have lost some skin in the lower abdomen that was left to heal by itself. Now you have a scar. You need a revision, and the extent of the revision depend on the laxity of the skin and abdomen in general. See a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON, he/she will be able to give you advice.

Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Abdominoplasty scar

AT this point in time, I would strongly consider scar revision surgery. Your result is stable and not likely to change without revision. I would advise you to leave the umbilical area alone and focus on the scar. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck scar at 5 years is final-improvement will require scar revision surgery

Scars take about 2 years to mature. Certainly by five years the scar you have is final. If it is unsightly and painful then a scar revision is an option. See the surgeon who performed your tummy tuck and discuss your desire for a revision.

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Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scar revision

After 5 years you have your final result. Any remaining firmness or scarring that is unsightly will require a surgical revision. Sometimes the fatty tissue under the skin can become firm and if it has not gone away, they speak with you surgeon or a board certified plastic surgeon to review your scar revision options. Some thickened scars can cause chronic pain. You have give it enough time. Now I would recommend seeking a consultation about your concerns.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck scarring

Afte 5 years, it is extremely unlikely that things will get any better. After 5 years, you may have enough laxity to perform a scar revision to remove the old painful scar. The tissue that healed secondarily may be able to be removed and with a new closure if it heals without complications, it may provide you relief.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

After 5 years the scars aren't going to change much without surgery

After 5 years of healing, the scars are pretty well fixed in position and won't change much regardless of more time, massage etc. The only real way to address them is with a surgical scar revision. Please visit another surgeon and see if this is possible. It may be that enough laxity has developed over the 5 years that a revision could be feasible.