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Is the Vertical Scar from Old Belly Button Sutured to the Muscle?

asked 1 year ago by Mom2Four in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 330 times
Tags: excess skin, muscle repair, options, vertical scar

I had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair. Ended up with a vertical scar where old belly button was which I knew was a possibility. It feels like it is sutured to the muscle below and pulls in creating a "butt" effect with the extra skin that is still there. There's a pocket of fat/skin on my right that protrudes where the two incisions intersect. Is this something that can be revised? I asked my PS and his response was that it could end up worse :0/ Thanks for any input you may have!

4 answers to Is the Vertical Scar from Old Belly Button Sutured to the Muscle?

+2

This can be revised with low risk of worsening.

It's too bad your abdominal skin was so tight in surgery that your surgeon could not eliminate the vertical scar. The area of protrusion adjacent to this scar is partly swelling from lymphatics that have not yet recovered completely, but there is also a component of the perpendicular scars causing a degree of "purse-string effect" similar to what a curving or semicircular scar will do. This also can be revise quite easily with minor liposuction or even direct excision if more... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Adherent umbilical scar

There is less fat around the belly button so it can "sink" and scar down to the muscle underneath. It is not interntionally sewn to the muscle. A revision is simple and should not end up worse. The scra needs to be completely released from the muscle and as much of it excised as possible. The fat layers need to be brought back together which means your horizontal scar may need to be opened a ways in either direction, but the procedure is nothing like... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar Removal

I would recommend you obtain a second opinion, and they agree, then perhaps they are right. Thank you for your question and good luck with everything.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not Sutured, but scarred

The vertical incision you have is probably scarred (not sutured) to the underlying wall because there is not as much fat underneath the incision ( the belly button area is thinner) Less subcutaneous fat means that the scar can stick down. This, and the minor contour difference, can be easily revised. Good luck!
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

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