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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews

worth it at 6 weeks, not after 9 months beware of keloid scars

UPDATED FROM Terri0107

My update is much different from my 6 week po...

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Terri0107September 7, 2012
$18,000
My update is much different from my 6 week po review.
It is now 9 months po and I regret the tummy tuck.
My belly button is a keloid scar and everyone that sees it cringes. I also have a fat pocket on my right side. The ps said that I need lipo, its a fat pocket. I didn't know that parts of a tummy tuck are not liposuctioned and you can get a fat pocket.
I cannot fit a q-tip into my belly button and it feels like it is still scarring and closing up. The purpose of my TT was to wear a bikini so I am very disappointed.
I wish that I knew that I was prone to scaring before the surgery and steps could have been taken to avoid the keloid belly button.

Terri0107's provider

James E. Chappell, MD

James E. Chappell, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 28 Reviews
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Terri0107

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Replies (2)

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FitDiva
September 8, 2012
Sorry to hear about this. I am 7 1/2 months PO and my tt scar is raised and ugly. I too wish I would have steered clear of TT and my BB is messed up too. Check out my pics and you'll see what I mean.
Dr Chappell
October 2, 2012
I would never post comments about a specific patient here or elsewhere, but in a generic and hypothetical scenario if someone had hypertrophic or keloid scarring (from a surgical procedure or injury) I would (and have many times) work with the patient to improve the scarring as best possible. As a plastic surgeon I have many "tools" at my disposal in order to improve hypertrophic and keloid scars. Every patient is warned about the risks of surgery in advance, including poor scarring, and I do not have the luxury/burden of picking who gets good/bad scars. Thankfully, the large majority of patients end up with perfectly acceptable scars. For those who do not, I am willing to work with them to remedy the situation. Thank you.
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eat2live
October 20, 2013
Just because one is warned it can happen, doesn't mean they want to just suck it up because it looks bad...come on!
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chiklet3
November 18, 2014
Is it possible to revise a keloid scar? Is there a cost to that (if she is your pt) and do you do that under local/ in-office? Just curious. I do agree that no one can foresee how a pt will scar. It is best to ask if the pt has had previous surgeries and take a look at what scar formed (that's what my PS did). I had a bunionectomy in 2003 and it has healed nicely. But yes, always proceed with surgeries with caution... it's always 1 part science and 1 part miracle.
Territummytuck2014
November 18, 2014
I had no knowledge that I was prone to keloid scars. I was asked if I was prone to scars prior to surgery and my answer was not to my knowledge. Dr. Chappell did great work. I fully understand there can be complications, just want a PS to acknowledge the complication in a timely manner. I paid $6,900 for the corrective surgery.
Dr Chappell
May 23, 2022
I would never tell a patient to "suck it up" and am not sure how anything I wrote or said could be interpreted that way. These comment and reply sections should remain respectful and accurate
Dr Chappell
May 23, 2022
Great comment. We have treatments available to us and I would use any means necessary to help a patient in this type of situation.
ORIGINAL POST

I am 48 years old soon to be 49 (2 mos. away). I...

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Terri0107February 20, 2012

I am 48 years old soon to be 49 (2 mos. away). I had a breast lift with implants, extended tummy tuck, with lipo to hips and flanks. The whole package! I am very pleased with the results and glad that I went for it. I am still wearing a compression garmet during the day to reduce swelling but it is very minimal. I eat a regular diet and have not really reduced salt intake as some others on this site so that is probably why I still have some swelling. I just had my 6 week po appt. and the doc says that I am doing great.

Replies (2)

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Angie_M
February 21, 2012

Yay for success! Thanks for posting your experience here on RealSelf. I think most ladies have swelling at 6 weeks (and beyond) whether or not they eat salt.

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Kate R Hebert
April 9, 2012

Glad to hear you are doing well Terri!  The whole package is a great way to go! :)

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