Tummy Tuck Reviews
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“Dog Ears and Pleats After Tummy Tuck”

Worth It
Spent: $10,000 in Virginia Beach, VA

Comments (4)

Updated 27 Jan 2010

Posted 23 Jan 2010

I had a full tummy tuck on Dec. 15. After weight loss, I wanted the lax skin to be excised, and the full tummy tuck hs given me a taut, flat stomach. Had muscles tightened too.

Now I have dog ears and several large, rock-hard pleats (6-7 inches long) on each hip. I've also developed significant puffiness above the incision on one hip, but he says it's not a seroma (had a drain for 8 days). After I remove my compression garment at night, I have been pressing on the pleats (which had started to lengthen into my back--very concerning); that's helped to soften the tissue but it has not made them diminish. My board-certified plastic surgeon seems mystified that they exist and said if they don't go away, "we'll have to figure out something."

Glad I did it, recovery not too bad (slept in a lazy boy--a must! and got off the meds within 5 days). Fantastic caring doc & medical staff, great facility, (though a bit miffed that they had no steristrips on hand the day they removed my tape due to blisters... I put on the strips myself a few days later & have an unevenly bumpy scar). My one concern (beside the pleats & dogears) is that my new belly button looks bizarrely like a mouth with flesh "teeth"; it got infected due to a suture and better now--but had that appearance before the infection. Don't know if it will resolve into a normal looking navel.

I know I'm only 5 weeks out and willing to be patient, but what can be done to fix them? Thanks.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Helpful review?

My Doctor: name not provided

Very caring & available; he called me at home the night after surgery to make sure I was doing okay.

Comments (4)

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meximelt 5 Feb 2010
Are you using any kinds of scar creams that can help break down the scar tissue a bit? My Dr. recommended a cream called Talsyn. It won't correct things but may reduce the appearance.
cindyann54 6 Feb 2010
Thanks! I had gotten one of those creams with allium (onion) in it--Mederma--but then read several reputable studies that they don't work. Have been putting on castor oil which, amazingly, DOES seem to help...
Ce3nie 23 Apr 2010
Could you tell me who your doctor was in VA Beach? I am also getting mine done in VA Beach and was wondering if we had the same doc... I am using Galumbeck..
cindyann54 29 Apr 2010
He's not mine (but mine's fixing the scars--great guy!). Good luck & let us know how it goes.

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