Three years post tummy tuck, left with tight feeling. Is it possible to have my scar extended to correct this?

Question

I had a tummy tuck three years ago I am left with a tight scar feeling that it is going to rip every time I stand up straight causing me extreme lower back pain I have to force myself to stand up straight and cannot stay that way for long periods of time I am also left with hard balls in the abdominal area that I have tried to treat with a lymphatic drainage massages and had no relief. is there any way to do a revision and extend the scar so I can stand up straight and not feel so tight?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to begin by visiting with your plastic surgeon for an evaluation just to make sure everything looks like it healed properly.  Gentle stretching exercises that you can increase gradually may help with the tight feeling.  For current lower back pain you can use warm compresses and then have the area massaged with a tennis ball to ease the discomfort.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Compassionate149174,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

A lot of people feel things are excessively tight after a tummy tuck. Early after surgery before scar tissue sets in patients should do stretching exercises to limit the mobility and stiffness.
The longer someone waits to get full range of motion the more difficult it becomes.
I don’t think redoing your operation is going to make things feel better. Without pictures we can’t really make an assessment. One thing to consider is individuals who have excess visceral fat may have an excessive feeling of tightness because of increased intra-abdominal pressure.Without more information we can’t really make an assessment
You could consider a referral for physical therapy.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Three years post tummy tuck, left with tight feeling. Is it possible to have my scar extended to correct this?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tightness after tummy tuck

Answer: Tightness after tummy tuck

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Three years post tummy tuck, left with tight feeling. Is it possible to have my scar extended to correct this?

Answers (4)

Answer: Tightness after tummy tuck

Answer: Tightness after tummy tuck

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.