What steps are actually taken to lower a tummy tuck scar?

If the scar is too high, it can be lowered by removing skin below the scar and resuturing the wound.   I generally try to lift the skin above the scar off the abdomen so that is freely mobile and can be shifted downwards to the new scar position.  The belly button usually isn't repositioned with this, but it depends on how much skin would need to be removed.  An additional scar from the belly button hole would remain if the hole could not be removed with the extra skin. 

If a standard abdominoplasty has been performed with the scar riding too high, several technical, surgical maneuvers can be done to lower the scar.  1.  If there is sufficient excess skin, a total redo abdominoplasty can be done.2.  If it has been several years since the abdominoplasty was done, a secondary tummy tuck can be performed with an umbilical slide once the blood supply from the skin vascularizes the belly button (umbilicus).3.  Mobilizing the skin upward from the scar, and then using quilting sutures to advance the skin downward will yield a lower scar and have less chance of the scar spreading or the scar moving upward.Secondary abdominoplasties to lower a high rising scar are difficult in the best of surgical hands.  I recommend you ask these same questions of your surgeon, and postpone your surgery if you are not satisfied with the answers.

Thank you for your question.  If you have an appointment for your surgery in two days and you are asking these questions I have to wonder why the procedure was not thoroughly explained to you by your surgeon.  You have also posted another question about the reuse of previously infected implants on the same date.  I would highly recommend you postpone your surgery and discuss these issues with your surgeon. It sounds a little sketchy to me that your surgeon plans to reuse your old implants and hasn't even explained to you how he intends to lower your tummy tuck scar and what to expect in terms of your new scar. You certainly don't want to make a bad situation even worse.  If your surgeon is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with a lot of experience in revision abdominoplasty and breast surgery you should consider going to one who is.  Good luck.Dr E

Generally to lower the scar after and abdominoplasty significantly the skin of the abdominal wall needs to be mobilized surgically. This is done after swelling is subsided and relaxation of the skin has occurred.

Thank your for your question. But, an accurate answer really depends on your individual situation. It all depends if you has excess skin either above or below your scar line. This is where plastic surgery really becomes an art-form. I would discuss your options with your plastic surgeon. 

This is usually done by undermining the skin above the scar.  The higher you go, i.e. redoing the abdominoplasty, the more laxity and movement of the scar lower is likely.  This will depend on the amount of skin laxity you have prior to surgery as well.  Unless you have a fair amount of laxity already, the scar will not likely move much.  You may want to get another opinion if you are not sure about what to expect with your procedure tomorrow.  There should be no problem in delaying the procedure until you are comfortable with the information and expectations.

If the position of the scar after tummy tuck is too high, lowering the scar is not an easy procedure. This will require some laxity remaining in the abdominal skin.  If there is no skin laxity the scar will not move. When laxity is present then the entire scar needs to be reopened and the skin advanced down.  The skin needs to be lifted and advanced, similar to the original tummy tuck.