Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is? (Photo)

Question

My TT ended up being flatter below the scar than above. You can see my 6-mo "official" post-op pic my PS took (solid dark behind). I was underweight then & I still had a dent at my scar. I have gained weight (too much, I'm 8.4# over goal), now it's REALLY noticeable. You can see it in form-fitting dresses. I wouldn't mind if I didn't have a board-flat belly & it had a bit of a curve to it. but it's not a curve, it stops abruptly. I don't want to pay for another surgery… if it can even be fixed.

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

...to stitch the Scarpa's fascia, which is the layer between the skin and the muscles, and is the layer of support of the subcutaneous fat.çEasy to solve: revision and suture correctly of all the layers.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

A small amount of liposuction will help, but scar excision and revision (perhaps plus liposuction) under local anesthesia will give an even better result.Touch-up or revisionary surgery should have been discussed at the time of your original surgery, since no surgeon should or would "guarantee" that touch-up surgery will never be necessary nor desirable. It certainly is in your case, and while no one "wants" to pay for another surgery, you have to decide if wanting a better result is worth having to pay a bit more to achieve that result.The bottom line is that your surgeon should not be expected to offer "free" touch-up surgery to ANY patient, or all we would be doing is "a little more here" or "a scar revision there" or " a little more lipo" etc. Any surgeon who has received his or her perfection badge in the mail can command top price, for they will never have a less-than-ideal outcome, an unhappy patient, or a scar that heals imperfectly. . . . . . but wait, sometimes the patient's genetics of healing, or too-tight binder, or ice bag, or heating pad, or superficial infection, or just rotten luck can cause difficulties that neither the surgeon nor the patient want or expected.That's why most surgeons have a policy in place for just these sorts of things--no one want to argue about whose "fault" this problem was, or if in fact there is any fault at all! Most surgeons will charge only a minimal operating room fee, and anesthesia charges if you want/need to go to sleep (local is no charge in my office), but no surgeon's fee. This shares the cost of re-operation between surgeon AND patient, which neither party wants, but which is necessary to achieve the improved result.Talk to your surgeon. If you do so in a thankful and appreciative tone rather than an angry and blaming one, you may find that your cost of re-do surgery is quite a bit less than you think. And well worth it! Being upset and acting as if it's your surgeon's "responsibility" to fix this area of adherent scarring will only bring on defensiveness and reluctance to even consider re-operation. Think carefully about this. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction will help smooth out the transitions.  You must discuss your concerns with the plastic surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures. Yes, improvement is possible; liposuction and/or additional skin excision may be necessary to flatten the contour. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon in front of a full-length mirror. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Gordon M. Telepun, MD · Answer

Judging form the one picture it seems like the area that is indented will need to be re-excised and re-closed in layers to have the transition from your abdomen to your pubic area be smooth.  When suturing an abdominoplasty it is important to close the layer of fat well to support the skin above it, so it will not indent.  But there are no guarantees.  I would discuss your concerns with your surgeon.Gordon Telepun, MD

Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is?

Answer: Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is?

Answer: Excision and Re-closure

Answer: Excision and Re-closure

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Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is?

Answer: Is there any way to fix this "dent" where my scar is?

Answer: Excision and Re-closure

Answer: Excision and Re-closure

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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