Could bad scar tissue cause issues for a tummy tuck?

Question

I would like to get a tt however, I'm concerned about the bad scar tissue I was told I had during my last c-section 14 yrs ago. will that be an issue?

Eric Swanson, MD · Answer

It is very common to operate on women who have had a previous C-section of course. The tummy tuck incision is made just below the old C-section scar, removing the scar with the extra skin that is cut off. So really, that old scar tissue is irrelevant to the experienced surgeon who stays in the correct tissue plane when performing the tummy tuck. The relevant question is whether you form bad scars or are a keloid former. If you developed a keloid scar from your previous surgery there is a good chance that it could happen again and then you need to decide whether the benefit justifies the risk. It is important to keep the incision low, so that the scar ends up below the bikini line with no little vertical scar in the midline. I talk more about this on my website and I have attached a link below.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Unfortunately without a series of photographs, or an in-person examination, it is difficult to offer advice on the likelihood of poor scarring.  If there was a reason for it that can be corrected with surgery then you should be able to replace it with a better looking scar from your tummy tuck.  Talk to a series of ASPS board certified plastic surgeons to discuss.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

I have never had scar tissue from a C-section interfere with a tummy tuck, and I have been doing  them for 45 years. So unless you are very unusual, you should be able to have  TT.If you do have a TT, I highly suggest you have a No-drain TT (also called drainless TT). The advantages are: less discomfort, lower risk of complications, much faster recovery time, and you are not encumbered with drains for 5-10 days, which patients despise. So I suggest that you have a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, and go for it.
Thank you for your question, and good luck.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Tummy tucks are commonly done on women who have had children, and correspondingly, many of these patients have had at least one C-section. The scar tissue that causes adherence in the area of the C-section is often:a) improved by dissecting through it to release the skin and fat flap off the muscle layer, andb) not actually "bad scar tissue" from the perspective of a plastic surgeon. Sometimes we cut out some of the thick, collagenous scar tissue during the operation; in other cases, it just needs to be dissected through and then when the redraping of tissue is done, the result is a smoother scar and plane of adherence between tissues. Most of the time, I make the tummy tuck incision just below the C-section scar in order to remove the old scar and underlying scar tissue with the tissue that is coming out with the tummy tuck. If you actually form bad scarring IN THE SKIN, you need to be assessed for your tendency to form keloids or hypertrophic scars, which could impact the visibility of your external scar once healed.

Steven Schuster, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have bad scarring from a c-section the scarring will probably be helped by a tummy tuck at least in my hands.  The procedure releases and excises the scars and closes the incisions in layers to minimize the indentations and adhesions from the c-sections.  Discuss this with your plastic surgeon when you go for a consultation.  Good luck, Dr. Schuster in Boca Raton

Fara Movagharnia, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  Bad scar tissue can occur as a result of a c-section.  The internal scar tissue or adhesions under your c-section scar can be released when you have a tummy tuck because that section of your skin and underlying tissue is removed.  Your old scar will be replaced with your new tummy tuck scar, and with proper care it should heal nicely.  I hope this helps and good luck!

Ricardo Ventura, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question, without pictures is hard to guide you. I recommend you to chose a board certified plastic surgeon who could evaluated you in person and meet your expectations; the surgeon you choose could correct C-section scars. All the best!!

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The good news is that we can often correct horrible C-section scars with a tummy tuck. Each individual should see a plastic surgeon for a consult to discuss their concerns and expectation and develop a plan to correct these issues.

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