Why does the incision line area feel hard? I’m 10 months post-op (Photo)

It is not unusual for a single scar to heal at different rates in different areas. Allow up to a year or so for the scar to mature. Continue caring for it as advised by your surgeon.

Thank you for your question and for sharing your post-op experience. Based on your history and photos, it’s completely normal to still feel some hardness along the incision line at this stage. The firmness you’re feeling is due to scar tissue, which can take up to two years to fully mature and soften. Even after that time, some areas of the scar may remain firm.

The hardness in the incision line is part of the body’s natural healing process, as scar tissue forms in response to the surgery. To help soften this scar tissue, your plastic surgeon may offer treatments such as steroid injections or 5-FU injections to reduce scar firmness. Another option is microneedling, which can help improve the texture of the scar over time.

As for the lack of sensation in the midline area, this is also a common side effect of tummy tucks. Many patients experience numbness in the region between the pubic area and belly button, which occurs because nerves are cut during the procedure. While some of the sensation may return, it's likely that there will always be an area of permanent numbness, as is typically discussed before surgery.

If you’re concerned about the hardness of your scar or the numbness, it’s a good idea to reach out to your plastic surgeon for further evaluation and potential treatment options.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Having firmness along your incision is normal. It is also normal for parts of the incision to feel less firm than others. This should improve slowly over time as healing continues. Massaging the area with Vitamin E oil or using other scar therapies may help.