I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

Question

Dog ears after weight lost

James Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. An excess of skin tissue at the ending of a tummy tuck scar (or any other surgical scar) is what is called a dog ear of which can be treated with a minor office procedure. This excess of skin tissue is removed using a local anesthesia and a small incision. Generally any excess skin or looseness of skin is not improved with exercise and dieting. I hope this helps. James Lee, MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonMontreal, Quebec

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If the dog ears exist at the ends of prior incisions it is unlikely that diet or exercise will improve these much at all, as a dog ear is often caused by a combination of extra or loose skin and potentially some additional fat.  Dog ears require surgical excision which can often be done under a local anesthetic in your board certified plastic surgeons office with little to no downtime.  For the best advice I encourage you to follow up with your plastic surgeon for an evaluation.  I hope this helps!

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

Dog ears at the end of incision are usually from some extra skin or fat, so depending on the nature of it, you might or might not get better with weight loss.  Best to finish your weight loss, then if it's a problem have it evaluated.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Dog ears are often out pouching of skin and some fat. If it is noticed right after surgery, and it is small, it might go down as the swelling subsides. Otherwise, it likely needs to be excised.

Joseph Raniere Jr., MD · Answer

Your question is a bit ambiguous for it is not clear to me if you have had prior surgery.  Typically, the term "dog ears" refers to a combination of redundant skin and subcutaneous fat left behind at the ends of a surgically performed incision after it has healed. The characteristics of a dog ear change with weight loss as this may result in less subcutaneous fat and more skin laxity.  In general, exercise will not improve this for exercise will not tone loose skin, only muscle.  I hope this answers your question.

I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

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Answer: Dog ears

Answer: Dog ears

Answer: I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

Answer: I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

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I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

Answers (5)

Answer: Dog ears

Answer: Dog ears

Answer: I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

Answer: I lost some weight and have developed little dog ears. Can exercise help me lose them?

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