Serious dog ears after tummy tuck 3 years ago - how should this be corrected? (Photos)

If you did not have your sides treated with liposuction at the time of the tummy tuck, then liposuction of the hips and waist will take care of this. It will also finish off your mid-section as a cosmetic unit. If the surgeon thinks there is a little loose skin at the ends of the scar, then a small ellipse of skin can be taken without a problem. Thank you.

Dear sarahjames16,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, dog ears can be treated with minor corrections under local anesthesia. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I would recommend completing the circumferential procedure. This essentially would make the tummy tuck into a lower body lift. This would also be combined with liposuction of anterior abdominal wall/flanks for maximal contouring.

When a surgeon is about to start closing a tummy tuck, there is always a bit more skin on the upper part of the incision, then on the lower. If the surgeon is not careful and work, the difference into the lower incision, you can end up with a dog, or standing cone, as it is referred to. Based on your pictures, I would recommend a combination of liposuction with scar vision to improve the contour.

I imagine those dogears would bother you, so you should consider seeing your plastic surgeon about revision. In many cases like this, it would be performed with both liposuction and a significant skin excision requiring lengthening of your scars.

Hello; I definitely recommend starting with liposuction under local anesthesia, targeting only that specific area. With the reduction of fat in that area, the problem may be completely or partially resolved. However, if it is not fully resolved, surgical skin excision can be performed under local anesthesia.

If the lateral bulging is due to fat alone, liposuction would be the solution. If there is extra skin, a skin excision would be necessary. Please consult a plastic surgeon to determine the best way to correct these areas.

It's unusual to see a fairly low incision, good abdominal contour, and a nice belly button and also see that the surgeon just sort of stopped at your sides. You'll need more liposuction of your hip area and more skin removed; essentially an extension of your tummy tuck incision. This will also give you the opportunity to lower the scars on the side that are frankly a little too high.

Thank you for your inquiry! Communicate your concerns with your physician. Scar revision is an option with Liposuction to decrease the fullness to your dog ears. Schedule a consult with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.