How invasive is it to remove dog ears left from a tummy tuck?

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question.
Without photos or an in-person evaluation, it is difficult to say. In cases with minimal dog ears, this revision can be done in office under local anesthesia; however, this is up to the discretion of your plastic surgeon. I recommend meeting with them to discuss your concerns and for evaluation.

This can be usually done under local anesthesia in the office and is only skin deep to remove the offending cutaneous deformity.

Dear Paured2,
dog ear removal is a minor procedure and it can be done 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

Dear ElPaso,
Great question. Your surgeon may not have fully rounded out the side removal of skin with the tummy tuck for you.
Little dog ears can be improved with only local anesthesia for skin removal, but some surgeons may prefer full general anesthesia to repair their work.
Best. DrBrecht
Seattle, Wa