7 months post op - can my tummy tuck scar be revised and what are my options?

Question

I had a tummy tuck about seven months ago, and my doctor told me that I would have to have a vertical scar because I didn’t have enough skin to remove. Instead, he tried to overcompensate, and now I have a rainbow scar that sits well above my panty line. When I asked him about it, he told me that there was nothing that he could do about it And I wanted to see if that was true

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

An in person evaluation is best, but based on the photo provided it doesn't appear there is adequate skin laxity to significantly change the position of the scar.  You may want to focus on helping the scar heal so that it is better camouflaged with surrounding skin.  Laser treatments or microneedling may help.  There are also many scar treatments available over the counter

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

659

Thank you for your question regarding whether your tummy tuck scar can be revised and your options 7 months after a tummy tuck. Thank you for your history and your pictures. I think your postoperative results look fantastic. You have a flat abdomen, a good belly button, and barely any excess skin and fat. I think your plastic surgeon did a remarkable job and you have excellent results. You must understand that not all the skin and fat from the belly button to the top of the pubic region can be removed. There are multiple ways to perform a standard tummy tuck and I’m sure these were explained to you before surgery. Preoperatively, your options could’ve been a lower scar with a vertical scar where your belly button was. The other option was to do what your plastic surgeon did and make the scar slightly higher to avoid any vertical scar remnant from where your belly button was moved. The horizontal scar cannot be moved. This is firm and set in place. You may consider some liposuction, but overall, your results are excellent. I do not think you need a vertical scar because I do not think you have a lot of excess laxity in the central abdomen. Another option would be a lateral abdominoplasty or vertical torso-lastly. During this procedure, an incision is made from just underneath the bra to the top of the panty line. The incision is usually hidden when your arms are down by your side. This helps to flatten the abdomen and give you more of an hourglass shape. Some plastic surgeons call this a hourglassing procedure. I think these lateral scars would be far superior to a central vertical abdominal scar. However, in regard to your horizontal tummy tuck scar, I believe you’re looking at the best you can achieve. In terms of scar treatment, you may want to consider Fraxel, steroid injections, five FU, topical silicone, and silicone patches. I would do these now because, after 2 years, the scar is fully mature and not able to change significantly. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding whether your tummy tuck scar can be revised and what your options are. I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear LaciNelson,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. 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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Just based on the one photo, your skin appears to be fairly tight and you don't appear to have any excess that could be removed to lower the scar.  Micro-needling could help soften the scar.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

An individuals who only have moderate amount of skin, Laxcity getting a very low sets car can be challenging. It either requires adding an additional | from the hole, where the belly button used to be or placing the central part of the incision a little higher like your surgeon did.
Once the design has been created, it’s pretty difficult to change the outcome.
The time to be critical of plastic surgeons as well, you are choosing a provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

7 months post op - can my tummy tuck scar be revised and what are my options?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

Answer: Clearing the belly button

Answer: Clearing the belly button

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

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7 months post op - can my tummy tuck scar be revised and what are my options?

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

Answer: Clearing the belly button

Answer: Clearing the belly button

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.