I Have an Indention in my Tummy Tuck Scar Above my Pubic Area.

Question

I'm very pleased with the results, but this looks odd. My doctor says that he can fix it at my six month checkup if it's not improved. Do you have any experience with this, and are the results of correcting good? Is this fix usually included in what I've already paid...which was on the high side for my area per my research.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I agree with your surgeon that waiting for revision is a good idea - I usually ask my patients to allow the scar to fully mature and relax (1 year) before considering revisionary surgery.  As for the revision being included in the finances that you have paid depends on the office policy.

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

Indentations that occur just above the pubic bone following tummy tuck occur for two reasons:

	1) The skin around the old belly button gets pulled done toward the pubic bone. This area is usually lacking the same amount of fat that exists elsewhere under the abdominal skin.

	2) Too much fat is removed in the area that the "old belly button" skin gets relocated to, and/or this area is not reconstructed adequately. This will leave an indentation once everything heals.

	This can all be corrected with fat grafting. However, it is more challenging to repair than most people think.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Indentation in the area you described could be because of several factors, none of which will affect the quality of your tummy tuck.  If the indentation is small, it is certainly worth waiting for the wounds to heal because as you go throught the healing process your wounds will change somewhat and you may find that you don't need anything done in a few months.  If the indentation is very significant and it is obvious that as you heal this will not change, it may make sense to repair this earlier.  First your surgeon will have to determine what the problem is.  A tight suture?  Area that is missing some fat? Something else?  Based on the underlying problem he can fix it for you.  If you are overall happy with your results and your surgeon, be patient and trust your surgeon to take care of you.

	Sincerely,

	Martin Jugenburg, MD

Erez Sternberg, MD · Answer

You have asked a good question, and one that would be easier to answer if there were some photos of the troublesome area to look at. However, I can tell you that scar irregularities are usually easy to fix, but depending on the problem and your plastic surgeon he may want to wait 6-9 months for the scar to mature first before attempting a "fix." 

	  Usually, it is as easy as an office procedure performed under local anesthesia only (a shot of lidocaine) and perhaps some fat grafting if there is any depression in the scar.  Most surgeons would not charge any extra for this revision.  If the problem is more severe and requires a more extensive procedure to fix, then this may need the addition of general anesthesia which could come with some more cost.  Regardless of the extent of the revision needed, if there is truly a problem then most surgeons would not charge a surgeon's fee.

	  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

Paul Albear, MD · Answer

Without a photo it is hard to be specific but indentations do accur . If there is an irregularity post op and still there it is usually covered. But the surgery center and anesthesia is not. That is the way I d it but it may be different in your area. Time is your advocate for improvement. 6 months sounds good.  Good Luck.

I Have an Indention in my Tummy Tuck Scar Above my Pubic Area.

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I Have an Indention in my Tummy Tuck Scar Above my Pubic Area.

Answers (10)

Answer: Tummy Tuck Scar

Answer: Tummy Tuck Scar

Answer: Indentation and scar

Answer: Indentation and scar

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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