Tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck to fix scar and overhang? (photo)

Question

Hi I’m 8 m postpartum from 1st pregnancy/c-section and have concerns about my stuck scar. I also have diastasis but I am hoping I can heal that with exercise over the next few of months. My scar however has not been responding to months of massage/cupping. The fold/lip/ overhang really bothers me. I don’t have much fat or excess skin. Assuming that I fix my DR with exercise, can the scar be fixed with a mini tummy tuck or some other less invasive approach? Or would it require a full tummy tuck?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear gonzam54,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you don't have much loose skin so mini tummy tuck might be a good choice. 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

Jairo Ulerio, MD · Answer

Yes, the scar can be corrected with an abdominoplasty and the abdominal muscles can also be corrected at the same time.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry!  A scar revision would be an option for your situation.  We would love to meet with you to discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

It looks like a mini tummy tuck will suffice, as long as you are not expecting any change in the upper abdomen. If you are not able to correct the muscle separation with exercise (most of the time this doesn't because there is no exercise that pulls the muscles toward each other), then consider a mini tummy tuck with umbilical float. That would allow for a full muscle repair.

Oliver Chang, MD · Answer

Based off your photos - (without a physical exam) - it does not seem like you have much of a diastasis recti either (great physique for being post-partum), but I do agree with you 100% - core exercises (pilates) until your core is strengthened again is very much needed post-partum. 
Looking at the scar and your lower abdomen - you can address this situation with some liposuction with scar revision, or do a mini TT in the future depending on how your lower abdomen has healed and how your core muscles have been strengthened. I think the key here is to make sure the scar heals without tension so you do not develop a hypertrophic scar (potential keloid) again. And remember if you have developed thickened scars / keloids once, chances of that happening again in the future is more likely than less.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A mini may be sufficient, but it would not improve the area above your belly button. Scar revision can be performed at the same time to improve the appearance of your existing scar. You may want to wait for about a year or so to see if the muscle separation improves, as exercise is often insufficient. If it doesn’t and the separation extends above your belly button, then a full tummy tuck would be recommended.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. Your overall lower abdominal shape is good because you’ve kept yourself in such excellent condition. The small amount of redundant skin in your lower abdomen as well as your prior C-section scar could be revised with a mini tummy tuck. This would help to tighten the skin, below your belly button. Without the benefit of a physical examination, it’s hard to know the extent of your diastasis.  Typically exercise does not improve a diastasis because it is a stretching of the fascia of your abdomen and fascia does not have any snap back. If the diastasis is only below your belly button, that could be repaired at the same time as a mini tummy tuck. If the diastasis is above your belly button, this would make it more difficult. Have a detailed consultation with your plastic surgeon.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello
Diastasis recti cannot be corrected with exercise or sports. There is no tissue in the affected area that can be developed through exercise. The issue can only be resolved if the abdominal muscles are surgically repaired.
The C-section scar in the lower abdomen has become hypertrophic. There are several treatment alternatives for this, including steroid injections, silicone sheet application, laser treatment, or excising and re-suturing the scar.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are not planning on having more children, then a mini tuck would probably do very well for you and the old scar can be excised along with the extra skin.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A  mini tummy tuck will address abdominal wall laxity below the belly button and remove excess skin on the lower abdomen.  It would address the bulge from the tummy tuck scar.  A full tummy tuck would address all of those areas but will also correct abdominal wall laxity above the belly button as well as excess skin.  I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to determine what is best for you based on your desired results.

Tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck to fix scar and overhang? (photo)

Answers (11)

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