Raised skin/new stretch marks after tummy tuck. (Photos)

Question

I am 6 weeks post op from my tt. I developed a small seroma that seems to be healing nicely. However, I also noticed a raised area with new stretch marks on my middle lower tummy. Im wondering what this is! Its not liquid filled like the seroma was. Is it some kind of scar tissue? Or was it perhaps caused by adding extra compression with pads of gauze just to the side of it on the seroma site? My Dr thinks its a normal part of the healing but Im not too sure. Any ideas or suggestions?

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Make sure to touch base with your surgeon.  Stretch marks are typically improved after a tummy tuck.  It is very unusual to acquire new sketch marks as a result of a tummy tuck.

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your questions and photos.  Your photos appear to show that you got a really nice improvement.  Unfortunately, with the strain placed on the abdominal skin after a tummy tuck, stretch marks can worsen - most usually, once the swelling resolves, they fade an become less noticeable.  My best advice would be to just give it some more time - 3-4 months at least to see your final result.
Best wishes during your ongoing recovery!
Daniel Brown, MD, FACSBoard Certified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsMember American Society of  Plastic SurgeonsCastle Connolly Top DocReal Self Top 500

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Your photos show that you had stretch marks before your surgery, and while some were removed with your tummy tuck in the area of the skin that was excised, the remaining stretch marks are probably accentuated when you have swelling. It is extremely unlikely if not impossible for new stretch marks to suddenly develop AFTER a tummy tuck - there is nothing about the surgery that would encourage stretch marks. Most likely they are more noticeable as you have discoloration and swelling from the seroma management, and they are likely to fade back to their original complexion over time. The raised area may be swelling of the fat in response to more inflammation in the healing process, and sometimes there is just some asymmetry of the soft tissue present before surgery that is more noticeable afterwards since it has been stretched and repositioned. Follow up regularly with your surgeon to see how things evolve. If swelling remains concerning, a CT scan might be ordered by your surgeon.

Raised skin/new stretch marks after tummy tuck. (Photos)

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Raised skin/new stretch marks after tummy tuck. (Photos)

Answers (3)

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