Nine years post tummy tuck - how can I have the bulges on the sides removed? (Photos)

Question

I had a tummy tuck nine years ago. I have had since asymmetrical sides where the incisions end. It has always bothered me since it’s very visible when wearing fitted clothes. I have to wear garments to compress the area. I would really love to get that area fixed. Specially on one side.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

Bulges at the ends of a tummy tuck incision are often called dog-ears, especially when they sit where the scar ends. They can happen if there was extra side tissue that could not be fully removed through the original incision, or if one side healed with more fullness or scar tightness.
At nine years post-op, this is a mature result, so if the bulges have always been present, they are unlikely to improve without treatment. The good news is that this type of concern can often be improved with a relatively focused revision.
Treatment depends on what the bulge is made of. If it is mainly extra skin, the scar may need to be extended slightly to remove the dog-ear. If it is mostly fat, liposuction may help. In many cases, the best result comes from a combination of small scar revision and localized liposuction.
Asymmetry is common, so both sides may not need the same amount of correction. The more prominent side may need a larger revision, while the other side may only need a smaller adjustment.
My advice would be to see a plastic surgeon for an exam and ask whether this is skin excess, fat fullness, scar tethering, or a combination. It is usually fixable, but you should expect that correcting it may require extending or revising the scar slightly to get a smoother contour.

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

You have "dog-ears" on both sides of your tummy tuck which can easily be fixed in the office by excising them.  This is not uncommon and is generally fixed by the surgeon who performed your surgery.

I would go back to your original surgeon and discuss options.  This is a pretty easy fix.

I hope that helps and wish you the very best.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

This is both excess skin and fat. This can be easily treated with excision of both either with local anesthesia or light sedation.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

The options are either to cut out more skin and fat on one side or do liposuction. I favor cutting out the excess skin and fat on that side and possible both sides. It can be done under local anesthesia

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

This simple deformity called dog ears is something that is seen relatively frequently after abdominoplasty. Simple excision of skin prominences in local anesthesia is all what it takes to correct it. Good luck.

Nine years post tummy tuck - how can I have the bulges on the sides removed? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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