Can I lower my scars using tissue expander? (Photo)

Question

I got my tummy tuck surgery 3 weeks ago. Healing is fine. Tissue still tight. But I'm very unhappy how high my scar is. My surgeon said I need to wait if I want to do a revision with a lower scars and a small vertical scar. Can he use tissue expander to lower it if I don't have any extra skin. How long is the tissue expander stay in and does it required general anesthesia and often how much does that cost?

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your disappointment.  At this point in time it is best to allow things to heal and settle.  You are looking at about 6-12 months time before a revision should be performed.  You would want the swelling to have diminished and the skin be more pliable to try to pull down the scar.Tissue expanders are great and have tremendous utility.  However, in the abdominal area they do not work well.Good luck.

Alejandro J. Quiroz, MD · Answer

Be patient and give time before you take any
other  step in surgery.  The tissues need to soften and the process
takes about a year.  After a
re-evaluation for the need of  tissue expanders
needs to be consider.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your pictures.  I agree with the other experts that you should allow your abdominal skin and scar fully heal (up to 1 year).  I disagree with the other experts that you can not lower the scar with  tissue expanders. Your scar will still be high at a year.  The use of tissue expanders can gain excess skin to lower the position of the scar to the undergarment area.  It is a tough process for the patient but it is possible.  You and your surgeon should way the risk versus the benefit of this procedure.  Seek out board certified plastic surgeons with experience concerning this issue

Joubin Gabbay, MD · Answer

It is still very early after your operation. Your results will continue to evolve over the next several months. I would wait at least three or even six months before considering any type of revision. A tissue expander would not work well on the situation–all you may need is a simple stretch of the lower abdominal skin with an excision.It is imperative that you seek the advice of a plastic
surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has
extensive experience in tummy tuck/abdominoplasty.

I wish you the best.

Dr. Gabbay.

Charles Galanis, MD · Answer

You are still far too early in the recovery process to assess your final result.  I would advise waiting at least 6 months from the time of your surgery before making any judgments on your result and decisions on revision.  Although there are techniques to revise the scar and move it lower in the abdomen, I would not advise using a tissue expander.  Good luck for a smooth recovery!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs.  I would allow yourself time to fully heal from your tummy tuck before assessing your final results and evaluating the need for a revision surgery.  Hang in there as this may take up to a year after surgery.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

as its a slow and very unpredictable process when expanding without some stable foundation (bone) to place the expander over.  You appear very tight and the only reasonable way to lower your scar is to develop more laxity in your tummy tissues and this will take time.  And if you want a marked lowering, it could require a major revision/redo.My normal scar placement is 2 inches above the vagina... where is your scar?  And if you weren't given options on scar placement, you should let your surgeon know that this is important to patients and it should always be covered during consultations.

Kenneth Sumida, MD · Answer

I would agree to wait for at least 1 year.     At that time, a scar revision could be addressed.    A tissue expander could help  but I do not think you would get the full benefits due to location.    Good luck.

Stacey Folk, MD · Answer

Dear Katekynn,If you wanted your scar to be lower you should have tissue expanded pre-op by having been obese for some extended period of time and then lost 50 to 100 pounds so that you could have enough tissue redundancy in the upper abdomen to pull down for a lower scar. Another option could have been a couple of twin pregnancies, but even that might not have worked since it is the lower skin that seems to stretch out more. Your surgeon might have also kept your scar lower by including a vertical scar starting below your belly button and traveling down the center of the abdomen. Thankfully this was not done just to keep your horizontal scar lower.Instead, your surgeon did a beautiful job on your abdominoplasty, and your scar is exactly where YOUR ANATOMY determined it should be. It will likely be many many years before you have enough laxity to make any significant change in the location of your scar, so you should drop the notion that this is a realistic possibility in the short run. Yes tissue expansion would work, as would tacking on a few more pregnancies, but really? I would instead suggest you enjoy your fabulous new flat tummy, take great care of your scars, buy beautiful lingerie and swimsuits that conceal your scars (because that what all of the other patients do), and thank your surgeon for doing such a nice job. Sorry to sound so snarky, but patients don't understand the true limits of some of the procedures we perform.

Ciro Adamo, PhD, MD · Answer

You will need to wait at least six months before a revision can be considered.  That would probably need to be a simple skin excision rather than a staged procedure with skin expanders, since skin expander would not work well on the abdomen, without any hard surface under them.

Can I lower my scars using tissue expander? (Photo)

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