Can my tummy tuck be revised? (Photo)

Question

I had a tummy tuck 2021 which has left me with a hydrophobic scar and an unpleasant naval also even after a year my muscles still seem to be too tight causing an uncomfortable feeling with certain movements and stretches. Would I be able to have my tummy tuck revised??

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Your photos indicate that you have developed hypertrophic scars.  At this time you can consider scar revision followed by scar treatments that should help you heal more favorably.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Renee1993,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Revision surgery is sometimes indicated. Before recommending any surgical operation a surgeon and patient should have a clear understanding of what the ideology or primary underlying problem is.
For example if the problem is hypertrophic scar formation then redoing the operation is most likely not going to change their final outcome.
Simply re-cutting the skin and letting it heal for a second time will most likely end up healing exactly like it did the first time. sometimes scar revisions are indicated and sometimes they are not. Unless something is done differently or circumstances are different patients should expect the scar to heal exactly like it did the first time. There’s no point in going through surgery and the extensive time it takes for abdominal skin incisions to mature if the outcome is exactly the same. 
For patients who far severe hypertrophic scars intervention can be taken during the scar formation that can lesson the severity of scar tissue. this can include the use of silicone tape and an rare circumstances injecting anti-inflammatory steroids during the healing process.
Steroids should be avoided unless the hypertrophic scar formation is severe because injecting steroids can thin out the scar and leave it stretched and long. Very conservative doses of anti-inflammatory steroids can also minimize hypertrophic scar formation so it is a balancing act and there’s always some uncertainty when doing this.
The impact of using silicon tape varies from person to person. It’s very important to clearly differentiate the difference between hypertrophic scars and hyper pigmented scars.
The two processes are not at all related and it’s possible to have hyperpigmentation without hypertrophy and hypertrophy without hyperpigmentation or a combination of both.
Once muscle tightening has been performed and the patient has healed the sutures used for muscle tightening are no longer causing the effect but rather the scar tissue internally that is formed after surgery. Undoing muscle tightening is not a typical procedure and can lead to secondary undesirable complications like incisional or ventral hernias
it’s generally better to not try to reverse muscle tightening from an overdone tummy tuck. It’s probably better to do a thorough course of physical therapy including stretching exercises and learning to live with the permanent body changes.
Some people have unpleasant sensations after this procedure that continues for a few months up to a few years and rare but occasionally some patients will have chronic discomfort from having this operation.
Patients who are at all obese should keep their weight down to minimize the impact the intro domino or visceral fat can have on intra-abdominal pressure.
You didn’t include what month you had your surgery. Recovery from this procedure does take a long time and this includes the perception and appearance. Typically healing is done by about 18 months but some patients require longer to get used to the body changes.
Generally speaking unless there’s a clear indication to re-operate it’s better not to.
In your case I’m guessing most plastic surgeons would probably recommend not doing revision surgery. There may be some that believe they can help by redoing the procedure but recognize that redoing procedures can also make things worse and at a minimum you’ll have to go through surgical recovery.
The recovery from a full tummy tuck is considered intense and it is an invasive operation. This is primarily because of muscle tightening. If muscle tightening is not performed during revision surgery then recovery becomes much easier with significantly less pain. drains are typically still required.
The first step is to talk to your surgeon about your outcome and review your concerns with him or her.
If that does not lead to a satisfactory outcome then consider having proper second opinion consultations.
Second opinion consultations should be done as in person consultations and patients should come prepared with copies of their proper before and after pictures and a copy of the operative report.
Good luck with your decisions and final outcome. Be patient. Sometimes the recovery from this operation take much longer than people anticipated.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

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