Why are some tummy tuck scars crooked? (photos)

Hi and thanks for your question. Tummy tuck scars may vary in design. The design is usually achieved at through a combination of patient desires and surgeon suggestions based on goals. In 29 years of performing tummy tucks, I have never run across a patient that has said that "had they known their scar would be like this, they would have kept their hanging tummy". There are many factors that play into how that scar heals....surgeon's expertise, sutures employed, possible infection, possible necrosis, smoker vs non-smoker and the skin quality of the patient. No one can promise you that the healing will be uneventful or that there are no risks involved. However, I urge you to look at many, many pre and post-op photos so you can judge the quality of that particular surgeon's work. A few pictures do not tell the entire story. Ask to speak with his/her patients so that you can actually exchange ideas and be able to personally view their results.Tummy tuck design is vital to not having dog ears and obtaining a great result. Personally, I carefully draw my design prior to surgery and vary little, if any once surgery begins. This is not an operation to do "free-hand" which often leads to asymmetrical and less than optimal results.I encourage you to seek out a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and with years of experience in tummy tucks. Research, research and the research some more. I wish you the very best in your quest. Good luck

    I think it is very possible to achieve a low symmetric scar.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA........

It's hard to predict the exact position of scars after a tummy tuck because of healing.  However, very few if any of my patients complain about crooked scars after their tummy tuck.

In general:-Tummy tuck scars shift slightly upwards or downwards, depending on the skin tension at the time of incision closure.  If there is more tension in the center of the tummy tuck, it will pull the central part upwards, for example, making the commonly seen "W" pattern.  Personally, I feel that's a planning error. -"Dog ears" occur if you have a lot of laxity at the sides, but don't have an incision long enough to remove them.  Surgeons should remove these, as much as possible, when present.-Skin necrosis is usually an uncommon issue, but more likely if you are a smoker or recent ex-smoker, or have other circulatory issues.Many of these issues are solved by good surgical planning, careful assessment and surgical marking, and being technically accurate in the skin resection.  Review lots of before and after photos, and find a surgeon who has a high percentage of results that you like.  Most surgeons operate in a consistent manner, so this will help you find one with a tummy tuck technique that is likely to give you a result you like.You look like a good candidate for a tummy tuck - good luck in your search.All the best,

You are a beautiful candidate for a nice low incision Tummy tuck in order to remove the saggy skin on your upper and lower abdomen. Stretch marks below the navel will be gone and the very nice incision will be covered with a sexy bikini. Dog ears should not be part of a perfect result. I would also recommend a tight muscle repair to create a flat abdomen but mainly a tap red small waist. Probably a lower back liposuction would also help to complete your beautiful result. Be encouraged. Just make a thorough research. You will be loving your curvaceous results. Dr. Cardenas

The
healing process following a tummy tuck takes a very long time, and that
includes time for the scars to fade. Yes, they’re long, but most plastic
surgeons place the incision low enough that your favorite swimsuit bottom
should cover it. Also, as others here have said, finding patients to come back
in a year after surgery can be a challenge, so many of the before-and-after
photos you see are taken before optimum scar appearance has been reached. At
the same time, if you’re not impressed with the photos you’re seeing—keep
looking! There are many excellent plastic surgeons out there, so look
specifically for those who specialize in tummy tucks and keep on looking until
you find photos you love and a surgeon you feel great about.

You are being cautious about surgery and that is good. Abdominoplasty is real surgery with real consequences. There are many factors that go into how a scar will heal. It takes up to a year for the final result to be seen, and there are some tissue factors that influence the outcome that are out of your surgeon's hands. You did well to look at photos from past patients. I suggest strongly considering the surgeon with the most outcomes that you liked. Dog ears are not a big issue or problem - more of an annoyance that can be handled easily. Necrosis is a much bigger problem, but thankfully much rarer. If you have a good surgeon, are a non-smoker, and follow post-op instructions, your chances of necrosis are very small. Your photos show that you likely are a good candidate for surgery.Good luck with your decision.

You seem to be a great candidate for a TT. You have a low belly button, laxity which should do well with the surgery. All scars are different, all people heal differently. If someone has more laxity on one side or the other that may play a role. Scars also need a year at least to fade, and usually it is not easy to get a patient back 1-2 years later to take final photos. Usually the scar is within the bikini line and heals nicely. There are scar gels and laser treatments which can assist in the process as well.

I think that one problem is that people post short term results and scars immediately postop. It takes a full year for the scars to heal to their final result. You should be able to achieve fine line scarring. Let me add that stapling, rather than suturing the skin, will not produce as good a result. That extra time in the OR can really pay dividends in terms of achieving a quality scar. In terms of necrosis, smoking and other factors can predispose to this so it is important to be in good health.  Finally, the risk of dogear scarring can be reduced in the hands of an experienced surgeon but these require minor work in the office under local anesthesia to repair. When in doubt, dogears are better than wounds that were too tight and will open up postop.  Make sure that you see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation!

Depending on when the post op photos were taken the scars may not have matured and settled down yet.  Typically this takes a full year after surgery.  However many patients do not return for their 1 year pictures (most forget).  Dog ears and necrosis are always a risk and the surgeon must inform you of the risks prior to surgery or they are not doing their job.  Make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to have a full evaluation. Good luck