Lumps at the end of tummy tuck incision - advice? (photos)

Question

Hi all, I had a tummy tuck while ago and while everything was great you know now a few months down the line I have these lumps or skin folds where the incision starts/ends, however you want to look at it and I was wondering what is causing this and what can I do about it. I haven't gained any weight in fact I have been working out and watching my diet and have lost a few pounds. Also my belly button looks hideous Will it ever look normal? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Hi.  You didn’t develop lumps after your tummy tuck. The extra skin areas that you have on the sides are called dog years. They occur when there is still extra skin beyond The area of the tummy tuck where skin was removed. It is easy to fix by taking out more skin. It would lengthen your scar to the side or possibly to the back, but it would give you a better contour. Talk to your surgeon about this and I’m sure he/she can help. Best of luck!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding lumps and bumps at the end of your tummy tuck incision. This is a very common question. However, what you are feeling and what you are seeing are two different things. I believe the lumps that you feel at the end of the incision are evidence of healing and scar tissue. It can take up to two years for the tummy tuck scar to completely heal. For these lumps of scar, I suggest deep tissue massage to help break up the scar. I would also encourage continued activity and exercise. However, what I see in the pictures at the ends of your tummy tuck incision are what we call "dog ears". Dog ears are excess skin and fat at the end of an incision. This is residual skin that may or may not retract. Some dog ears retract and disappear over time whereas some dog ears need surgical revision. My advice to you would be to wait until you're at least 10-12 months after your tummy tuck procedure and then reevaluate the dog ears. If the dog ears still bother you, they can probably be resected under local anesthesia. If it's more excessive, your tummy tuck incision may need to be carried out onto the hips and even continue to the top of the buttock crack. This would result in a posterior body lift to eliminate the dog ear. One of the reasons I perform many body lifts where the incision goes completely around the body is to avoid dog ears such as this after a tummy tuck. Thank you for your question regarding lumps and bumps at the end of your tummy tuck.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.
(“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. 
(“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

It appears that this "pucker" of skin on either side is a dog ear.  This can occur after a tummy tuck if not enough skin was excised.  Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon and ask what your options are for a revision to those areas and your belly button.  Ensure that you have given yourself adequate time for healing before considering a revision.  Swelling can take up to 6 months to a year to fully resolve.  Good luck!

Matthew C. Camp, MD · Answer

These are excess skin and fat. AKA “Dog ears”. Even the best surgeons sometimes encounter this phenomenon which is due to the original surgery, which is due to the geometry of taking out skin, and trying to taper the incision at the edges. The solution is a scar revision. This entails a brief trip to the procedure room, where this skin and fat is removed under local anesthesia. The scar will be longer, but the lumps will be removed. Bring this up to your surgeon - most plastic surgeons will fix this at minimal to no expense to you - our reputation hinges on how good you look! Best wishes

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. based on the pictures those are dog ears, you can get them fix with a dog ear correction. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Hagen Schumacher, PhD, FRCS(Plast), FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your enquiry. The prominent bits are called standing skin cones or dog-ears. They are very common after a tummy tuck. Fortunately, they can be trimmed under a short local anaesthetic. It will make the scar slightly longer.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  Those areas are residual loose skin that would need to be surgically removed.  It will involve a longer scar but the improvement can be had.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear charrismo,
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

Rodolfo Castillo, MD · Answer

Hello Charrismo, 
Protruding skin at the ends of an abdominoplasty incision are also commonly known as "Dog ears", these can be easily corrected by making a new incision, along the existing one in that specific area and extending it a little towards the back area to remove that bit of excess skin. Always better to wait for final results before undergoing a revision, best of luck.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Consult your surgeon to discuss the options for revision of the areas that bother you. It looks like you just need some of the skin excised. Not unusual for this type of surgery. Best wishes!

Lumps at the end of tummy tuck incision - advice? (photos)

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