Left with a puffy scar after c-section and skin bunches. Mommy makeover? Mini tummy tuck? (photos)

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

The "bunching" of your c-section scar is very common due to the closure technique of closing the skin but not closing scarpas fascia. You can fix this with a simple scar revision or if you wanted to address other concerns you could proceed with a tummy tuck. You could also have a breast augmentation at the same time as the abdomen procedure. I would recommend an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hi Moon princessxo,
Tethered or bunched C-section scars are really common. Many OBs will close the abdominal wall, and then close the skin...but they don't close Scarpas fascia, the strength layer in between the two. If the layer isn't closed, the deeper soft tissues can retract and the subcutaneous tissue (right under the skin) can tether down toward the abdominal wall. This produces a tethered or indented scar, and you may get overhang of the area when you stand or sit.
A scar revision can fix the issue. A tummy tuck may improve your overall abdominal contour, and incidentally would fix the c-section scar--but you can have a way smaller surgery than the tummy tuck if your indented c-section scar is your only concern
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci, MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, WA

Hello Moon princessxo from Texas!
Thank you for your question! You are a great candidate for a breast augmentation and a C-section scar revision vs. abdominoplasty. However, An in person exam would be important to determine the best course of action.

Your breasts are asymmetrical in volume, shape and position. I would begin with your breasts using a mini lift. Using a circumareola incision, your breast tissue is reshaped, elevated higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. At the same time, fat transfers or small implants can be placed totally submuscular. In terms of your abdomen, the scar can be revised. However, the scar is quite high and you may be better off with a mini tummy tuck to position the scar lower on the abdominal wall.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Nothing replaces an in-person examination but it appears that you would do well with an augmentation and either an abdominal scar revision or mini-tummy tuck depending on your goals and what your entire abdomen looks like. Seek out in-person consultations to get the best advice.

Dear Moon princessxo,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The scar in your lower abdomen can be fixed with a scar release or re-excision of the scar, which can be performed under local anesthesia. A small amount of liposuction may be needed to address the puffiness above the scar. Kybella, non-invasive procedure is another option to melt some of the fat that will give you a better contour. With regards to your breasts, you need a small lift on the right to match the left breast with an augmentation with implants. Best to see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and how to achieve optimal results.

Hello and thank you for your questions and your pictures. It is quite common for women to complain about some bunching of the skin around their c-section scar. Although a full examination and consultation would provide much more information, based on your photos, it seems you would benefit from a mini tummy tuck to remove the bunching and get you a flatter and smoother contour to your lower belly. As for your breasts, you seem to be a candidate for breast implant augmentation. I recommend you seek a consultation with a board eligible or board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in mommy makeover surgery and can examine you and give you a treatment plan that is tailored to you. I wish you the best!

Thank you for your question. If there are no other issues with the lower abdomen other than the indented C Section scar and not a wide diastasis recti, I think you would be a good candidate for a mommy makeover. This would consist of the c-section scar revision and an augmentation mammoplasty with the breast implants placed into “dual plane” submuscular pockets of whatever size appeals to you. Best of luck!