Can my tummy tuck scars and belly button from a 2021 mommy makeover be realistically improved or revised? (Photos)

Question

I had a mommy makeover in 2021 that included a tummy tuck and breast surgery. My main concerns are my belly button appearance, the vertical abdominal scar, lower abdominal scar, and breast scars. My belly button looks tight, scarred, and unnatural to me, and the scars are darker, widened, and uneven in some areas. I have darker skin/African American skin, so I’m especially concerned about hyperpigmentation, keloid and laser safety. I’m interested in understanding what options may realistically help improve the appearance, including: * umbilicoplasty/belly button revision * scar revision surgery * RF microneedling * fractional CO2 laser or other safer laser options for skin of color * steroid injections * silicone therapy I’m trying to understand: 1. Whether my belly button can realistically be made to look more natural 2. Whether the scars could be significantly softened/lightened 3. Which treatments are safest and most effective for darker skin 4. Whether surgical revision or non-surgical treatment would likely give the best improvement I do not want to return to my original surgeon and would appreciate guidance on what type of specialist I should look for and what realistic expectations should be?

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

All three of your concerns have solutions. Let us begin with the simplest: your belly button is easily resolved by an umbilicoplasty using local anesthesia. This operation will release the restriction on your old belly button and reconstruct a deeper, hooded appearance. For most patients, the belly button returns to a normal appearance by around three to four months post-operation.

Your broadened and thickened hyperpigmented scars can be addressed by excision and closure with low tension before any device treatments. Revise the stretched wide scar and begin your treatment regimen on a clean and closed wound rather than on a hyperpigmented, stretched, poorly healed scar. Scar revision alone offers better, more rapid results (in a single OR visit) than a year of laser on the original, stretched, wide scar.

Once the scar revision has healed, a safe stack on your skin type consists of silicone gel sheeting along with paper tape to reduce tension, intralesional steroids such as Kenalog mixed with 5-FU if any thickness reappears, and fractional radiofrequency microneedling, such as the Morpheus8, to improve texture. Ablative CO2 treatment on your skin color carries substantial risk of PIH, thus I would strongly advise against it for these types of scars. Pico lasers (like PicoSure) could be employed for any residual hyperpigmentation after the revision and Morpheus8 treatments are complete. Seek out a skilled plastic surgeon adept at performing body revisions and comfortable working with darker skin tones. Anticipate roughly 12 to 18 months for the final outcome to become apparent.

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Yes, in many cases tummy tuck scars and belly button appearance can be improved even several years after surgery. By this point, your scars and tissues are fully matured, which makes it a reasonable time to evaluate revision options.

The first step is understanding exactly what is bothering you most:
— Scar position
— Scar thickness or widening
— Indentation or tethering
— Belly button shape or placement
— Asymmetry or contour irregularities

Different concerns require different approaches. Some patients benefit from scar revision alone, while others may need tissue adjustment, fat grafting, liposuction refinement, or umbilical revision to improve the overall appearance.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear aetenney88,

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

Can my tummy tuck scars and belly button from a 2021 mommy makeover be realistically improved or revised? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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