Scarring post tummy tuck - suggestions to help the scar? (photos)

Question

How bad is this scarring (nearly 6 months post op)? I had a bad recovery due to getting a pulmonary embolism 1 week after tummy tuck, in hospital for 3 weeks and now on blood thinners for the next few months. I’m using E45 cream and silicone sheets but the scar is so ugly and I’m just praying it smoothes out and gets lighter. Scar revision not an option as I am petrified of surgery after what happened to me. Any suggestions to help this scar would be greatly appreciated

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question and the photos. 
Your scar appears to be widened in nature, which can sometimes happen after surgery. However, the final wound healing and the final scar appearance can take up to 1 year. 
For now, I would recommend to continue with silicone scar sheets and scar massage. Scar revision can be performed in the future to help address the issue. 
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Arturo Valdez, MD · Answer

Hello newperson1994
I am sorry to hear about your pulmonary embolism. That must have been very frightening.
From your photos, you really would need a revision tummy tuck as I can see there are already dog ears and some extra skin and fat. 
Other than that, there may be some slight improvement with IPL, Lasers and continue with the silicone sheets also, easier said than done but, patience, in time that scar will fade.
I am sorry you are experiencing this and hope things improve for you.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Newperson1994,I understand you are concerned with the appearance of your scars. As your scars heal, it should flatten out and lighten. Loss of pigmentation or hyperpigmentation may also be experienced but will resolve over time. Always follow your surgeon's post operative care instructions when it comes to scar management to avoid any complications like infection and for faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Scars take up to a year or more to mature.  During this time you should notice that the pigmentation will fade and the scar will flatten out.  Silicone strips are a good option.  You can also use lasers later on to lighten the area.  Scar revision is an option if these interventions are not satisfactory.

Som Kohanzadeh, MD · Answer

Hey Please check the supporting link below on how Hyperbarics can help you.If you are financially able or if your insurance covers Hyperbarics, please sign up immediately and go through atleast 10 treatments to heal. Hyperbarics will send 10x the amount of oxygen to the area that you have concern. Please look into it and if you are living close to Los Angeles, I recommend patients to visit Under Pressure Hyperbarics to get treatment after every surgery.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Skin scars continue to improve for 12 to 18 months. They typically looked at her worst at about three months.

I don’t recommend using silicone tape too early after surgery. The sky should be well healed before doing so in my opinion at least 6 to 8 weeks from the time of surgery.

It should not be used if there are any breakdowns in the epidermal surface.

I also recommend patients take intermittent pictures and compare to see if the silicone tape is helping or not. you can try using it on certain segments of the scars and not on others. silicone tape can also be used after scars have matured with great improvements if scars are hypertrophic.

There are two variables they can cause scars to be visible. One is hypertrophy the other is hyper pigmentation.

Silicone sheeting has a little impact on hyperpigmentation which normally just takes time.  typically mature scars will eventually hypo pigment and be lighter than the skin color.

Until the scar is 18 months old it is way too early to judge it.

It sounds like you’re doing the right thing. Scars mature over a long period of time. Be patient.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!From your photos, I note that you are quite fair skinned. Healing scars in fair skinned individuals are initially quite prominent, taking AT LEAST 12 months to achieve maturation, often longer ( up to several years). The healing process involves ingrowth of blood vessels into the healing scar to provide added blood supply. This results in the red color noted on the skin surface. During this time, it is important to practice sun protection with frequent and liberal application of sunscreen. As the scar matures, the color will fade significantly. Do not rush into revision. Wound healing is a complicated process and takes a long time. We recommend a moisturizer and the use of silicone gel sheeting if the scars are raised. Otherwise, "tincture of time" usually results in a satisfactory result. Continue followup with your plastic surgeon.

Scarring post tummy tuck - suggestions to help the scar? (photos)

Answers (8)

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