Scarring post tummy tuck - suggestions to help the scar? (photos)
October 12, 2021
Asked By:Newperson1994 in Roxborough, County Galway, Ireland
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
4 photos
Answers (8)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Concerning the residual fullness to the lower portion of the abdomen, It appears the muscle repair to that section may not be intact. This would be the most likely reason. A fluid collection is also possible but seems unlikely as your surgeon should have noticed and taken care of it previously.
Our meta-analysis (link below) revealed that a "drainless tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with progressive tension sutures" was more effective than the traditional "tummy tuck with drains" in reducing seroma (fluid buildup) and reoperation rates, with no significant difference in hematomas or...
This is difficult to answer without a physical exam one. A good maneuver you can try at home is gently tapping the area to see if there is a "water bed" effect or rippling of the skin versus the normal bounce of skin. The water bed effect would suggest a fluid collection below. It is also...
