Scar Too High on Hips After Tummy Tuck

Question

I am only three weeks out from a tummy tuck but have already been told I will need a scar revision to get the results I want. My incision line is low in front but comes up higher than my belly button on the sides. I would like it under a bathing suit which would been it would need to come down several inches. Also, my PS told be that he thinks the scar on my BB will move inside once more swelling goes down, but if not I would like to fix that as well. Is a revision as invasive as the TT?

Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Hopefully Lilly,

	 

	I am sorry that you had to go through this awful experience.

	 

	A physical examination is crucial to determine the laxity of your skin so a revision could be planned.

	
	Nonetheless, you have to wait for several months to completely heal so a revision could be performed by a board certified surgeon of ample experience.

	 

	As for your belly button, it will depress with time. Your scars that will improve but they will not drop to your bikini line.

	
	Please keep in mind that you are only at three weeks post-surgery and final results are not established yet.

	 

	Best of luck to you and thank you for sharing your photographs.
	Dr. Sajjadian

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

In answer to your direct question, "will the tummy tuck revision be as invasive as the tummy tuck", the answer is "no". It is just a skin manipulation and does not go as deep as the tummy tuck. The scars on your hips will never go below your bikini no matter what scar revisions are done, and without secondary surgeries, I doubt that your belly button will pull inside. I agree with the other responders. Give yourself six months to see full wound healing, and then consult with your plastic surgeon about what improvements can or cannot be accomplished.

J. Brian Boyd, MD · Answer

This could have been avoided by designing the incisions around your favorite bikini bottom.

	Revision is possible by taking more skin out below the high-cut lateral extensions of your scar so as to move it down. This is not as extensive as the original tummy tuck but will likely lengthen the scar further..

	I would wait on the BB scar: it will probably settle. In fact, I would wait on both so that if surgery is necessary for it too, it may be performed at the same sitting.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. It is not common for surgeons to anchor the lower incision to the fascia or covering of the abdominal muscles to keep the scar low, however, I do use this technique and agree with it. All the tension on the incision is from above, not below, and thus the scar tends to move toward the area of maximal tension (towards the ribs/bellybutton). This moves the scar higher than desired. I like to keep my scars very low, and feel that anchoring the scar helps accomplish this. The following photo is an example of this.

Jason J. Hall, MD, FACS · Answer

Sorry you are unhappy with your results.

	A high scar around the hips can be challenging to fix.  It may drop with time, but probably not to the extent you would like.  Before saying anything else, I caution you to wait at least 6 months from the time of your initial surgery before considering doing anything else. 

	Options include:

	1.  Removing some of the skin below the scar to try and "move" it down, which I would combine with some liposuction of your sides to aid in moving the scar.  This will lengthen the scar some, however.

	2.  Laser treatment of the scars to make them less visible if they haven't faded considerably after 6-9 months.

	 

	Hope this helps,

	Dr. Hall

Scar Too High on Hips After Tummy Tuck

Answers (5)