My belly button is still dark over 4 months post-op. Not happy, what can I do? (Photos)

Question

Not happy with my belly button. I’m just over 4 months post opt and my belly button is still dark. I also have a sunkin area on my hips. That is where my drains were placed on each hip so it looks sunk on both hips. My doctor knows my concern and I will express it more with him next week. He is open to revisions. It just sucks to have to have that done. There is also a spot on my incision on the left where he sutured it and when I stand up it looks like I have a dent in my incision about 3 inches. I already told my doctor.

R. Clark Mooty, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your story and photos. Abdominoplasties create a notable incision along the lower abdomen and umbilical region. Most closures are done under tension to try to maximize the removal of loose skin. In return, it is not uncommon to have scar tissue form along the incision. I personally have each patient follow a scar management regimen. For up to three weeks, I treat the incision with steri-strips. Once complete, the patient then uses a silicone based scar cream and massages the incision for 3 months. If there is persistent redness/discoloration and/or an elevated incision, I then treat the area with potential IPL laser, mild chemical peels, or skin lightening topicals. Your incisions can heal and improve for up to a year. Discuss options to address this with your surgeon at the next follow-up. The concern with the indentations may need a surgical excision and reclosure. These do occur with abdominoplasties and other cosmetic surgeries. Stay positive and I wish you the best.

Dr. Mooty

Dr. Mooty

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

I can understand your concerns, but this is not uncommon after tummy tuck. 1. Dark scars (belly button)You can use silicone scar creams and lightening creams. Laser to address pigment, redness, and scar texture would be the next option in my opinion. We offer patients Cutera Genesis or Cynosure Icon starting at 3 months, so discuss laser options with your surgeon at your next appointment. If you revise, you may end up with the same type of healing, so I’d save that as a last option and wait at least a year to give your scars a chance to fully mature before you decide. 2. Indents from drains/scar depressionThis is more likely to require surgical revision, and this might be easy to do in the office. If your surgeon is willing to perform revision, I would listen to all advice regarding timing or revision and post op scar management. Realize that it is sometimes impossible to get a perfectly even contour over the entire incision. Best wishes.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph and congratulations on your tummy tuck!  From your pictures it does not appear as if your belly button darkening is as a result of a hypertrophic or keloid scar, but rather post-surgery hyperpigmentation.  I would discuss treatment options with your surgeon but would recommend application of retinol and lightening creams to the area while having the patience of allowing the tissue to mature over another 8+ months.  A decision on whether a revision is needed can better be determined at that time. Hope this helps.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. It looks like you actually have a really nice result, but I can appreciate your concern with several small issues. Without seeing what things looked like before surgery, it would be hard to comment on the result. I would discuss your concerns with your surgeon because there may or may not be things to do to improve the problem. That being said, I would consider waiting at least a year before you do any revision surgery. Scars can take up to a year to fully develop, soften, and fade, so it is in your best interest to wait and see if some of your problems resolve without treatment. Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Kiran Polavarapu, MD · Answer

Talk to your plastic surgeon about scar massage and silicone scar therapy as an initial treatment plan. There are also various lightening creams and lasers that can be used. Its difficult to recommend options without a physical exam, so know your options and ask questions!.

Joseph Franklin, MD · Answer

Dark discoloration of scars can occur after surgery.   The first line treatment is to use topical bleaching creams like hydroquinone to help with the discoloration.   Several dark spot correcting serums are on the market which use Kojic Acid and theses can be helpful, too.  Intense pulse light (IPL) or broad band light (BBL) can be used to improve the discoloration, too.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

You are a hypertrophic scar former that has hyperpigmentation to some of your scars, especially the bb one. I would recommend no surgical revision but external scar laser therapies.

David Graham, MD · Answer

Overall, you have a nice result. Much of the belly button scar is within the belly button as opposed to in front of thte abdomen. Your surgeon also performed a small flap to hide the inferior border and give it a more natural shape. I agree that the scar is a little red, but the good news is that there is still time for it to improve. At this point I would recommend applying silicone scar gels and avoiding any sunlight to the region. The scar will fade up to a year. If you're still unhappy at this time you can ask your surgeon about other options.

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD (retired) · Answer

It would appear that you are a scar former and dark scarring may be very characteristic of this.  Ask your doctor about using chemical peeling or skin lightening agents.Good luck to you.  This may be of some benefit for you.Good luck to you.Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon

My belly button is still dark over 4 months post-op. Not happy, what can I do? (Photos)

Answers (9)