Is There Any Hope for Removing a Badly Indented Scar?

Question

The scar is about 7 inches long and 1/3 of an inch above my bellybutton. It's about 11 years old, slightly raised, and similar to the color of my own skin, maybe slightly lighter. The scar isn't that bad, the real problem is that I've had it since I was quite young and it hasn't stretched with the rest of the skin on my abdomen. My stomach above the scar comes out about half an inch, and a full inch or more below. Could surgery fix this? I'm not overweight and I don't think toning up would help.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Belly button scars and abdominal scars do well with scar revision surgery and layered closure of the remaining tissue.

John P. Di Saia, MD · Answer

Hello,

	 

	We need to see and also preferably feel the scar to determine whether or nor scar revision might be helpful.

	 

	Best Regards,

	 

	John Di Saia MD

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I can visualize the contour deformity of the abdomen that the scar is creating. Often, the contour of the abdomen can be improved by excising the scar and rearranging the tissues around the scar ( sometimes liposuction is helpful).

	In person consultation with well experienced plastic surgeons will be helpful.

	Best wishes.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

A photograph would have been very helpful. In general, an ugly scar can never be erased BUT we often can operate on it and revise it often producing a much less conspicuous and pleasing scar. You need to consult a good Plastic surgeon.

Is There Any Hope for Removing a Badly Indented Scar?

Answers (4)