Is There Pain After Having Dog Ears Fixed? If So How is It Treated?

Question

I had a full tummy tuck in December of 2011. I have great results except I have a small dog ear on my left side. I'm having it removed tomorrow and was wondering if there is pain associated with this procedure and if so how is that treated. I have a very low pain threshold. Thanks

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Revision tummy tuck procedures are less painful than the original tummy tuck, primarily because the muscle does not have to be resewn with supportive sutures.  Dog ear excisions are relatively quick and easy in my practice.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

#TummyTuckRevision surgery Revision surgery is unusual but may be desired for several reasons. Most revisions should be done after 9-12 months.  One cause for revision surgery are “dog ears” at the ends of the incisions. These are small folds of excess skin that do not flatten over time.  They can be excised, suctioned or both.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not
unusual for patients to have small dog ears following abdominoplasty
surgery.When this situation arises they
can usually be treated under local anesthesia with simple excision.This procedure is well tolerated by most
patients.In the post-operative period pain is
usually managed with Tylenol. Ocassionally when larger dog ears are removed,
patients may require a narcotic pain reliever.The vast majority of patients who undergo dog ear removal consider the
pain associated with this procedure to be minimal.

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Good news - the repair of the little cone of extra skin and fat, the so-called "dog ear", is quite easy.  The area is usually numbed thoroughly with local anesthesia, and the area is excised and repaired neatly.

	Most people use extra-strength tylenol or a mild prescription pain pill (ask your doctor)...and have a straightforward, and fairly easy recovery.  Good luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Neither procedure nor your recovery should be very uncomfortable ( despite your low pain threshold).

	Best wishes.

Is There Pain After Having Dog Ears Fixed? If So How is It Treated?

Answers (9)

Answer: "Dog ear" repair

Answer: "Dog ear" repair

Answer: Excision of "Dog Ear" after Tummy Tuck?

Answer: Excision of "Dog Ear" after Tummy Tuck?

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Is There Pain After Having Dog Ears Fixed? If So How is It Treated?

Answers (9)

Answer: "Dog ear" repair

Answer: "Dog ear" repair

Answer: Excision of "Dog Ear" after Tummy Tuck?

Answer: Excision of "Dog Ear" after Tummy Tuck?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.