Will Tummy Tuck Scar Lower As Skin Heals?

Question

Will my tummy tuck scar lower at all during healing? It is day 6. As I heal I wondered if when I am healing, my stomach will relax at all and the scar will be a little lower.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It depends. The placement in my opinion should be slightly lower (at the completion) than the desired final result. Usually, as the patient assumes a more upright position during the healing process this elevates the scar the abdominal skin stretches out. The main goal is to keep the incision within the panty area and if this is where it is then this will be fine.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Yes, your stomach will likely relax but it is not likely that this will cause your scar to be lower. The placement of the incision depends on several factors including the type of the incision, the nature of the procedure (mini versus full tummy tuck), need for mons pubis lift, surgical technique of fixation (quitling sutures), anatomy and pre-existing location of umbilicus, etc.

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.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

I agree with Dr. Rand. Tummy Tuck scars need to be carefully designed to be hidden in your preferred style of underwear because not only Tummy Tuck scars rarely go lower but they gradually MAY creep higher.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The scar will lighten and soften over time but will not likely go lower. If anything it may go a little higher as you stand straight up and the scar pulls up too. You are only day 6, give it all time and all should work out fine.

David A. Ross, MD (retired) · Answer

As always when it comes to medical and surgical issues it is impossible to predict what might happen but I would be very pessimistic that the level of your scarring would spontaneously become lower. Since is it very early in your recovery there is undoubtedly still some swelling. Once this swelling resolves there is a chance the incision will position itself lower but if so only slightly. If after about 3 to 6 months the scar has not positioned itself to your liking your surgeon may be able to accomplish this surgically.

Will Tummy Tuck Scar Lower As Skin Heals?

Answers (6)

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