What causes crooked tummy tuck incisions/scars?

Tummy Tucks are usually designed to result in a nice smooth,even scar, but there definitely can be factors about the patient or the healingprocess that influences how things turn out. One issue is the anatomy of theabdomen to begin with. Not everyone starts out even or symmetric. Scoliosis orscars from previous surgery can greatly impact the abdominal contour and changehow the tissue responds to the ‘injury’ of surgery. Issues during the healingprocess can also alter results. Infection can tighten scar tissue and distort dehiscenceor popping of stiches can change how the final scar heals. You can even losethe blood supply to some of the tissue causing it to die which obviously wouldchange the final outcome. Some of these things are influenced by surgical technique,but more often it has to do with how the patient behaves during the healingprocess. If you are not careful with your dressings and drains, it is easy tocontaminate things and increase the likelihood of infection. If you do too muchactivity during the early healing process, you can pop stitches or causebleeding and excessive swelling. Smoking especially impairs the blood flow tothe tissue and can cause it to die (even second-hand smoke). The best way toavoid these problems and achieve a beautiful result is to follow theinstructions of your surgeons very carefully and ask questions if something isnot clear. That way you and your surgeon can work together to you the bestresult possible.

      The key is how the tension is managed at the end of the operation.  I spend about 30 minutes on the tummy tuck itself and another 1 hour making sure the incision is as perfect as possible.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

The final location of the incision is measured precisely by the surgeon.  The final location is generally very good but healing can be unpredictable and the location may not be symmetric .