Keloid tummy tuck scar

Keloids scar after a Tummy Tuck

There are many approaches to dealing with hypertrophic scars. After a tummy tuck, I have my patients tape the wound for six weeks.

This has been shown to improve the appearance of scars in some people. If there is some question of whether more attention is needed after this point, I have the patient’s apply silicone sheeting.

If this is not satisfactory after 3 to 6 months, either steroid injections into the scars or excision with radiation can be tried. (Ira H. Rex lll, MD, )

Keloid tummy tuck scar photo

There is no guarantee that any treatment will cure keloids permanently. This is because the underlying mechanism by which the keloids occurred is still there. There are a number of different ways that keloids can be treated to try and improve their appearance. They include scar massage, silicone sheeting, steroid injections, excision and radiation. (Sanjiv Kayastha, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)

Keloid Tummy Tuck Scar treatment

There are multiple options for the treatment of keloids. No one option is best. Each doctor has his own regimen. In my practice I start with massage, silicone sheeting, and then start using modalities like steroid injection.

Keloid tummy tuck operation scar

After this next option is excision and closure. If this reoccurs then the next option could be excision closure and several sessions of radiation. (Gaurav Bharti, MD, Johnson City Plastic Surgeon)

Keloid scar after abdominoplasty

The occurrence of a hypertrophic scar after abdominoplasty is related to an individual’s genetic scarring predisposition and tension on the incision.

Since you cannot change your own body’s ability to scar the only thing you can try to do is minimize tension on the scar. The area of greatest tension on an abdominoplasty is in the central part of the incision below the belly button. This is where the greatest amount of skin was resected therefore the greatest tension.

Keloid tummy tuck surgery scar

The early use of Embrace dressing which is a silicone sheeting which is adhesive but this dressing places reverse tension on the incision and keeps the scar from spreading.

This has been shown to reduce the chance for hypertrophic scarring. Since you have developed the scar already the next best treatment is pressure on the scar.

Gelzone is an elastic silicone dressing which can be wrapped around the incision with some pressure and this will help to flatten the scar.

Injections with steroids will also flatten the scar but cause it to widen as well. Topical scar creams really don’t do much. (Benjamin Chu, MD, FACS, Honolulu Plastic Surgeon)

Keloid tummy tuck scar

Your scar appears to be more of a hypertrophic scar rather than a true keloid scar. I certainly wouldn’t jump in with further surgery or radiotherapy (which I believe is a last resort). Further surgery could make it worse.I would use conservative treatment for many months before deciding on further options. I would advise massage & silicone gel/tapes for 6 months or so, and maybe some steroid injections. (Kim Taylor, FRACS, Melbourne Plastic Surgeon)

I advise my patients to use a strip of silicone sheeting for a few months before a scar revision. See link below for more details. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)