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Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D.
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Answered Questions
Q:
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I had a hernia repair and tummy tuck five weeks ago. I now have a bulge from below my belly button down to my scar. Is this normal during the healing process and will it eventually go down?
A:
There is usually some degree of swelling after abdominoplasty but this should resolve in 4 - 6 weeks. If this "bulge" is new, it might be the underlying abdominal wall which is now visible as the swelling subsides. It might be a fluid collection that may have to be drained by your surgeon. Rarely the sutures used to tighten the abdominal wall may become disrupted recreating the weakness present before surgery. I would suggest you visit with your surgeon to have an evaluation of this and receive an opinion on what it might be.
Q:
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I was born with a cleft lip and palate which were repaired shortly after I was born. I am now 18 and would like to have it redone as I have a remaining scar. If I have surgery now would it permanently remove the scar, resulting in the area looking normal?
A:
Thank you for your inquiry. There are no methods available today to completely remove a scar. There are sometimes methods that can be used to IMPROVE them; there will always be a scar, but it should be improved. Not everyone is a candidate for scar revision and the risks may not be worth the small benefit you might receive. With cleft lips, this might be more challenging and involve more then a simple scar revision. What I would recommend is that you be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in cleft lip repair. This way you will find out if you are a good candidate for a revision. Good luck!