After a tummy tuck, "dog ears" appear as small, triangular-shaped areas of excess skin that can sometimes form at the ends of the incision line. They get their name because their pointed appearance resembles the ears of a dog.
Understanding Dog Ears: Appearance and Location
When tummy tuck surgery is performed, excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is carefully sutured together to close the incision. Ideally, the incision line should be smooth and flat. However, in some cases, the skin and underlying tissue may not lie perfectly flat at the very edges of the incision, leading to these small protrusions.
- Appearance: They are typically triangular-shaped and slightly raised, creating a noticeable bump or fold of skin.
- Location: They are most commonly found at the far ends of the horizontal incision, where the main surgical cut tapers off. They can sometimes appear more pronounced on one side than the other.
Why Are They Called "Dog Ears"?
The term "dog ears" is a colloquial description used in plastic surgery because these small skin folds literally resemble the pointed ears of a dog. This visual similarity makes the term easily understandable to patients.
Causes and Commonality
Dog ears are not necessarily a sign of a poorly performed surgery, but rather a common and sometimes unavoidable outcome due to the body's unique healing process and the way skin is redraped.
- Skin Redraping Challenges: It can be challenging to achieve a perfectly smooth contour along the entire length of a long incision, especially where the skin removal stops.
- Individual Anatomy: A patient's individual body shape, skin elasticity, and the amount of fat and skin removed can influence their formation.
- Fluid Accumulation: Sometimes, minor swelling or fluid accumulation at the incision ends can temporarily exaggerate their appearance.
While some dog ears may improve naturally as swelling subsides and the skin settles over several months, others can persist.
Addressing Dog Ears: What Are the Solutions?
For persistent dog ears, several options are available, primarily involving minor revision procedures. It's important to discuss any concerns with a qualified plastic surgeon.
- Observation: Initially, a surgeon may advise waiting several months post-surgery to allow for full healing and swelling reduction, as some dog ears can resolve on their own.
- Minor Revision Surgery: This is the most common solution. It's a relatively quick procedure, often performed under local anesthesia, where the small amount of excess skin is precisely trimmed and the incision is re-sutured to create a smoother contour. This often involves extending the original incision a short distance to achieve a flat closure.
- Liposuction: In some cases, if there's a small amount of residual fat contributing to the bulge, targeted liposuction may be used to smooth the area.
For more detailed information on tummy tuck recovery and potential outcomes, you might consult resources on plastic surgery post-operative care, such as those provided by reputable medical institutions or professional plastic surgery associations. (Learn more about Tummy Tuck Recovery)
