A relatively common occurrence patients may notice after tummy tuck surgery is the appearance of small conical folds of tissue near the ends of the incision. These minor deformities, known as “dog ears,” can be frustrating for patients who were looking forward to a completely smooth contour after surgery. Fortunately, dog ears are a cosmetic issue that can improve with time or be corrected with a minor revision procedure. This blog will walk you through why dog ears occur and how to prevent and correct them.
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Table of Contents
- What Are Dog Ears After a Tummy Tuck?
- Why Do Dog Ears Happen After a Tummy Tuck?
- The Tradeoff Between Dog Ears and Scar Length
- Are Dog Ears Permanent?
- How to Prevent Dog Ears After a Tummy Tuck
- How Are Dog Ears Corrected?
What Are Dog Ears After a Tummy Tuck?
Dog ears are small protrusions of excess skin and soft tissue that develop at the ends of a surgical incision after healing. They form when there is an imbalance between the amount of fat, overlying skin, and skin tension, and are often seen when skin has been removed. The name comes from the way the tissue can resemble the folded corner of a dog’s ear.
After a tummy tuck, they most commonly appear near the hips or outer edges of the abdominal scar.
Why Do Dog Ears Happen After a Tummy Tuck?
Dog ears are not necessarily the result of poorly executed surgery. Instead, developing dog ears is often a geometric consequence of removing large amounts of tissue and then bringing the remaining skin edges together.
To achieve a smoother contour, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat. The remaining tissue is carefully tightened and rejoined for a seamless finish. Of course, the human body is not one simple geometrical shape. As the incision approaches the hips and flanks, variations in tissue thickness and skin tension can cause excess skin or fatty tissue to gather at the ends.
When planning and executing the incision for an abdominoplasty, the surgeon must transition from the tighter, flatter central abdomen to the naturally fuller tissues along the sides of the body. That transition is not always perfectly smooth, especially for patients with thicker fatty tissue around the flanks, significant skin laxity, poor skin elasticity, prior weight loss, or a naturally curvier anatomy.
The Tradeoff Between Dog Ears and Scar Length
An important, yet seldom discussed, aspect of tummy tuck surgery is the relationship between scar length and contour smoothness.
To minimize the risk of and avoid dog ears, surgeons can extend the incision farther toward the hips and taper the closure more gradually. This helps distribute the tension more evenly and reduces tissue bunching near the ends of the scar.
Essentially, there is a tradeoff: longer scars often create smoother contours, while shorter scars may increase the likelihood of puckering or fullness at the incision edges.
Many patients, understandably, want the shortest scar possible. But in some cases, extending the incision slightly farther out allows the surgeon to create a smoother, more natural abdominal contour.
Are Dog Ears Permanent?
Not always.
In the early stages of recovery, especially in the first weeks after surgery, swelling can obscure or exaggerate unevenness near the incision, creating what looks like a dog ear. However, this may even out as swelling subsides and tissues are able to settle in the months following surgery.
Human skin is a living, highly dynamic tissue. Unlike fabric, it can relax, contract, and remodel during healing. Some dog ears can resolve naturally over time, particularly if they are less than 8mm in height—these are called false dog ears.
Because of the possibility of false dog ears, surgeons typically recommend waiting several months before deciding whether surgical revision surgery is necessary.
That said, large dog ears after tummy tuck surgery may not fully resolve on their own, particularly if excess or loose skin remains beyond the incision line.
How to Prevent Dog Ears After a Tummy Tuck
Dog ears cannot always be completely prevented, but careful planning can significantly reduce the risk. Prevention begins with proper incision design and strategic tension management. This is why one of the best things you can do as a patient is simply to choose a highly experienced surgeon who has performed many tummy tuck procedures during their career.
In some cases, combining liposuction with a tummy tuck can help “feather” the surrounding tissues and create a smoother body contour near the incision edges. Don’t be afraid to tell your surgeon during your consultation if dog ears are a concern for you.
Patients also have some influence here, in terms of how well they follow recovery instructions and support their bodies as they heal. Some critical ways to do this include:
- Maintaining a stable weight
- Avoiding nicotine products
- Wearing compression garments as directed
- Attending all follow-up appointments
Even so, the most advanced techniques and perfect healing period may still not prevent dog ears, as they often occur due to anatomical makeup.
How Are Dog Ears Corrected?
If you’ve waited a few months, most residual swelling has diminished, and the dog ears remain; they can usually be corrected with a relatively minor revision procedure.
Dog ear revision typically involves removing the excess tissue and extending or refining the scar to smooth out the contours. Depending on the extent of the correction, correcting dog ears can sometimes be performed in-office under local anesthesia.
Compared to the original tummy tuck, recovery after dog ear correction surgery is usually much shorter and easier to manage.
Learn More About the Tummy Tuck in Ontario, CA
If you’re considering tummy tuck surgery, choosing the right surgical team makes all the difference in your experience, safety, and quality of results. At Inland Breast and Body, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Troy Andreasen and our team prioritize meticulous surgical planning, patient education, and natural-looking results.
To schedule a consultation today, call our office at (909) 291-4900 or complete the online contact form.
