If you are considering having a tummy tuck, you may be wondering what to expect from the surgery or if you will have tummy tuck scars. A tummy tuck can remove excess skin and fat and tighten muscles after pregnancy, weight loss, or changes related to the natural process of aging and make a dramatic difference in the way your body looks.
Many people are worried about tummy tuck scars, and they want to know what their scars will look like, how long they will take to heal, and if there are ways to reduce the appearance of tummy tuck scars.
This article will explain everything you need to know about tummy tuck scars, give you tips for healing, and tell you about some of the latest treatments to minimize the appearance of visible scarring.
What Are Tummy Tuck Scars?
Tummy tuck scars are marks left on your skin after a surgical incision heals following your abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). These scars form along the areas where your surgeon made cuts to remove extra skin and fat and tighten your abdominal muscles.
The appearance of these scars can vary according to the type of tummy tuck you have and how well your body heals. A scar may be thin, slightly pink, raised, and lighter or darker than the skin around it. Scars will often gradually fade to be very light, but they typically do not disappear completely without some type of cosmetic procedure.
Types of Tummy Tuck Scars
There are different techniques surgeons use when performing a tummy tuck depending on the extent of loose skin and excess fat that are being removed. Each one of these techniques leaves a different tummy tuck scar pattern:
Full Tummy Tuck
This is the most often performed type of tummy tuck that leaves a scar that usually runs from hip bone to hip bone just above your pubic area. If the surgeon must remove a substantial amount of excess skin, the belly button is often detached during the process and then reformed, which may also leave a scar.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A scaled-down version of a full tummy tuck can be used for people with excess skin and fat that is located on their lower abdominal area under their belly button. The incision that is used during a mini tummy tuck is shorter than a full tummy tuck, so it leaves a smaller scar that is between 4” and 6” in length, similar to a C-section scar.
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
This tummy tuck technique is normally used when the individual has experienced major weight loss and has a lot of excess skin. The residual scarring after this type of tummy tuck is substantial and often cannot be well hidden in certain clothing. It normally leaves a horizontal scar from hip to hip as well as a vertical scar from their lower chest down to their pubic area.
Any time a cut is made in your skin, your body’s natural healing process is triggered, and it begins to repair the damage. The way your body works to heal the cut results in scarring, and unfortunately, there is no way to skip this part of the natural healing process.
What to Expect From Tummy Tuck Scars After Surgery
Your scars will not look the same immediately after your surgery as they will months afterward. During the first few weeks after your tummy tuck, your scars may look deep red, raised, or feel very firm. They may look a bit scary, but this is normal, and gradually, they should flatten out and become lighter in color and less noticeable. It can take around a year to 18 months for your tummy tuck scars to be fully healed so you can see their final appearance.
Surgeons may use surgical glue, surgical tape, or special bandages to protect your incisions and ensure they heal properly. Many of these types of dressings are designed to help securely hold the edges of the skin together to minimize the width of the resulting scar.
5 Tips to Help Your Tummy Tuck Scar Heal Better
The way you care for your incision while it is healing makes a huge difference in how well you heal and the final aesthetic look of your scar. Some of the things you can do to help minimize visible scarring and ensure proper healing include:
Follow All Your Post-Op Care Instructions
It is critical that you follow all of the directions given to you by your surgeon on how to clean your incision, how often to change the dressings, and when and how to wear your compression garments. These instructions are designed to reduce tension on your incisions, so they heal flatter and prevent infections that can make scarring worse.
Protect Them From Sunlight
You need to keep your incisions shielded from sun exposure because fresh scars are highly sensitive to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Exposing your incisions to sunlight can make them become permanently darker and more noticeable. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and cover your scars with clothing when you are outside. Avoiding exposure to the sun is easy and can make a big difference in how visible your scar becomes.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Once your surgeon has confirmed that your incisions are fully closed, you should begin using products that moisturize and are designed to reduce the visibility of scars.
Silicone gels and silicone sheets are what experts normally recommend because they help hydrate the skin, flatten scar tissue, and reduce redness. These products have been tested in medical studies and have proven to help scars heal flatter and softer.
After your surgeon gives you the okay, you can also begin using hydrating creams, ointments, or vitamin E products to help keep your skin soft and moisturized.
Scar Massage
Your surgeon may recommend starting a massage regimen for your tummy tuck scars a few weeks after your surgery and once the incisions are fully healed. Gentle scar massage is known to help break up scar tissue that is firm, enhance the blood flow, and make the scar more pliable. You can also use a light moisturizer or silicone gel during the massage to help keep it well hydrated.
Avoid Smoking and Manage Health Conditions
It is important to do all you can to help your body heal. This would include eating a healthy diet that is full of nutritious foods that provide protein and the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at its best. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and ensure you are managing any chronic health issues you may have, like type 2 diabetes, etc. Do not smoke because it slows down the healing process and reduces blood flow to your skin, which causes scars to be thicker and more visible.
Professional Treatments for Scar Improvement
Even with the most meticulous or careful attention to taking care of your incisions as directed, some scars may develop that remain noticeable after the customary year to 18-month time frame for complete healing has passed. Fortunately, today we have cosmetic procedures like tummy tuck, scar laser removal, and other non-surgical options that can lessen the appearance of residual scarring.
Laser Treatments
Laser therapy is one of the most commonly used cosmetic procedures for reducing the appearance of scars. They use focused light that is aimed at the treatment area, which triggers the body’s repair process to eliminate the layers of damaged skin and replace it with fresh, new, clear skin. These tummy tuck scar laser removal treatments improve your skin’s texture, reduce any redness, and smooth out scar tissue. Many patients notice a significant improvement in the appearance of scars after a series of sessions. Newvue offers laser skin resurfacing treatments in Bellevue and Kirkland, Washington, and the surrounding areas.
Microneedling and Radiofrequency
Microneedling treatments create tiny injuries in your skin that cause your body to start immediate repairs through the production of new collagen. Some cosmetic treatments combine microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. These treatments can improve the texture of your skin and help soften scars and reduce their visibility. Newvue offers SkinPen microneedling in Kirkland and Bellevue, Washington, and the nearby communities.
Steroid Injections
Sometimes scars that are thick, raised, or continue to stay very red can be flattened and softened using steroid injections. These injections are normally administered by plastic surgeons or dermatologists and work best when done while scars are still healing.
Scar Revision Surgery
Scars that are very wide or are not healing well may need to be treated with an additional surgery. Scar revision surgery eliminates the old scar and carefully closes the wound again to create a thinner, less noticeable scar. Normally, this procedure would not be recommended until a year or two after your tummy tuck, when complete healing from your tummy tuck has taken place. Plastic surgeons normally consider this procedure an option for advanced cases where other non-surgical treatments are unlikely to provide results.
What Not to Do to Minimize Tummy Tuck Scars
There are a few things that many people do that can make scarring worse:
- Do not pick at your scabs because this will slow down the healing process and can cause thicker, more noticeable scars.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects too soon because if you strain your abdominal muscles, it can put pressure on your incisions that still need time to heal and cause them to pull apart and widen the scar tissue.
- Do not forget to use your sunscreen and avoid exposing your healing incisions to the UV rays of the sun. This is one of the primary causes of scars becoming darker and more visible rather than fading to be lighter.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Most scars gradually improve with time and with proper care, but you should contact your surgeon if you notice signs of infection like pain, redness, swelling, or pus, or if you develop a fever. Scars that remain very thick, painful, or itchy may need to be evaluated to determine the best form of treatment.
You Need to Have Realistic Expectations
Scars are a normal and unavoidable part of any type of surgery, including a tummy tuck. Most scars will become much less noticeable after months or years, and most people find that their tummy tuck scars can be hidden with clothing like underwear or swimwear. Your scars may look prominent in the early weeks following your surgery, but they should become softer and lighter.
The final look of your scars will depend greatly on the type of tummy tuck you have and how well you take care of yourself during recovery to minimize the appearance of your scars. Most people who undergo a tummy tuck are very pleased with their results and their flatter, more toned looking abdomen and do not mind the necessary scar.
Where Can I Find Out More About a Tummy Tuck?
If you are considering a tummy tuck or you are looking to reduce the appearance of existing scars, the team at Newvue is here to support you every step of the way. Our board-certified team of plastic surgeons and the support team will take the time to understand your goals and concerns and are dedicated to delivering results.
Newvues group of experts is here to answer your questions and offer you the safest and most effective options to reach your goals. Schedule a consultation with Newvue today and let us help you achieve the look you desire.
