Healing Ridge after Tummy Tuck The healing ridge is the raised scar that develops on top of the incision line as a result of the healing process. It may be felt after 6-8 weeks, but will take up to 9 months to completely settle down. The length and width of the healing ridge depends on many factors including: skin elasticity, age, overall health at time of surgery, postoperative care and your body’s ability to heal itself.
During your consultation with, we will explain what you can expect during your recovery period and how to reduce any discomfort or swelling. We will also provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for yourself at home following surgery.
Healing Ridge After Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck incision heals in about three to four weeks. The incision will be covered by a dressing and bandage for the first week or two. You should not shower on your own for about five days after surgery.
Your recovery period will depend on a number of factors including your age, overall health, and the extent of your surgery.
Your doctor will likely recommend some postoperative exercises to speed up your recovery time. Afterward, you can expect to see gradual improvement over several months as you continue exercising and losing weight if needed.
How Long Does It Take for a Tummy Tuck Incision to Heal?
The healing process after a tummy tuck can take anywhere from four weeks to several months. The time it takes for your incision to heal depends on the size and location of your incision. Smaller, more superficial cuts take less time to heal than larger, deeper cuts. The length of the incision also contributes to how long it takes for your incision to heal. A longer cut may require more stitches and will take longer than a shorter one.
The other factors that influence healing time are age, general health and smoking history. Younger patients tend to heal faster than older ones because they have more robust immune systems and tissues that are less likely to scar. Smokers also tend to heal more slowly because nicotine has an immunosuppressive effect on the body’s ability to fight infection.
The incision is usually closed with dissolvable stitches, which are removed in the doctor’s office. The skin around the incision may appear bruised and swollen for a few days after surgery.
The surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Drains are usually placed beneath the skin to remove excess fluids and blood from around the area of surgery. These drains will be removed within a few days after surgery.
You’ll need someone to drive you home after your procedure and to help you with your daily activities while you recover. Your doctor will also prescribe pain medication to help manage discomfort following surgery.
Tummy Tuck Scar Healing Stages
Tummy tuck scars usually heal in about 6 months, but the healing process can be a little longer if your body has been through a lot of changes. Your scar may be red and raised for a while after surgery, but it will eventually become pink and flat over time.
Scarring is typically thought to be permanent; however, some people may see improvement in the appearance of their scar over time. This is because normal scar tissue tends to become less visible over time, as long as the following factors have been taken into account during the surgical procedure:
Tummy tuck scar healing stages
The tummy tuck surgery incisions will heal depending on how much time you take to follow your doctor’s advice. The length of the incision depends on the extent of the tummy tuck surgery. The recovery period is one month and after this, you can resume normal activities.
Recovery stage 1: During this stage, you will be able to walk around and move normally but your body will be swollen. You must wear compression bandages for two weeks so that swelling can be reduced by applying pressure on it. Incision sites will also be wrapped in gauze bandages but without any compression. You may experience some pain during this stage but it should not last longer than a few days after surgery. You need to take pain medication regularly for about ten days after surgery.
The tummy tuck incision is closed with sutures and will heal in 3-4 weeks. The scar will be red, swollen and painful for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. After this time, most patients are able to return to normal activities and exercise.
Once the redness has resolved, the scar may still be slightly raised and “angry” for several more months. This is normal as your body continues to remodel the new tissue at a cellular level, but it will continue to improve over time. The final appearance of your tummy tuck scar depends on how your body heals, but typically fades over 1-2 years after surgery.
Tummy Tuck Scars After 1 Year
The incision will heal over the next few weeks. The stitches dissolve and the scabs fall off. The redness will gradually fade to a lighter pink or brown color. After about 6 weeks, there should be no evidence of the scar at all.
Tummy Tuck Scar Treatment
If you are unhappy with your tummy tuck scar, there are many options available to improve it. These include:
Scar revision surgery – this is a second operation to revise or remove the scar in order to improve its appearance.
Filler injections – this involves injecting hyaluronic acid fillers into the scar tissue in order to plump it up and soften its appearance.
Laser correction – this involves using lasers to burn away excess fibrous tissue around the scar, reducing its prominence.
A tummy tuck scar should be completely healed in about 6 months. The swelling will take longer to go away, but the scar should look better after a year.
The incisions are made under the belly button and around it, as well as on the sides of the pubic hair line. The scars around your belly button will heal more quickly than the others because they are more superficial.
To avoid hypertrophic scarring and keloids, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully during recovery. Your doctor may prescribe topical silicone gel sheets or ointment to help keep your scars soft and flat. You’ll also need to wear supportive undergarments for several weeks after surgery.
If you have excessive swelling, please let us know so we can address that issue before it becomes a problem.