Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Before And After
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, resulting in a flatter, firmer abdomen. It can also be used to tighten loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss. The incision is placed at the bikini line, which allows for easier healing with less visible scarring.
While results are often impressive, some patients may not be satisfied with their final appearance. In these cases, tummy tuck scar removal surgery may be an option to improve the contour of your belly button and overall appearance of your abdomen.
This procedure can be performed by the same surgeon who performed your tummy tuck or by another plastic surgeon with experience in this area. The scar will be removed completely or partially depending on its size and location on the abdomen.
After surgery, you’ll have a long recovery period that involves wearing compression garments for several weeks and possibly months following surgery. You’ll also need to follow instructions about how much activity you should engage in during this time period so that you don’t cause any further damage to yourself by working out too soon after surgery (which could tear open any incisions).
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Before And After
A tummy tuck scar forms in the areas where your skin heals after tummy tuck surgery. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from your belly. The scar is usually thin. It may be raised, recessed, slightly pink or lighter than the surrounding skin.
Are there different types of tummy tuck scars?
The size and location of tummy tuck scars vary depending on what type of tummy tuck you have. Your surgeon will likely use special glue, tape or bandages on your incision. These surgical dressings can reduce scarring by holding the skin of the incision together and keeping it moist.
The different types of tummy tuck scars may include:
- Full tummy tuck: The scar for a standard tummy tuck usually spans your abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone, just above your pubic area. You may also have a scar around your belly button.
- Mini tummy tuck: A mini tummy tuck is for people who have a small amount of excess fat and tissue beneath their belly button. The scar is shorter than a full tummy tuck scar. It’s about the length of a C-section scar (between 3 inches and 6 inches).
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: This scar spans your abdomen. A second vertical scar runs from your lower breastbone to your pubic bone. A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is usually for people with a large amount of excess skin due to major weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
Can you prevent a tummy tuck scar?
You can’t completely prevent a tummy tuck scar. But you can take steps to help the incision heal after surgery, which may reduce the appearance of the scar:
- Avoid corticosteroids: If you take corticosteroids, talk to your healthcare provider about stopping the medication before surgery. Some corticosteroids can slow wound healing.
- Manage chronic diseases: Some conditions, such as diabetes, can complicate wound healing. Talk to your healthcare provider before your tummy tuck about how to manage health conditions before, during and after the procedure.
- Stop smoking: Quitting smoking several months before your procedure can help your surgical wound heal.
- Take vitamin A: Your provider may recommend vitamin A supplements in the weeks and months leading up to surgery. Vitamin A can help speed wound healing. Please check with your surgeon prior to starting vitamin A as it may interfere with a medication you’re currently taking.
How to reduce tummy tuck scars.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
How can I minimize scarring as my tummy tuck incisions heal?
There’s a variety of ways that you can help your incision heal after a tummy tuck, which can reduce the appearance of scars. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully about caring for and cleaning your wound. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, sexual activity and stretching until your provider says it’s safe to do these activities (usually four to eight weeks after the procedure).
Your provider might recommend some topical treatments that you apply directly to the wound:
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Cocoa butter.
- Petroleum jelly.
- Scar cream.
- Silicone gel sheets.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin E.
About 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery, you may consider scar massage. Gently massaging the scar and the surrounding skin can increase blood flow to the area and help with the healing process. Massage can also break up some of the tougher scar tissue. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying scar massage.
It’s extremely important to stay out of the sun as your wound heals. Ultraviolet radiation can make your scar discolored or change its texture, making it thicker. For 12 to 18 months after your tummy tuck, wear sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 if you have to be in the sun.
Getting proper nutrition is also an important part of wound healing. Talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian about the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need. They may recommend taking a daily multivitamin or other supplements as you heal.
Can steroid injections treat a tummy tuck scar?
Steroid injections may help reduce the appearance of a thick, raised or red tummy tuck scar. Most providers reserve these injections for abnormal scarring, but providers may give steroid injections at the time of surgery or a few weeks following surgery to reduce inflammation. Others may wait a few weeks until a scar forms.
Can laser skin resurfacing treatments treat a tummy tuck scar?
Laser skin resurfacing may reduce the appearance of a tummy tuck scar. This is another treatment usually reserved for abnormal scaring. Lasers use light or heat to stimulate the growth of new skin cells. Laser treatments may also:
- Decrease the scar’s tightness, so you have more skin movement.
- Prevent the development of a raised scar.
- Reduce itchiness, pain and irritation around your scar.
Can scar revision surgery treat a tummy tuck scar?
Some tummy tuck scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars, may need surgical treatment. During scar revision, a surgeon cuts the scar out of your skin and then closes the wound with stitches. Most people need to wait 12 to 18 months after their tummy tuck for scar revision surgery. This is a time when the scar is about as good as it is going to get and the skin has had a chance to further relax and take tension off of the scar.
RISKS / BENEFITS
What are the risks of tummy tuck scar treatment?
Most treatments for a tummy tuck scar don’t carry significant risks. Laser skin resurfacing can cause swelling, blistering and skin redness. Surgical scar revision may cause infection, bleeding or additional scarring.
What are the benefits of tummy tuck scar treatment?
Tummy tuck scar treatment can:
- Improve skin elasticity around the scar.
- Reduce redness or scar discoloration.
- Smooth the texture of a scar.
RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK
What can I expect after tummy tuck scar treatment?
Small or fine tummy tuck scars may fade completely after about a year. However, most people will still have a visible scar.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice your incision is:
- Bleeding.
- Infected (pus or foul-smelling drainage coming from the wound).
- Swollen.
- Very painful.
What you can do after your tummy tuck
It’s extremely important that you follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon.
Some general guidelines include:
- Try to walk as soon as possible after your surgery. This reduces swelling and the risk of blood clots.
- Continue to refrain from smoking for at least six weeks.
- Follow a healthy diet. Include plenty of liquids, fresh fruit, vegetables.
- Refrain from lifting heavy items and avoid any strenuous activity for at least six weeks.
- Avoid any activity that stretches, bends, or causes you to put pressure on your abdomen.
- Avoid sexual activity for three weeks after your surgery.
Apply topical vitamin E
Some researchTrusted Source suggests that using vitamin E topically can improve the appearance of scars. It can also help to keep your scar moisturized.
Be sure to use 100 percent pure vitamin E oil. You should apply it to your scar at least once a day for the first couple of months. You can also use this as a chance to massage the scar tissue once it has healed.
If you experience any type of skin irritation or allergic reaction, discontinue use.
Don’t forget the sunscreen
It’s important to use sunscreen on your scar for at least a year after your surgery. If you can, it’s best to avoid sunning the area.
Scars are made of new skin and react differently to the sun than normal skin. Using sunscreen will prevent a scar from becoming darker than the surrounding skin.
If you can, use a formula that’s made specifically for scars. You should also use something that’s SPF 30 or higher.
A few popular options include:
- Mederma Scar Cream
- Professional Sunscreen for Scars
- Bioderma Photoderm LASER SPF50+ Cream
- ScarScreen SPF 30
Watch for signs of infection
It’s important to clean your incision daily. Not only will keeping your scar clean and healthy reduce its appearance, it will also reduce your risk of infection.
See your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- excessive bleeding along the incision line
- increased or severe swelling, bruising, or redness that isn’t getting better
- severe pain that isn’t relieved by medication
- yellowish or greenish drainage from the incision
- any discharge that has an unpleasant odor
- loss of feeling or motion
- oral temperature over 100.4°F (38°C)
- fever or chills
What you can do if you still experience scarring
Your scar will be mostly healed after about 12 weeks, but it can take up to a year for it to fully heal. You may want to wait until it has healed to decide if you want to undergo any surgical procedures that will minimize its appearance.
These methods won’t be able to completely remove the scar, but they can help to improve its size, color, and texture.
Steroid applications and injections
You may choose to use steroid applications or injections to get rid of raised, thick, or red scars. These treatments may be used at the time of surgery for scar prevention or four weeks after surgery for correction.
The cost will depend on the size and severity of the scar. It’s usually a few hundred dollars per treatment.
Laser treatment
Laser treatments are also available. Vascular lasers collapse the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the skin that cause redness. Laser surfacing is one of the best options to improve the texture and color of scars. This technology can resurface the skin. Scarred skin is replaced with healthy collagen which improves the overall texture and color.
Check with your doctor to see how long you should wait before beginning laser treatment. Laser treatments are expensive. If you go with this treatment, you’ll likely need two or more sessions over the course of a few months.
Surgical scar revision
Scar revision surgery is an option if you want your scar to be closer in tone and texture to your normal skin. Your doctor may use a combination of topical treatments, minimally invasive procedures, and surgical revision. You’ll still be able to see the scar, but it will be less noticeable.
As with laser treatment, you should check with your doctor to see how long you should wait after your tummy tuck to have scar revision surgery. They may advise you to wait at least a year so you can see how your scar has healed over time first.
Costs for this procedure vary.
Punch grafts
Punch grafting is a technique where a small hole is made in skin using a small tool. The scar is removed and replaced with new skin from another place on your body, usually from behind your ear. You will still have a scar, but it will be smoother and less noticeable.
The bottom line
It’s important to take into account that a tummy tuck will leave you with a permanent scar. Think about why you are having a tummy tuck and what results you want to get from it. If the intended results outweigh the disadvantages of having a scar, then it will probably be worth it.
You can also think about the possibilities for scar reduction. Take steps before and after surgery to facilitate a healthy healing process so that the scarring is as minimal as possible.