When you get a tummy tuck, your surgeon makes an incision around your navel and removes excess fat and skin. Laser scar removal is a procedure that can help you get rid of the remaining marks left behind by your tummy tuck.
What is laser scar removal?
Laser scar removal is a procedure that uses intense light to remove the scars caused by a tummy tuck. The laser energy breaks down the collagen in the skin, which causes the scar tissue to fade and eventually disappear over time.
How does it work?
The laser will be applied directly to the scar tissue on your abdomen, usually while you’re under local anesthesia (you’ll feel some warmth but no pain). The treatment will take about an hour per session and patients usually need three sessions every two weeks apart for optimal results.
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Laser Scar Removal Tummy Tuck Scars
Throughout a woman’s life, she will encounter times when she wants to seek cosmetic help. The end of childbearing is one of those times, and dealing with the physical effects of hormonal changes is another. One thing is for sure: If you trust aesthetic medicine to turn back the clock on your appearance, you want to enjoy the benefits of a job well done. Abdominoplasty is a body enhancement procedure more widely known as a tummy tuck. The goal of this surgery is to improve the structure of the abdominal wall and remove any excess skin or stubborn fat. A tummy tuck creates a tighter, smoother abdomen and a striking figure. But what about any scarring after surgery? Is it possible to improve that? Is laser scar removal tummy tuck the solution?
What is a Tummy Tuck?
First things first: What is a tummy tuck, and what are the reasons why you might get one?
The tummy tuck is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries in the country. Basically, it’s a way to eliminate all the stubborn fat and flab that’s situated around your belly, and particularly the extra skin that doesn’t seem to respond to diet and exercise.
During a tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon will remove excess fat and tissue, resulting in a more contoured and shapely appearance. Additionally, the surgeon will repair abdominal muscles that have become weakened or separated. (This is especially helpful for moms, whose abdominal walls are often significantly weakened during pregnancy.) The result is a much flatter, firmer, more aesthetically-pleasing tummy area.
Note that, in some cases, a tummy tuck is combined with liposuction to maximize results, though this is not always necessary. It really just depends on your body and on your aesthetic goals.
What Kind of Scarring Can You Expect from a Tummy Tuck?
There are obviously a lot of benefits to getting a tummy tuck, but there can also be some potential drawbacks. One of the most common concerns is the presence of scarring.
Unfortunately, scarring is inevitable in any type of surgery. That’s certainly true of the tummy tuck, which requires your surgeon to make surgical incisions at the treatment site. The amount of scarring that may occur depends on a few different factors, but ideally, here’s what you should anticipate:
- For the first month of your recovery, you will probably have a prominent scar, which may be red or brown in color, and can sometimes feel slightly raised or bumpy.
- Within the first two months, the incision site should be fully healed. However, you will probably still have some long, red or purple scars. They will heal more and more for a few months, but in the meantime, don’t be surprised if they are a bit puffy in their appearance.
- By the six-month mark, you should notice your scars losing their pigmentation, which means they will become increasingly faded. You may still be able to see some scarring, especially if you look closely, but these scars should be much less obvious.
As for the location of your tummy tuck scar, it will usually be located in your lower abdominal area, situated above your pubis but below the belly button. Most of the time, scars will run horizontally; depending on the type of tummy tuck you choose, you may also have a small vertical scar. Ask your plastic surgeon for additional information about the options available, and the scarring you can expect from each.
Other factors that can impact the visibility of your scarring include genetics, your skin type/melanin, and your own healing capabilities.
Many patients find that their tummy tuck scar is easy to hide underneath their swimsuit bottom or their underwear, though this can vary from patient to patient and some may seek laser scar removal tummy tuck.
Minimizing Your Tummy Tuck Scarring & Laser Scar Removal Tummy Tuck
With all of that said, what are some of the factors that determine the extent of your scarring?
The best way to assure minimal scarring is to choose a surgeon who is not only experienced but also certified. Board-certified plastic surgeons have received the highest levels of training and must adhere to the most stringent ethical standards. They also must remain on the cutting edge of surgical techniques and technology to ensure the best results. Reducing the risk of scarring is vital in cosmetic surgery.
All our surgeons are board-certified. They offer the most advanced health care in aesthetic medicine and deliver fantastic results. Ensuring limited scarring after surgery is only a fraction of what sets them apart from most surgeons in Charlotte, Huntersville, and the entire East Coast.
Laser Treatments for Surgical Scarring: Laser Scar Removal Tummy Tuck
By focusing light therapy on scars to stimulate new skin cell production, our selection of laser treatments can enhance your tummy tuck results and laser scar removal tummy tuck. Patients love them because they are quick, convenient, and highly effective. Although they will not wholly erase scars, they will reduce them enough to make them nearly invisible.
Your body will begin repairing the incision wound after surgery. The scars that remain are a permanent testament to the healing process. Laser treatments remove the outer, damaged layer of skin, smoothing it over to improve both tone and texture. Though it may take multiple sessions, laser therapy can be one of the most effective ways to minimize the visibility of scarring, including tummy tuck scars.
H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery is pleased to offer laser skin treatment in Charlotte, NC, and in particular laser scar removal for tummy tuck patients. Reach out to us with any questions!
Other Laser Treatment Advantages
We use laser treatments to improve all forms of damaged skin. These include sun damage, acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
If you have been considering laser treatments and would like more information, or you would like to inquire about other tummy tuck in Charlotte NC, surgical or non-surgical procedures we offer, reach out to us today and schedule a consultation. H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery provides a range of non-surgical treatments, including laser therapy; if you have any questions, we invite you to call us today and make an appointment.
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Before And After
If you’re getting a tummy tuck, you can expect to have a scar. However, there are steps you can take to reduce its visibility. What you do before your surgery is just as important as — if not more important than — what you do in recovery.
Here’s what you should keep in mind ahead of your surgery, what to watch for afterward, and what your options for scar removal are.
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What you can do before your tummy tuck
When selecting a surgeon, it’s important that you look at their portfolio. This will give you a frame of reference for their skillset and typical results. You’ll want to choose someone who has proven themselves as a reputable surgeon and with whom you feel comfortable.
Before your surgery, talk with your surgeon about the scarring. You can bring up any specific concerns you may have and determine what your scar is expected to look like. Depending on your individual surgery, you may have a V- or U-shaped scar.
Bring underwear or bikini bottoms to your surgical planning appointment so you can get a clear idea of where the scarring will be in relation to your panty line.
You should also completely stop smoking for at least six weeks before your surgery. This will help to reduce complications.
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.
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Surgery
Scarring is a consequence of any type of surgery but looms larger during a cosmetic correction. Having a good scar result after abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is critical to most patients—the less noticeable the scarring, the better the outcome. Whatever the result, it will last a lifetime. Still, there are steps plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss can take to make sure your scarring is minimized and barely noticeable.
Of course, the visibility of your tummy tuck scar starts with the surgery itself. As a highly trained and experienced body contouring specialist, Dr. Dreyfuss will take every precaution to ensure your scars are minimally visible and easily hidden by your clothing. His attention to details like incision technique, sutures, dressings, and post-surgery care will promote appropriate healing and less visible scars. He also offers post-recovery treatments that will have you forgetting about these cosmetic concerns entirely.
Laser Genesis
Laser Genesis offers a considerable improvement to scarring, including those incurred during a tummy tuck. This laser reduces the size of blood vessels in the wound, which helps reduce redness in the scar. Redness is the most significant factor for scar visibility after an operation, and most patients want to rid themselves of the discoloration quickly.
On average, this redness takes about a year to resolve to acceptable levels, longer for younger patients. Laser Genesis speeds the process by accelerating the fading of the incision wounds into your natural skin tone within a few months. It’s a fantastic treatment for tummy tuck patients who want their tummy looking smooth and even-toned as quickly as possible.
This laser skin rejuvenation process delivers high energy pulses deep into the dermis. It is highly tolerable and can be completed during lunchtime. With no anesthesia necessary, you can return to your daily routine once you leave our facility. Optimal results are apparent after about five treatments, but this number varies from patient to patient.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure, performed by our experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Hoffman, also helps to flatten the abdomen by tightening the surrounding muscles. If you are in generally good physical shape but are concerned about abdominal fat deposits or loose skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, the procedure can potentially reduce or even eliminate a protruding abdomen.
A partial tummy tuck is similar to abdominoplasty except a shorter incision is made and the skin is only lifted to the navel, which does not have to be moved.
We take the time during every pre-operative consultation to learn what our patients want to achieve from a tummy tuck both for their bodies and for their self-confidence. By listening to what patients have to say and closely examining them, rather than performing a one-size-fits-all procedure on every person, we provide patients with a completely customized treatment that takes into account their specific goals. This is our approach to every plastic surgery procedure performed at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded well to diet and exercise. We can also help older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity.
A tummy tuck can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy. Results from the tummy tuck procedure will likely diminish if women continue to bear children, so we advise patients who plan to become pregnant to delay their surgery until they are finished having children. To learn more about how a tummy tuck can be useful for women after pregnancy,
We also encourage patients who intend to lose a lot of weight to wait before undergoing the procedure, since skin in the abdominal area typically loosens after substantial weight loss.
HOW DOES A TUMMY TUCK WORK?
A tummy tuck takes approximately 2-5 hours under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make two incisions: one from hipbone to hipbone close to the pubic area, and another around the navel. The skin will be separated from the abdominal muscles, which are then pulled together and stitched into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. Next, the skin flap is stretched down and over the newly tightened muscles, remove excess skin, and reattach the navel in a natural position. Finally, your surgeon will close the incisions and apply sterile surgical dressings over the sutured areas.
Though rare, post-operative complications from surgery are possible. They may include infection, blood clots, and poor healing, which may require further surgery.
Patients who have had previous tummy tuck surgery should know that their old scars could be raised, stretched, or more noticeable after the procedure. A scar revision procedure after your tummy tuck may minimize the appearance of an unsightly scar.
HOW LONG IS RECOVERY AFTER TREATMENT?
A temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. Compression garments are usually recommended to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots. Recovery time ranges from two weeks to a few months. Most patients are back to work and other activities within 2-4 weeks.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?
You won’t see the full results of your tummy tuck right away as it takes some time for the body to heal after this procedure. Over the following months, your swelling will subside and the incision will start to heal and become less prominent. A tummy tuck will leave a scar spanning the lower abdomen from hip to hip. Your surgeon will take care to make the incision low enough for even a bikini to conceal the scar.
Within 6 months to one year, your final outcome should become evident. Those results will be very long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy