Tummy tuck scars can be a hindrance to your self-confidence. They are often very visible, especially after you’ve lost weight. This is why many people go for laser treatments in order to reduce the visibility of their tummy tuck scars.
Laser treatments for tummy tuck scars can help you get rid of your scarring by making them less noticeable. It’s important to understand that these treatments won’t completely remove your scarring, but they will make them much less visible.
The best way to know if laser treatment is right for you is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures like tummy tucking. They will be able to tell you if this type of procedure is right for your specific needs and concerns.
Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on tummy tuck scar removal before and after, tummy tuck scar removal cost, laser skin resurfacing tummy tuck, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Laser Treatment For Tummy Tuck Scars
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.
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.
Where do Scars typically develop after a Tummy Tuck?
Typically, tummy tuck scars are located in the following areas:
- Around your relocated Belly button
- The Lower abdomen and Pelvic area – under the tummy overhang
Correct placement of the incision is critical to get a good result. You can see the placement of scars in our before and after tummy tuck photos
What should you do BEFORE your Tummy Tuck to minimise your tummy scars?
The following are some things to do prior to your tummy tuck procedure that can help reduce scarring:
- Tummy Tuck Incision placement is critical so Find an experienced cosmetic plastic surgeon: Consider their skills and experience doing Tummy Tuck Surgery. You can also discuss concerns with your surgeon about the scarring associated with the procedure. You can ask what the scar is expected to look like as well as normal and abnormal scars during your recovery period. A surgeon like Dr Gittos with significant experience in the field of cosmetic surgery will be able to answer all your questions. Hiding your incision line in the best possible place takes an expert surgeon.
- Bring underwear or bikini bottoms to your surgical planning appointment: This will help you to get a clear idea of where your tummy tuck incision line scars will be. Your surgeon will suggest different types of surgical incisions that can be concealed with your underwear.
- Refrain from smoking for at least six weeks before your surgery: This will help reduce complications of your tummy tuck procedure. Nicotine in cigarettes is a potent vasoconstrictor, which means that it narrows the blood vessels and impairs blood supply. This in turn delays the wound healing process.
- Tell Dr Gittos about your current medications: Some antibiotics, anticonvulsants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids can impair the wound healing process and lead to a poor cosmetic result. Talking to your health care provider helps identify medications that can possibly affect the outcome of your tummy tuck surgery.
What should you do AFTER your Tummy Tuck to minimise your tummy scars?
During your recovery period, adhere to your surgeon’s instructions and the following tips may help to achieve your desired cosmetic result and lower your risk of complications:
- Move! – Walk around gently as soon as possible after surgery: This will help reduce swelling and blood clot formation which can lead to longer recovery time and prominent scars.
- Rest and Recover after the operation – spend some time recovering after surgery. Avoid stress and overexertion to allow your scars to heal.
- Avoid lifting heavy items for at least six weeks: Avoid doing activities that stretch, bend, or cause you to put pressure on your abdomen. This can put additional tension on your suture line, resulting in wound dehiscence (reopening of the surgical wound).
- Clean the surgical wound exactly as prescribed by your surgeon: Before discharge, your doctor will teach you the proper wound cleansing technique. Make sure to follow discharge instructions to prevent infection of your surgical wound and minimize scarring. Sterility counts – Do NOT pick at the wound or use your unwashed fingers.
- Consider using silicone gels or silicone strips: These silcone gels or ultra-thin sheets of silicone are applied to scars. It significantly reduces the appearance of surgical scars by keeping the surgical wound hydrated [1], reducing the activity of inflammatory cytokines and fibroblasts (cells involved in scar formation) [2], reducing wound tension [3], decreasing blood flow to the scar site [4], and aiding in the proper alignment of structural proteins. [5]
- Avoid sexual activities for three weeks: Resuming your sexual activity immediately can also put additional tension on your suture line, which can lead to further injury and scarring.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds: Prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds can alter the appearance of your surgical scar by inducing hyperpigmentation, a condition characterized by the darkening of the skin. This can make your scar more noticeable.
- If you are worried about keloid scarring,- talk to Dr Gittos regarding topical steroids: Topical steroids reduce surgical scars by protecting against programmed cell death (apoptosis) [6] and improving blood circulation in the dermis (skin layer between the epidermis and fat tissue). [7]
- Consider additional laser therapy of the scar after scars have healed and sealed up at about 6-8 weeks: Laser therapy is a minimally invasive scar revision procedure that reduces the appearance of surgical scars by destroying small blood vessels in immature scars which in turn prevents scar formation. [8] This procedure also has an additional effect of stimulating the treated skin area to replace old, damaged skin cells with new, healthy cells, resulting in younger-looking skin. [9] – Further laser treatments have proven effective to improve the appearance of some scars.
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Before And After
Are you dissatisfied with the scar left behind after your tummy tuck procedure? You can still enjoy the results of your procedure without baring the noticeable scars. Here’s everything you need to know prior to your tummy tuck scar revision.
tummy tuck scar revision
A tummy tuck might increase your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your skin. But what happens when you’re left with a scar that makes you feel self-conscious?
You can consult a board certified plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck scar revision. Just make sure you’re giving your body enough time to heal so that you’re as safe as possible.
On average, the healing process takes about 12 weeks. However, some patients experience longer healing times of a year.
But that’s just the beginning. Keep reading for more information on the procedures that remove those scars.
Which Type of Scar do You Have?
No two scars are identical, whether they are the result of a tummy tuck or something else. Before having a scar removed, you should know the differences between different types of scarring.
Here are some examples of different scars:
Superficial
A superficial scar is one that doesn’t go beyond the top layer of your skin. It’s not as noticeable as other scars.
These are the scars that you can sometimes fade with special creams and ointments.
Keloid
Keloids usually form after surgery or an injury. This type of scar usually comes from excess collagen or protein in the skin during the healing process.
When a keloid grows, it is usually bigger than the initial wound. They’re typically raised and rigged and darker than the surrounding skin in color.
Hypertrophic
If you have a hypertrophic scar, it’s easy to mistake it for a keloid because they look so similar. The main difference between the two is that the scar tissue won’t grow outside of the area of the initial wound.
Contracture
Contracture scars cover large areas of the skin. Think of the scarring that’s associated with severe burns.
The new scar tissue can tighten the skin that surrounds the wound. And in the most extreme cases, this can cause problems with movement.
Tummy Tuck Scar Revision Procedures
Because there are different types of scars, the method your plastic surgeon uses to remove yours will depend on a few different factors. This includes the size and type of scar you have.
These are some of the scar removal techniques your surgeon can use:
Shave Excision
If you have a raised tummy tuck scar, your doctor might remove it during a shave excision. They will use a surgical shaver to make the surface of your skin smoother.
In the majority of cases, the wound can heal without stitches or sutures. Instead, you will receive a topical treatment like an ointment.
Scar Removal or Modification
This is another method of improving the appearance of a scar that’s raised. The scar might be completely removed or modified.
During a removal, an incision is made around the scar tissue and some of your healthy skin. Once it’s removed from your body, the wound is closed using sutures.
If a modification is performed, it is probably because the scar is the result of a suture that wasn’t closed properly. This procedure involves opening a scar and then closing it with a better suture than before.
Skin Graft or Tissue Expansion
These two procedures are used mostly on large scars, so you probably won’t encounter either during a tummy tuck revision. In situations like these, skin is taken from one part of your body and attached to the open wound where the scarring was.
This way, when you heal from the surgery, the skin blends and looks more natural.
Injectibles
If your tummy tuck scar is depressed instead of raised, it’s best to inject it with a dermal filler. Although there are different options for injectible such as these, the best fillers for scars are ones that are made mostly from collagen.
When the scar is injected, the scar will rise so that it’s aligned with the surface of your healthy skin. This part of the procedure is performed while your doctor shapes the skin on the outside to ensure that the surface flattens properly.
Surface Treatments
If you have a very light or mild scar, a surface treatment can help fade or even remove it. These are some surface treatments you might see recommended:
Chemical Peels
Although there a many at-home chemical peels on the market, they won’t be as strong or effective as the peel you receive from your doctor. Chemical peels usually use lactic acids to remove the damaged layers of your skin. This will promote more even healing and smoothness.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments or light therapy is used to remove the damaged skin from your body. But they also help target the blood vessels within a scar to reduce discoloration and redness. During the process, the growth of new skin cells is stimulated.
Dermabrasion
You may already know dermabrasion as a method of refreshing the skin on the face to remove fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. This treatment is an effective way of removing scarring in other areas of the body, including a tummy tuck scar on the abdomen.
Dermabrasion is an exfoliation technique that your doctor will perform with a handheld tool to minimize the appearance of your scar.
Skin Bleaching
Scar tissue is usually darker than the other skin on your body. So, your doctor might add skin bleaching to another technique to improve your results.
Healing and Recovery
Generally speaking, scar revision surgery for a tummy tuck is performed under local anesthesia. However, if the scar is larger than usual, your doctor might choose to use general anesthesia instead.
After surgery, you need to take good care of the treated area to ensure the best healing. For instance, you want to keep it clean, change out bandages as needed, and apply any topical medications your doctor provides.
In most cases, you’ll still have the scar after surgery, but it would have faded significantly. The best results can take up to 6 months to appear.
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal Cost
Each year, 100 million individuals in the developed world acquire a scar of some kind. 55 million of them will have some kind of surgery to revise their scar and make it less obvious to those around them.
Scar revision surgery can boost confidence and allow individuals to feel more at home in their bodies. Although in many cases a scar cannot be completely removed, a good plastic surgeon can make it much less noticeable.
If you have a scar that needs to be diminished, you may wonder how much a scar revision surgery costs. We’ve got you covered. Read on for more information about the procedure.
Scar Revision Surgery Cost
The cost of your scar revision surgery depends on where the scar is and how extensive it is. You may need a skin graft if the scar is very severe.
The type of scar is also taken into consideration when determining the price.
You can, however, expect to pay around $500 for a smaller and less noticeable scar. If you need a skin graft for a bigger and more complex scar, you may pay as much as $4,000. This hefty price tag typically includes a skin graft.
Keloid Scars
One very noticeable type of scar that often requires surgery is a keloid scar. This is when small irregular clusters of scar tissue grow on or over the site of the wound. This can occur after an injury, but many experience it after traumas like major surgery. You can also develop keloid scars after smaller traumas, like an infected piercing.
Keloids form as the body attempts to heal itself, and they can appear up to one year after the trauma occurred. They are often a different color than your skin and are often more obvious on darker skinned individuals.
Some keloid scars are not only unsightly but can develop itching, redness, and burning that many find unbearable. To mitigate this, some doctors inject steroids into the scar.
A keloid scar is one that doctors often see for removal or minimization. How your doctor goes about treating your scar will depend on the scar itself, but there are several different techniques.
Surgical Techniques for the Removal of Keloid Scars
Your surgeon may decide to use a non-invasive procedure instead of cutting into the keloid scar. This is often accomplished with a laser to help lessen its appearance.
However, this is often done in conjunction with injecting steroids or attempting to freeze off the scar.
If your keloid scar is especially bad, your surgeon may decide to perform a skin graft, which is more expensive. He or she will take healthy skin tissue from another area of your body. They remove the keloid scar and replaced it with this skin graft. Although it will not completely erase the appearance of a scar, it will make it less noticeable.
This also helps individuals who have trouble with itching, redness, and tenderness.
Discoloration or Surface Irregularities
Discoloration or surface irregularities are small scars on the skin that are not as noticeable. They cause no symptoms and typically do not bother the sufferer. They can, however, be a cosmetic issue.
These scars are typically caused by acne, small wounds such as piercings or punctures or Chicken Pox scars. They are cheaper to have repaired and do not require a skin graft or other advanced technique to repair. Often, nonsurgical lasers reduce their appearance.
Contracture Scars
Like keloids scars, contracture scars cause discomfort as well as self-consciousness due to their appearance. These types of scars most often form over a joint or a group of muscles. Because the skin is tighter due to the trauma and injury you’ve suffered, it can restrict movement in an area.
This type of scar is often seen after a burn and often occurs on the face, neck, fingers, arms, and hands. Individuals with this type of scar face daily discomfort, and surgery can help the scar heal to relieve pain and make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Contracture scars are often the type that requires a skin graft or flap, so they can be more expensive types to treat.
A contracture scar is typically removed before the surgery begins. Then, a skin graft or skin flap replaces the skin. A skin graft is a slice of skin from a healthier part of the body. The skin flap contains its own blood vessels, along with part of the muscles, fat, and blood supply of that particular area. This is important for parts of the body burned off that may not have these layers underneath any longer.
Some surgeons also use a tissue expansion surgery together with a skin flap. This is a newer type but can help expand the tissue without having to use too much of a skin flap.
When repairing a contracture scar, there will still be a noticeable scar, but it will be more comfortable.
Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars are those in which the incision has raised or discolored. They are typically asymptomatic but can bother the patient because of their appearance.
To remove a hypertrophic scar, a doctor may inject steroids into it. If this does not work, he or she may remove the scar and reposition the incision to make it less noticeable.