A tummy tuck is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures, but it can leave a scar that, for many patients, is wide and unsightly. Some surgeons have found ways to reduce the width of this scar and make it more visible. They do this by placing an implant or fat graft in the subcutaneous layer under the skin in the abdominal area. This helps create a raised scar that is less noticeable than a flat one.
In this article, we’ll also consider what is the best scar treatment for tummy tuck and tummy tuck scar revision.
Pleated Tummy Tuck Scar
All surgery involves incisions, and these incisions turn into scars. With proper care and these great tips, the scars you get from your tummy tuck surgery can be visibly reduced so they’re barely noticeable.
A flatter stomach, contoured waist, smoother skin, and better muscle tone — your tummy tuck surgery has done wonders for your body. You’re ecstatic about your leaner, fitter shape, but are concerned about how to minimize the appearance of the scars you’ve been left with. Typical tummy tuck scars are located in one or more of these areas:
Pelvic area
Having a tummy tuck, whether it be a mini or full procedure, can result in a horizontal scar across your lower abdomen. This scar typically runs from hip to hip, located a few centimeters below your belly button. The length of the scar can vary depending on the type of tummy tuck you had. For mini tucks, the scar may only be a few centimeters long, while for full tucks, it can extend well over each hip to the sides of your back. In some cases, the scar may be placed in the same spot where a C-section scar would be.
During a tummy tuck procedure, also known as abdominoplasty, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen to create a smoother and firmer appearance. The remaining skin is then pulled tight and sutured back together, resulting in the horizontal scar. This scar is a normal part of the healing process and will fade over time, although it may never completely disappear.
It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions to ensure proper healing of the scar. This may include keeping the incision site clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activities that could put strain on the scar, and wearing compression garments as recommended. Your surgeon may also recommend scar creams or silicone sheets to help minimize the appearance of the scar.
In some cases, additional procedures such as scar revision surgery may be necessary to improve the appearance of the scar. This can be discussed with your surgeon during follow-up appointments.
Overall, the horizontal scar from a tummy tuck is a common and expected outcome of the procedure. While it may be initially visible and prominent, with proper care and time, it will fade and become less noticeable. It is important to have realistic expectations about scarring before undergoing a tummy tuck and to discuss any concerns with your surgeon.
Belly button
Full abdominoplasty involves a scar around your belly button. This scar may be quite noticeable at first, but with time, you’ll notice that it virtually disappears because it blends in so well with your belly button.
Lower abdomen
In rare cases, you may also have a scar that runs from your belly button vertically down to the horizontal incision.
What is a scar?
A scar is any mark or blemish that was caused by the skin healing over from a wound. Normal scar formation usually follows these steps:
The first stage – closure
Whenever your skin is broken, as is the case with incisions made during your tummy tuck surgery, your body creates collagen fibres to fill it in and close it. This takes about three to four weeks.
The second stage – establishment
Collagen continually builds up at the wound site, protecting and strengthening the affected area. To support its formation, blood supply to the area increases. Both factors cause the new scar to become darker, thicker and prominent. This takes about three to six months.
The final stage – maturity
Once enough collagen has formed at the wound site, some of it breaks down and blood supply decreases. The scar becomes lighter, thinner, flatter and less palpable as well as visible. This process can take one to two years, at which point they are considered fully mature.
You should expect your scars to look darker, textured and generally worse before they get better. You may notice that they look particularly bad a couple of months after your surgery. Try not to feel discouraged because they will improve!
Irregular scars
Some patients worry about irregular scars. Irregular scarring can be hypertrophic or keloid, both resulting from an excess of collagen. Hypertrophic scars are those that are raised and redder than the unaffected skin surrounding it. Keloids are a severe type of hypertrophic scars, in which scar tissue forms beyond the original wound site.
Minimize your scars with these 6 tips
Once you get a scar, it’s pretty much yours for life. Scarred skin will always look different from unscarred skin, in that it will be paler and have a smoother texture. It may also look stretched. There are things that you can do to make your scars less visible. But just remember, the purpose of anything you do is to minimize the appearance of the scar, not eliminate it.
1. Follow care instructions. Right after your surgery, start following the incision care instructions we give to you. Instructions on hygiene and wound care will help your incisions heal properly and faster.
2. Monitor for infection. If you suspect your incision is infected at any point, let us know immediately. Infected incisions can lead to more prominent scarring.
3. Start topical treatments at the right time. Once the incision is no longer covered by scabs (don’t pick at them!) and has totally closed, you can start with topical treatments. The easiest option is to apply a product containing silicone, in the form of a gel, cream or sheeting. Silicone replicates the occlusion properties of the stratum corneum (the out layer of the skin) so that the hydration of scar tissue is normalized and, possibly, excess collagen production is stopped. Several studies have proven that silicone is beneficial in scar care, including one published in Advances in Wound Care.
Other topical products you can use are vitamin E and cocoa butter creams, although these have not been scientifically proven to be effective. They probably more to keep the scar moisturized, rather than act as a treatment.
4. Keep your skin well moisturized. You can start applying moisturizers directly to your scars only after the incisions have closed. Doing so beforehand can prevent incisions from closing properly and increase your risk of infection.
5. Don’t suntan your scars. UV exposure can make your scars darker and thicker, so make sure you cover them up from the sun at all times. It’s better to do this with clothing rather than sunscreen.
6. Avoid irritating products and clothing. Any irritation of a scar will make it worse. Use only products that are gentle to your skin
What Is The Best Scar Treatment For Tummy Tuck
Apply silicone scar treatments
One of the most crucial tips for tummy tuck scars treatment is the use of silicone scar treatment. Plastic surgeons highly recommend this method as it has been proven to be effective in reducing the appearance of scars. It is important to note that silicone scar treatment should only be applied once the incision has fully healed and is no longer covered by scabs. There are various forms of silicone scar treatments available, including gels, creams, and sheeting, all of which have shown positive results in numerous studies.
Silicone scar treatment works by creating a barrier over the scarred area, which helps to hydrate the skin and promote healing. This can help to reduce the redness, thickness, and overall appearance of the scar. The use of silicone products can also help to prevent excessive scar tissue from forming, leading to a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing result.
When using silicone scar treatment, it is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and your plastic surgeon. This may include applying the product regularly, massaging it into the scarred area, and keeping the area clean and dry. It is also important to be patient, as results may not be immediate and it may take several weeks or months to see significant improvement.
In addition to silicone scar treatment, there are other methods that can help to improve the appearance of tummy tuck scars. These may include laser therapy, steroid injections, and dermabrasion. Your plastic surgeon will be able to recommend the best treatment plan for your individual needs based on the severity of your scars and your skin type.
Overall, silicone scar treatment is a highly effective and recommended method for treating tummy tuck scars. By following the proper guidelines and being patient, you can achieve significant improvement in the appearance of your scars and feel more confident in your body. Consult with your plastic surgeon to determine the best treatment plan for you.
Tummy Tuck Scar Revision
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic procedure that helps to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat from the midsection. While the results of a tummy tuck can be transformative, some patients may be left with unsightly scars after the procedure. In some cases, these scars may be hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are raised, thickened scars that can be itchy and uncomfortable.
For patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their tummy tuck scars, scar revision surgery may be an option. During scar revision surgery, a plastic surgeon will cut out the scar tissue from the skin and then close the wound with stitches. This can help to improve the appearance of the scar and make it less noticeable. Most patients will need to wait 12 to 18 months after their tummy tuck before undergoing scar revision surgery, as it takes time for the scar to fully mature and for the tissues to heal.
It is important to note that scar revision surgery is not always necessary or recommended for all tummy tuck scars. In some cases, scars may fade and improve on their own over time, with the help of scar creams, silicone sheets, or other non-invasive treatments. However, for patients with hypertrophic or keloid scars that are causing discomfort or self-consciousness, scar revision surgery may be the best option.
Before undergoing scar revision surgery, patients should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss their options and determine the best course of treatment. The surgeon will evaluate the scar and the surrounding tissue to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. In some cases, the surgeon may recommend a combination of scar revision surgery and other treatments, such as laser therapy or steroid injections, to achieve the best results.
Overall, scar revision surgery can be an effective way to improve the appearance of tummy tuck scars and boost a patient’s confidence. By working with a skilled plastic surgeon and following post-operative care instructions, patients can achieve smoother, less noticeable scars and enjoy the full benefits of their tummy tuck procedure.