After undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, it is common for the scar to remain red and slightly raised for up to 6 months. During this time, the scar may also feel itchy, but this sensation should diminish within a few months. Over the course of the next year or two, the scar will gradually fade and flatten. While tummy tuck scars typically flatten after the initial healing period, they may still appear dark with a reddish pigment due to the body’s natural healing process, which increases blood supply to the wound. It is important to be patient and allow the scar to continue healing and fading over time.
In general, you can expect to start seeing results around 3 months after your surgery. When you notice that the shape of your abdomen has changed significantly, you’ll know that you’re on track for a great result!
Tummy Tuck Scar Pictures After 6 Months
It’s been six months since your tummy tuck, and you’re ready to show off your new body. You’ve been following all of our advice, and now we’re here to help you get the best tummy tuck scar pictures after six months. Follow these simple tips for the best tummy tuck scar pictures after six months:
- Start with a great camera. If you’re going to be taking a lot of photos, then investing in a good camera is worth it!
- Get natural lighting. The best way to get natural lighting is by going outside in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn’t directly overhead but still bright enough to see what you’re doing—and perfect for taking tummy tuck scar pictures after six months!
- Use reflective surfaces like mirrors or glass to light up parts of your body that are harder to see on their own (like your tummy tuck scars!).
- Find a flattering angle for yourself—one that makes you look amazing from every angle!
What to Expect After 6 Months
You should feel significantly better two months after your surgery, although your body is still going through the healing process.
Possible Side Effects
Your tummy tuck two months post-op should leave you experiencing little-to-no side effects, meaning pain should be gone, scars are healing nicely, and swelling is gone or minimal. This varies on a case-by-case basis, but many are able to enjoy life as normal again.
Tips for Care Week-By-Week
As mentioned, your body is still recovering, so take it easy and apply the following tips to your post-op healing:
- Be patient: It could take between three and six months to see the final effects of your tummy tuck, and for some patients, it may be a full year before the healing effects of embrace® Active Scar Defense are complete.
- Practice healthy habits: A tummy tuck is only effective with weight management, so be sure to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Tummy Tuck Scar Care Week 8 and Beyond
The first eight weeks following your surgery are the most important for scar prevention, and embrace® offers visible results in as little as four weeks. However, it’s important to remain committed to your scar treatment and reapply as necessary.
Tummy Tuck Scar Removal
It’s a two-part process
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 pants.
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.
Tummy Tuck Scars Healed
Apply topical vitamin E
Some research 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 doesn’t go away with 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
Mini Tummy Tuck Scar
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.
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.
Tummy Tuck Scar Healing Stages
A tummy tuck scar will generally first appear as very fine and white in colour straight after surgery (although often not visible due to dressings), before progressing from deep purple, to red, to pink and then slowly fading back to pale purple and then white over 18 months to 2 years. This pattern is a typical scar progression and is why we advise patients not to fixate on the scar while they are still in their recovery period.
