Are you planning to undergo tummy tuck to tighten your abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and fat and create a flatter, firmer stomach? You can expect to have some scarring after surgery. However, not every tummy tuck patient scars the same way. Take a moment to learn more about tummy tuck scars from the team at The Plastic Surgery Center.
A Permanent Scar that Fades Over Time
The incision required to perform tummy tuck will leave a horizontal scar along your lower abdomen. The scar will fade in the months following surgery, but it will never completely disappear.
The severity of your scar can vary slightly, depending on the following factors:
- Your skin type and whether you are prone to noticeable scarring
- The surgical technique used
- How well you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions
- Whether you experience any post-operative complications (e.g., infection)
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Scar’s Visibility
Although scarring is inevitable, there are steps you can take prior to and after surgery to minimize how visible it is.
One of the best things you can do is to select a reputable surgeon with experience and a great portfolio of before and after images. At The Plastic Surgery Center, your satisfaction is our top priority — we want you to be happy with your results. We try to place the tummy tuck incision as low on the abdomen as possible, so that the scarring can be concealed under a bikini bottom or a pair of underwear. Prior to your surgery, we will plan out the location of the incision/scar to make sure you are happy with it. You can even bring your favorite bikini bottom to this appointment to get an idea of where the scarring will be located in relation to the bathing suit.
Taking good care of yourself, not smoking and eating a healthy diet prior to and after surgery will reduce the risk of complications that could lead to noticeable scarring.
Following the aftercare guidelines provided by our surgeons will also help to minimize how visible your scarring is. We may recommend that you apply certain products or use scar management techniques to help the scar fade nicely. We can explain how to watch for signs of infection that may affect its appearance. Protecting your scar from the sun for at least a year after surgery is also prudent.
Finally, there are treatments (e.g., steroid injections or laser procedures) that can improve the size, color and texture of your scar, although they will not completely remove the scar. We can give you more information about these options if you are interested.
Learn More about Tummy Tuck Scars
Most of our tummy tuck patients feel that the results of surgery largely outweigh the disadvantages of having a scar. We are happy to provide you with more information about tummy tuck surgery and scarring during an in-person consultation. Call or email us today to request an appointment.
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