Blog Article
Tummy Tuck Scars: Why They Form, Where They Are, and How to Minimize Them
Getting a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) could dramatically improve your waistline contour and give you the firm, flat abdomen you desire. It is important to note that these incredible results are only possible with surgery, which leaves a scar afterward. Here is what you can expect for your tummy tuck incision scar and how to minimize its appearance so that you can more fully enjoy your tummy tuck results.
Why Does a Tummy Tuck Cause a Scar?
As a major surgery, abdominoplasty requires a surgical incision. The incision grants access through which the surgeon can mend the abdominal wall and tighten and firm the core. The surgeon will also use the incision site to tighten and trim away excess, overstretched skin. Afterward, the surgeon will close the incision site so that the skin can heal on its own. The natural biological healing reaction to a surgical incision or any skin wound is to form a scar, which means that after a tummy tuck (or any other major surgery), the patient should expect to have a scar.
How Scars Form
A normal healthy scar forms in the following fashion. After the skin has been cut, collagen fibers are created to fill in the open space. As collagen builds at the site, blood supply also increases. The influx of collagen and blood flow causes the scar site to darken, redden, thicken, and become more prominent. Eventually, the scar heals sufficiently to the point that the body no longer needs to send increased collagen and blood to the site. From this point on, the scar becomes progressively lighter, flatter, thinner, and less noticeable. It can take a full year or longer before a normal, healthy scar is considered fully mature and begins to fade significantly.
While most scars are normal and healthy, irregular scars can sometimes develop. For example, if the skin has an overaggressive healing response, excess collagen buildup results in a raised, dark, hypertrophic or keloid scar. For patients who follow their postoperative instructions carefully, the likelihood of irregular scar formation is rare. Nevertheless, should poor scar healing occur, various scar treatments such as surgery, laser treatments, and steroid injections can significantly improve the scar’s appearance.
Tummy Tuck Scar Location
The primary tummy tuck incision is placed horizontally in the lower abdomen. If you receive a full abdominoplasty, the incision will be located several inches below the belly button and may extend all the way from hip to hip. If you get a mini tummy tuck, the scar will be in the same location but may be shorter in length. You may also receive a small incision around the belly button, which blends with the navel generally unnoticeably, and possibly a short vertical incision above the horizontal incision if more excess skin removal is necessary. The main horizontal incision (and short vertical incision, if placed) will be low in the abdomen like a C-section incision and should not be visible when you wear a bathing suit.
How to Minimize Tummy Tuck Scars
While a tummy tuck scar is unavoidable, you can take steps to minimize it so that it is less visible.
1. Follow Your Postoperative Instructions
Your surgeon will provide you with important detailed instructions on how to care for your wound. You should follow these instructions as carefully as possible from the beginning. This will help your wound to heal cleanly and minimize scar formation.
2. Monitor Your Scar
Keep a close look at your scar and watch for any signs of infection or poor healing. Signs to watch for include excess bleeding, prolonged swelling, increased redness or bruising, severe pain, odd-smelling discharge, yellow or green drainage, numbness, fever, or chills. If you have any concerns whatsoever regarding the healing of your incision, call your surgeon. If there is an infection or problem with the healing process, it can lead to a more prominent scar, so it is important to get any issues resolved right away.
3. Avoid Irritating the Skin
Do not scratch, pester, or irritate the scar site in any way. Avoid clothing that will rub or scratch at the scar site; instead, wear soft, gentle fabrics that will not harm the skin. Any irritation can reopen a new wound or interfere with tissue healing.
4. Use Moisturizer and Topical Treatments
Once the incision has completely healed and closed, apply moisturizer and topical treatments in accordance with your surgeon’s recommendations. A quality moisturizer and silicone gel, cream, or sheeting can help keep the scar hydrated, reduce the risk of excess collagen production, and lead to a flatter, smoother scar.
5. Avoid the Sun
UV exposure can darken the skin, and new scar tissue is especially vulnerable to its effects. Both sunscreen and clothing should be used for skin protection, but because sun rays can still penetrate through thin clothing it is best to minimize any sun exposure to your lower abdomen. This recommendation is necessary if you wish to prevent the sun from darkening your scar tissue.
6. Do Not Smoke
While this may go without saying, any smoking for at least six weeks before or after your surgery can inhibit the healing process. Smoking decreases circulation and can lead to poor scarring after your surgery. For the sake of your scar, your recovery, and your health, do not smoke.
7. Be Careful with Physical Activity
After surgery and during the first few weeks of recovery, you should plan to rest a lot and engage in light activities such as short walks to reduce swelling and promote good circulation. Circulation can help your surgical incision heal better and faster. Until you are cleared for exercise, avoid strenuous physical activity that may put pressure on your abdomen, as this can tear the incision and lead to irregular scarring.
8. Consume Healthy Food and Drink
A healthy diet gives your body essential nutrients and vitamins. Following your doctor-recommended dietary plan by consuming plenty of healthy liquids, fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins will promote healthy cellular function and help your incision to heal properly.
9. Let It Heal
By about 12 weeks after surgery your scar should be mostly healed, but it may take up to a year or longer to begin to fade. Knowing that scars will usually worsen before they fade, it is usually best to wait and let the scar site continue to heal rather than immediately requesting scar treatments. In most cases, the scar will gradually fade on its own.
Most people feel that considering the amazing results of tummy tuck surgery, the scar after a tummy tuck is a small price to pay. Remember why you are pursuing abdominoplasty and what results you are looking for as you consider the impact of the scar. With your healthy and proactive actions during recovery, you can help your incision heal quickly and cleanly so that the resulting scar is as minimal as possible. Over time, your tummy tuck scar should continue to fade and become less and less noticeable with every passing year. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery and what you can expect for your tummy tuck scar, schedule your appointment with Dr. Mouchantat today. Call (303) 232-8585 or contact us online for more information.
