This is my healed tummy tuck scar. I am so happy with it. I was in so much pain for the first week after surgery, but that’s to be expected when you have a large incision that goes from hip to hip. After one week, the pain started to subside and I was able to get up and move around a bit. I had a lot of swelling that took over two months to go down completely! I’m a nurse, so I’m used to having scrupulously clean hands, but even washing my fingertips carefully several times a day was not enough to prevent infection of my incision site. It’s very important to keep your incisions clean because any sort of infection can lead to serious problems later on. The healing process was long, but it didn’t take long for me to look and feel better than ever before!
A tummy tuck procedure is a significant commitment. Recovery time for the average tummy tuck procedure ranges from three to six months (or more, if you’re working out regularly). For some people, it’s worth it—but for others, it’s not. The prospect of such a long recovery period, however, shouldn’t be what keeps people from having the procedure. If your tummy tuck scar isn’t healing well after three months, you should seek help from a doctor.
The first thing most doctors will do is rule out infection as the cause of the problem. Sometimes, a skin infection happens right under the surface of the skin, and no amount of antibiotics will heal it. A physician will look for these signs and treat them appropriately. Sometimes, an infection on or near a skin incision can cause scar tissue to build up that leads to adhesions between tissues that can make healing difficult—in this case, surgery might be necessary to remove the scar tissue or dissolve them through chemicals. If an infection isn’t present and there aren’t any signs of adhesions, you may need to talk with your plastic surgeon about your options. Your doctor may ask you to follow a course of physical therapy to help break up scar tissue with movement;
Tummy tuck scars are complex to heal, and it takes time for them to look their best. The first few months can be a little challenging. Your scar will have an obvious depression in it—this is called the “hollowing” phase. This lasts about 4-6 weeks. As your scar flattens out and begins to fade, you will notice new skin growing in the center of your scar—this is called “hypertrophying.” This phase can last up to 2 years, during which time you might experience some tenderness and itching.
During the first year, you may feel a sensation of heat or burning in your scar when your body temperature changes. You may want to use a topical pain reliever or cold packs on your scar this way. After this first year, most patients find that their scars are less sensitive and are happy with the results of their tummy tuck surgery.
The abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. During this procedure, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen to create a tighter and flatter appearance. The resulting scar is fairly prominent, especially in darker-skinned patients like myself. However, with time and proper recovery protocol, that noticeable mark can fade significantly, as I have experienced firsthand.
Although many factors determine how quickly a scar will heal itself (including skin type, location on the body, and the patient’s age), there are certain steps you can take to ensure a smooth recovery process and a scar that will eventually become almost invisible. Here are my top 12 tips for healing your tummy tuck scar:
1.) Hold off on cardio right after surgery—It may be tempting to schedule that first workout session as soon as you’re able to move around again, but it’s important to give your body time to heal properly before you get back into exercising. Instead of hitting the gym right away, focus on building up your strength with low-impact exercises such as light walking or stationary cycling until your doctor gives you the OK to return to your usual routine.
2.) Turn down the heat
A tummy tuck involves removing the excess skin and fat that builds up around your abdomen after pregnancy. It also entails tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. The scar left behind can be a bit unsightly since it is located in such an exposed area. In this patient, the scar was treated with silicone sheets (Silastic®) as part of his postoperative care at our center. These silicone pads are affixed to the wound site to improve its appearance, feel more comfortable, and decrease the tendency for the scar to stretch over time.
This woman was a candidate for abdomen surgery that would have left her with a long, stretched out scar. Instead, she sought out an advanced abdominoplasty technique that created a much smaller scar in the location where her incision used to be.
After the first week, I begin to apply a small amount of Aquaphor to my scar. It is not greasy and does not stain the clothing. It is readily available at most pharmacies and supermarkets. This helps to keep the scar moist and pliable and helps it to heal well. Always follow your doctors instructions.
What Does a Tummy Tuck Scar Look Like After a Year?
“What does a tummy tuck scar look like after a year?”
I have performed tummy tucks for over 20 years and use the same incision technique on all my patients. His is my “classic” approach to abdominoplasty. I place the incision vertically in the lower abdomen (below the bikini line) and horizontally in the area of the belly button. This allows me to remove excess skin, tighten the abdominal muscles, and reposition the belly button. In addition, I liposuction other areas of the body as needed (and without any additional incisions). There are many variations of this technique that can be customized to your individual anatomy and cosmetic goals.
Abdominoplasty is a very popular procedure that can significantly improve your appearance. If you want more information or want to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at (972) 370-5132.
Tummy Tuck Photos: Before & After Pictures of Abdominoplasty | Dallas, TX
View Tummy Tuck before and after photos from restorative plastic surgery procedures performed by Dr. Robert Schwartz in Dallas, Texas.
A tummy tuck scar after a year is usually thin and white. It becomes progressively less noticeable over the years. The tummy tuck scar starts out thick and red and sits low on the abdomen. Since the scar is in an area that is exposed to sun, it is important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30. Some patients may be predisposed to hypertrophic scars or keloids which are thicker than normal scars. These can be treated with steroid injections or laser therapy.
You are reviewing a 46 year old female who has had a tummy tuck and lipo to the flanks.
Her weight is 165lbs and height is 5’5.
She reports that her tummy tuck scar is still sore and she wants to know when it will be stable.
The tummy tuck is a very popular cosmetic procedure for patients seeking a flatter, more contoured abdomen. It is typically performed on patients who have excess skin and/or fat in the lower abdomen after weight loss or pregnancy.
The surgery involves an incision that extends from hip to hip and can be positioned along or just above the pubic bone. The location of the scar is highly variable and depends on the patient’s anatomy as well as their goals. For instance, women who plan to have children in the future may choose to have a low scar so that it can be hidden by underwear or a bikini. However, if a shorter incision will compromise the results, then it would be best to have one that extends further up on the abdomen where it can be covered by a swimsuit bottom or more modest clothing.
Even after the surgery, it takes time for the scar to fully heal and become less noticeable. It is not until about six months to one year after surgery that most patients decide their abdominoplasty scars are acceptable and not visible in most clothing.
I suggest consulting with an experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring procedures for more information about tummy tuck surgery and what to expect from your scar.
Tummy tuck scars are long and located low on the abdomen. They can be anywhere from 2 to 6 inches in length and will be visible below a bikini line. Scars after tummy tuck are usually well hidden, but their visibility depends on skin laxity and your body type.
The scar appearance is not an indicator of the extent of the procedure performed. Some patients may have only a small scar because of the limited amount of skin removal, whereas others may have a large scar due to more extensive surgery.
The photos below show scars after abdominoplasty in three different patients. The first patient has a very flat abdomen with just a small amount of excess skin above the belly button, which was removed with a mini-tummy tuck. The second patient removed 1500 cc of fat (almost 3 pounds) and had some muscle tightening in addition to skin removal. She had a lot of stretch marks that were removed along with the excess skin. The third patient had removal of 3000 cc of fat (6 pounds) and also had muscle tightening in addition to skin removal (see previous page). Note how much smaller her waist is after surgery!
The main difference that you see between these three patients is the amount of stretch marks they have. This is often
The tummy tuck scar is a continuous line that runs from hip to hip. In a full tummy tuck, the scar is low, just above the pubic hairline. In the mini tummy tuck, the incision will be lower than that in a full abdominoplasty.
This single incision allows plastic surgeons to remove excess skin and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. In many cases, liposuction is also performed through this incision.
The biggest difference between a tummy tuck and other cosmetic procedures is that it requires an incision in order to achieve optimal results
A tummy tuck surgery is a major procedure, so you want to make sure your surgeon has experience performing this type of procedure. As with any cosmetic surgery, always ask for before-and-after photos of previous patients and talk to them about their experiences.
Tummy tuck scar
A tummy tuck can be used to remove loose skin and fat in the lower abdomen along with stretch marks. It can also reshape and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Tummy tucks are popular among both men and women with excess skin or fat as a result of pregnancy or aging.
With any kind of cosmetic surgery, there will be scars. However, a carefully performed tummy tuck can leave a scar that’s hidden under a bikini bottom or underwear line. The length of the scar may vary depending on the extent of work that needs to be done but generally speaking, it should not extend beyond the hips on either side.
In addition to minimizing your risk of infection, avoiding tobacco helps ensure that your tummy tuck scars heal properly. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for your scars following surgery but in general, you should pay close attention to hygiene and avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight.(
Does a Tummy Tuck Scar Ever Fade?
The most common tummy tuck scar is a horizontal scar across the lower abdomen. The length of the scar will vary based on the patient’s anatomy and the degree of improvement needed. Most patients will see the scar close to their bikini line, but it can also be placed higher on the abdomen depending on what needs to be corrected. In some cases, a vertical scar may be present as well if extra work was done in that area. Other scars are possible for different kinds of tummy tucks or surgery, but these are the two most common types.
The resulting scar from a tummy tuck will fade over time and may even become difficult to see. However, it will never completely disappear — no surgical scar does. This can occur within six months to a year after surgery, but the healing process can take up to two years or more
It is not uncommon for patients who have had a tummy tuck to be concerned about the appearance of their scar. The majority of patients who undergo this procedure are left with a scar that spans the length of their abdomen.
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from around the belly. It can also be used to repair weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can help create a flatter belly and, when combined with liposuction, can provide dramatic results.
It is not uncommon for patients who have had a tummy tuck to be concerned about the appearance of their scar. The majority of patients who undergo this procedure are left with a scar that spans the length of their abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Scars
A tummy tuck scar is similar in appearance to what might be seen after a c-section or hysterectomy. Most surgeons make every attempt to keep the scar as low as possible so it can easily be hidden beneath underwear or swimwear.
The good news is that scars do fade over time, especially if they were sutured properly during surgery and cared for properly during recovery. In some cases, however, scars may not fade completely
As with any incision, the tummy tuck scar will mature over time. The scar will be red or pink for six months to a year. However, scars usually take about two years to fully mature. Over this time, the scar will become less visible and should fade in color.
The final appearance of your tummy tuck scar will depend on several factors:
Your skin type
Your personal healing process
If you had a mini or a full tummy tuck
Whether or not you had liposuction performed at the same time as your tummy tuck
If you develop an infection after abdominoplasty that needs to be treated with antibiotics is also a factor that may affect how well your scar heals.
In order to minimize the appearance of a tummy tuck scar and help it heal properly:
Wear your compression garment as directed by your surgeon. This helps contour your new shape while minimizing the amount of swelling in the area of surgery.
Have suture removal performed when necessary according to your surgeon’s directions. If you have dissolving stitches, they will disappear on their own. If you have non-dissolving stitches, they need to be removed in order to prevent irritation and infection in the affected area
The Tummy Tuck Scar
The tummy tuck scar is one of the most conspicuous aspects of the procedure, but it is also one of the areas where patients have the most misconceptions. The important thing to understand about scars is that they are permanent. The body will continue to “work” on a scar for up to two full years and a process known as hypertrophy can give scars an exaggerated, raised appearance.
Later, as people age, their scars will begin to fade and may even become less noticeable than before surgery. As this happens, however, the rest of the body begins to show signs of aging and so people may not notice or care about their tummy tuck scar.
Yes, it is possible to have a tummy tuck scar that is barely noticeable. The reason why most people have a prominent scar is because they do not follow the instructions that their doctor gives to them.
The doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of your scar after surgery. Some doctors may even use a special tape on the scar. But you can do even more to make sure your tummy tuck scar heals properly.
Here are some of the best methods for minimizing your tummy tuck scar:
Stick to the routine that your doctor gives you
Scar cream / gel
Silicone sheets for scars
Tummy tuck scars can be quite extensive and can take a long time to fade. It is not uncommon for the scar to be red, raised, and hard for around six months after surgery. During this period of time, the scar is still healing.
In a full abdominoplasty (the type of tummy tuck most commonly done), the scar is going to run horizontally along the lower abdomen. This scar will be covered if you bend over and will generally be hidden by underwear or pants.
The scar begins to fade during the second half of the first year after surgery. The degree to which it will fade varies from patient to patient. Some patients will have white scars that are barely visible a few years after surgery, while others will have relatively red scars that are slightly raised and visible even at a distance.
This is where genetics come into play; some people just heal better than others and have keloid or hypertrophic scars that do not fade as well as other people’s do.
Tummy tuck scars can be extensive, as they typically run hip to hip just above the pubic area. Tummy tuck scars are often visible even through clothing (for example, a bikini) and can sometimes be quite wide. But tummy tuck scars can be improved, and might even fade with time.
To reduce the prominence of your tummy tuck scar:
Choose an experienced surgeon. He or she will work to place the incision in an area that can be easily concealed by clothing — for example, in a natural skin fold. This is especially important for those who plan to wear swimwear or lingerie.
Try silicone gel sheeting. Silicone gel sheeting has been shown in some studies to flatten and fade scars. It also helps reduce itching associated with healing.
Get laser treatment. Your plastic surgeon may recommend laser treatment to help your tummy tuck scar fade more quickly and blend into the surrounding skin tone