How To Ensure Your Scars Look Great After A Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most common and effective ways to take control of your appearance. Perimeter Plastic Surgery treats women as well as men who want to trim, smooth, and refresh their waistlines. Just like with any surgery, it is important to understand the incision scar that may be present after surgery. Learn how to heal your tummy tuck scar and enjoy a lifetime of beautiful results.

What Is A Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) are plastic surgery procedures that help correct any excess skin or fat around the waist. A tummy tuck also corrects loose abdominal muscles. Patients are often interested in tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy, weight loss, or muscle damage.

When you work with Perimeter Plastic Surgery, you’ll have a consultation with our double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Deutsch, to see if you’re a good tummy tuck candidate. He will examine your midsection from below your ribs to your groin area to see if a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck is a good option for you.

What To Expect From Your Tummy Tuck Scar

Tummy tuck scars are usually easy to disguise under clothing or bathing suits. Your surgeon will be careful to place your scar as low across your abdomen as possible for the best results.

Once you’re home and your skin has fully healed, you can start to reduce your scarring. Every tummy tuck scar is unique. Your particular experience will depend on your genetics as well as your post-surgery routine, and our team will craft a scar-reducing routine that’s best for you.

Common Ways to Minimize Tummy Tuck Scarring

Incision Taping

The first strategy to minimize scarring begins while you’re still on the operating table. Your surgeon will close your incision using dissolvable sutures beneath your skin. These stitches are designed to help your body heal, then dissolve when they’re no longer needed. There’s no need to have stitches removed after surgery using this method.

Externally, your wound will be sealed using sterile paper tape. Sterile tape protects your healing incision, minimizes skin tension, and provides light pressure to discourage scarring. You can expect to tape your incision weekly for about six weeks after surgery.

Scar-Fading Topical Creams And Ointments

Once your incision no longer needs to be taped, you can start using topical creams, lotions, and ointments that encourage scar fading. There are many scar creams available and our team will help you find the best for your goals. Ingredients like vitamin E, silicone, and hydroquinone are great options for improving healing, keeping your incision moisturized, and reducing pigmentation.

High-Waisted Garments

You should avoid unnecessary scar irritation during the healing process. Many patients wear a medical compression garment for several weeks or months after surgery. This compression supports your body during the healing process and reduces swelling.

After you stop wearing your compression garment, you should still choose high-waisted pants and undergarments. Avoid low waistbands that can rub against your scar or feel uncomfortable while you’re still healing. This wardrobe choice will prevent irritation and encourage your scar to keep fading.

Laser And Light Treatments

We’ll reassess your progress a year after surgery. Some patients have great results with their natural healing process and topical scar treatments. Others continue to see scars that are noticeably red or pink.

Your genetics play a major role in your scar healing process. If wounds and cuts tend to heal quickly and easily, with scars that disappear on their own, your tummy tuck scar is likely to fade as well. If you tend to scar heavily, even a mini tummy tuck can lead to noticeable scarring.

Scars don’t ordinarily fade further after a year. If you’re unhappy with your scarring at this time, Perimeter Plastic Surgery can help you figure out the next steps. Many patients see major improvement by adding laser and light treatments to their regime.

Laser resurfacing treatments help smooth scars and make their texture less obvious. Light-based treatments take a different approach. These procedures specifically target dark pigments to lighten scars and reduce redness. Depending on your scar and your ideal results, Perimeter Plastic Surgery may recommend both light and laser treatments.

Regardless of which treatment is best for you, you should expect to have several sessions before seeing your final results.

Microneedling Collagen Therapy

Microneedling is another proven option for treating scars. Microneedle devices include minuscule surgical needles to create thousands of tiny injuries on your skin. These small wounds encourage your skin to make collagen and elastin, helping your skin regenerate smoothly and firmly. Microneedling is ideal for scars that heal unevenly.

Explore All Of Your Tummy Tuck Options

Tummy tucks are safe, common procedures that deliver stunning results. If you want to address loose skin around your midsection or are struggling with damaged abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck can help renew and repair your body. Perimeter Plastic Surgery’s expert medical team is ready to explore your options. We’ll explain the entire process, from your initial consultation to post-surgery scar treatments. Contact us today at (470) 287-5760 to learn about tummy tucks in Atlanta or view our before and after photos.