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Treatment to Help Minimize Tummy Tuck Scar?

asked 3 years ago by erppie in Boston, MA
Latest answer by Michael C. Fasching, MD
Question viewed 12,446 times
Tags: scar, surgery scar

I'm thinking of having a Tummy Tuck but am worried about the possible scar from the procedure. How can I minimize tummy tuck scars? Would laser treatments help? If so, should it be ideally done at time of procedure or after recovery?

16 answers to Treatment to Help Minimize Tummy Tuck Scar?

First Things First

Almost every procedure in Plastic Surgery involves trading a scar for the ultimate result. For most patients, if the scar can be minimized and placed in an inconspicuous location, the trade-off is very worthwhile. Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck scars are placed as low as possible above the pelvic brim, where they are typically hidden by undergarments and bikini bottoms. However, occasionally there may be some visibility of the scars, and they may stretch, thicken, or widen. There are... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Laser can help improve a scar, but will not make it disappear.

The scar from a Tummy Tuck procedure is a permanent scar. Many Plastic Surgeons use all dissolving sutures and special techniques to reduce the scarring and improve the final results. Some patients heal with a wide or discolored scar, even with good surgical techniques. Tummy tuck scars need to mature to improve in appearance. Usually, this is a minimum of 4-6 months, but can continue to improve up to 18 months later. If we notice that a scar is not improving as we want, laser can... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Usually not necessary

When the incision is done well and the skin is closed without tension at the edge, the scar usually fades very well. One way to avoid this kind of tension is called progressive tension suturing. If the scar starts to thicken and turn red, there is a type of laser that can help, or a similar technology called IPL (intense pulsed light).

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Best way to minimize scar from tummy tuck

It would be helpful to know about you and how you heal. Do you have a history of forming hypertrophic and/or keloid scars? Is your complexion olive or black? Women with a history of poor scar formation and/or hyperpigmentation after a scratch, etc. are more likely to have these same issues with other scars. Unless you have a history of this, your scar should fade to a white line and hopefully be flat. There are several things you can do to help your scars. If you have good... more

Tracy Pfeifer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Permanent scars are inherent to a tummy tuck procedure

As plastic surgeons, it is our intent and goal to minimize all scars. In the tummy tuck procedure, there are necessary incisions that ultimately will form permanent scars. You should know the location of the tummy tuck scars prior to the surgery, and accept that poor wound healing may occur. The quality of postoperative scars varies widely and is dependent upon many variables. By seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in body contouring procedures and tummy tucks, you... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Yes!

I typically allow the incision to undergo healing, with the use of scar prevention aids initially. If the scar has redness 4 to 6 months after surgery, laser can be an excellent aid. I currently prefer the use of intense pulse light treatment for this issue. Ultimately, it is most important to make sure you choose a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, to achieve the most desirable outcome. Your board certified surgeon will have a variety of options for you to... more

Julius W. Few, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Scars are permanent, but usually heal quite well

Anytime an incision is made on the skin, it creates a scar. Most cosmetic surgery incisions, if performed properly, will heal quite nicely, and there are several things that can be done to help minimize the chance at a bad scar. It's important to understand however that there is no guarantee that you will have a good final scar, and you may require follow up treatments in order to improve their appearance. A few things that can help a tummy tuck scar heal well: First, you need to have a... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Improvement in scars after a Tummy Tuck

Minimization of the abdominoplasty scars can be accomplished by many topical creams and lotions as well as fetal cell technology. Another product is Mederma which is purchased over the counter, but in fact, has no scientific basis for scar improvements in blind trials. Other options that are helpful are moisturizing the scar and this can vary from cocoa butter to arnica gel to shea butter.

Michael C. Fasching, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scars

There are many factors contribute to the final appearance of a scar after tummy tuck. For example, some patients are prone to develop keloid or hypertrophic scars despite the surgeon's best efforts. Some patients will develop superficial separations of the incision line, depending on the quality of the skin present (for example, stretched marked skin may not “hold” sutures as well as skin with normal thickness dermis). On the other hand, the... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Scars Following a Tummy Tuck

Every patient heals differently. When having a Tummy Tuck procedure you are trading excess skin/fat for a scar. It is your responsibility as a potential patient to determine which bothers you more, the skin./fat or the scar? Unfortunately we can not tell you what you scar will look like and how you will heal. Your well experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will be as meticulous as possible. Best wishes!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Most women are thrilled with tummy tuck inspite of the long scar.

Hi. 1) The first thing you need to do if you are having a tummy tuck is accept the scar. That's the trade off. 2) Good surgery is the best way to good scar. The scar needs to be very, very low, down by your groin. 3) And there are ways to minimize the scar after surgery, including lasers. Your scar will fade a lot, but it will not disappear.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty incision

The incision from an abdominoplasty usually heals very well. I usually have my patients wear steri-strips or paper tape for several weeks after surgery. Yes, lasers may help lighten the scar, but usually tummy tuck scars fade nicely on its own.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pulsed Dye Lasers and steroids can help with Tummy Tuck scar

There are two issues with a tummy tuck scar: color and texture. If you are light skinned, then the scar left after a tummy tuck is normally reddish in color. While this color does fade over time, using pulsed dye lasers can significantly speed the process. In addition, because the pulsed dye laser helps to reduce blood flow to the scar by closing small blood vessels, it can help to debulk (shrink) the scar more quickly than it would on it's own. Finally, steroid injections can also help to... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Yes, but you will probably not need the laser treatment

Hello, The best friend of a tummy tuck scar is time as long as the patient is healthy, doesn't smoke and follows direction. They tend to clean up rather well after six months to a year in my practice. I have not needed to do much scar revision work at least in my own tummy tuck clients.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck is a trade-off of shape for scar

Just as are breast reductions and lifts, a tummy tuck is a trade-off of significantly improved shape for the scar needed to get the benefit. I have never yet over thousands of tummy tucks had a patient say that they would rather trade the scar away and go back to where they were before the tummy tuck. Tummy tuck scars are easily hidden in most bathing suits and undergarments and dramatically fade between the 1st and 4th years post-op. Some massage and time are usually all one needs... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

I've never heard "I shouldn't have done this because of the scar"

Scars are an unfortunate, but necessary trade off in cosmetic surgery. There are ways to help minimize the effects of scarring, which your board certified plastic surgeon may recommend during the healing process. Laser may be one of the modalities that is used by your surgeon, but is by no means used in every surgeon's practice and has no strong evidence in the medical literature that it makes a significant difference. So, don't base your decision on whether or not to have surgery on the... more