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What Corrective Methods Are Available to Avoid a Tummy Tuck Scar?

asked 5 months ago by anon
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 120 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, prevention, scar, technique

Should I be consulting surgeons also based on their track record on how well they minimize scarring?

12 answers to What Corrective Methods Are Available to Avoid a Tummy Tuck Scar?

All tummy tucks will leave a scar

There are ways to minimize the scar from a tummy tuck however it is not possible to have an invisible scar from any type of surgery. If the scar is closed under minimal tension the scar has less chance of widening or becoming thickened. There are also some very good silicone gels and tapes available to help decrease the appearance of the scar. Remember the scar can take up to one year to completely heal and fade.

William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

Scar prevention after tummy tuck

Thank you for your question. All surgeries with incisions result in a scar, including TT. What you don't want to get is an unsightly scar. Vigilant care of your scar with scar massage, silicone sheeting and following the recommendations of your surgeon should help give you the best scar possible.It is a mistake to go for a shorter scar at the expense of a pleasing contour. Good luck.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Scars after tummy tuck

Unless you scar really badly, do not sacrifice a great contour for a shorter scar. Usually abdominoplasty scars can be put way down in the bikini area where the sun don't shine and most scars get better over time. I have my patients tape their incisions until the scars are faded. Early in my practice, I would really try to limit the length of the scar if the patient was really concerned and I think I compromised the contour in some patients. Also, I sometimes... more

Lisa L. Sowder, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.sowdermd.com

Hiding or minimizing the Tummy Tuck Scar is an important and crucial part of your decision to have Tummy Tuck

Yes, you should inquire and ask about the appearance of scarring after Tummy Tuck and be sure you consult more than one Plastic Surgeon. It would be very sad to go through surgery to remove loose abdomninal skin and then be left with scars that make you want to hide your tummy at the beach. Modern Tummy Tuck techniques allow for placement of the incision below the Bikini Line in most patients who do not have very excessive skin following Gastric By Pass. I believe the most... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Making the Best Scar For a Tummy Tuck

Although there is no way around a scar with a tummy tuck , it is important to have the best scar possible. To start with, it helps to have an understanding with your surgeon about where your scar will be positioned and how long it is. A short scar sounds good, but may compromise how tight the tummy tuck can be. Next the surgeon chooses a strategy for how to get the best quality scar. A multi-layered closure distributes tension across multiple planes of the closure and... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scar and relevant issues

Your question about a tummy tuck is a little ambiguous. If you are seeking a tummy tuck and need one then it is impossible to perform the procedure without a scar. As long as there is an incision, there will be a scar. The resultant appearance and aesthetics of the scar would depend on multiple issues including location, length, design, surgical technique, genetics, skin type, activities, etc. Obtaining standardized metrics in order to assess one physician versus another is... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Scarring after abdominoplasty

When consulting with different board-certified plastic surgeons, you should always consider the appearance of post-operative scars - are they symmetric , in a position easy to conceal, thin, etc. It is very important to remember, however, that different people scar differently, and different parts of the body (on the same person) can scar differently. You cannot predict how your abdominoplasty scar will turn out based upon any other scar on your body. The position of an... more

Craig S. Rock, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Minimizing Tummy Tuck Scar

Absolutely consider scar location, symmetry, configuration, size, and appearance when selecting your surgeon. As perhaps the chief disadvantage of abdominoplasty, concealing the inevitable scar is of critical importance in the quality of your final result.

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Tummy Tuck Scar

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, it is not possible to undergo tummy tuck surgery without a scar (or an invisible scar). Plastic Surgeon's generally use techniques to minimize the scarring as much as possible but the resulting scar has as much to do with the technique as the way the patient heals. Scars can take up to 12-18 months to fully heal after surgery. I recommend a scar treatment that has a combination of steroid and silicone in it and... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Avoiding a Tummy Tuck scar.

There is no way to avoid a tummy tuck scar or a scar from any procedure that involves an incision. As plastic surgeons, we try to minimize scarring with a variety of techniques and place scars in inconspicious areas. The type of scar produced is as much a product of the particular patient as it is the technique of the surgeon. Your best bet would be to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in body contouring surgery that you feel comfortable with and... more

Stephen Delia, M.D.
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty Scars

Unfortunately, any type of surgery leaves a scar. For several years in my practice we have used internal flap advancing sutures which have significantly reduced the tension on the external scar that you see and help it to be a more delicate scar. There is also the added benefit of getting the drain out earlier and reducing the incidence of seromas.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

Tummy Tuck Scars Are Variable

No one can perform a tummy tuck without a scar. Scars do vary a good bit from person to person. The scarring is probably more dependent on the patient than the surgeon as different people make different scars. Your plastic surgeon can advise you about things that you can do and products that you can use to increase the chances of having an acceptable scar.