What Determines Severity of the Tummy Tuck Scar?

In the various before and after Tummy Tuck photos, the scar seen on Tummy Tuck patients vary from severe to hardly noticeable. What determines the severity of the scar? Is it the skill of the surgeon, the healing ability of the body or the amount of excess skin that was removed?

Tags:

scar scar tissue

Comment on this

17 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (17)
Community Comments (0)

Tummy tuck scar quality is multifactorial

The quality of a tummy tuck scar depends largely on how the tummy tuck wound was closed. There area a variety of modern wound closure techniques that greatly enhance scar quality over the long term. These include the use of barbed suture (Quill) and absorbable dermal staples (Insorb). The other factor that effects scar quality is wound tension. Increased tension created thicker and wider scars. Modern tummy tuck techniques emphasize limiting wound tension. The last issue is scar position - a... more

What determines how my tummy tuck scar will look?

There are many factors that determine the final look of your tummy tuck or surgical scar. Most board certified plastic surgeons practice tension free closure. Other factors include your type of skin, the amount of skin elasticity, and genetics. It is important to have a good postoperative scar protocol including multivitamins, supplements, topical treatments, and massaging. Close follow up of your scars is important, as sometimes laser resurfacing or other laser treatments are... more

Scarring post-tummy tuck surgery

There are a number of factors that may affect the healing and appearance of a tummy tuck scar. Patient’s are required to refrain from smoking to prevent any wound healing issues. There are multiple factors that could affect your scarring, including your ethnic background, the quality of your skin and genetics. I try my very best to ensure the best and safest result possible intra-operatively to make the incision line as low as possible, hidden underneath the undergarment. The use of... more

Tummy Tuck Scars

There are several factors that are important in determining the appearance of scars. We, as surgeons, have some control over several of them and very little control over others. Proper skin tensioning, proper scar location and orientation, and maintenance of adequate blood supply to the skin edges are controllable. choice of type of closure and suture material is somewhat important but wounds can be successfully closed with a variety of methods that are really immaterial... more

Multiple factors

Assuming that you are seeing a qualified plastic surgeon who will pay attention to detail and perform a multi-layer closure, there are several "non-doctor" factors to consider with the quality of the scar. First, the quality of your skin to begin with and the amount of elasticity therein. Second, the degree of tension under which the closure is performed. Third, post operative scar management can make a difference. Ask your doctor about taping, scar creams,... more

How to get better tummy tuck scars

A beautiful tummy tuck scar is low enough to be concealed, pale, and narrow. All scars take time to mature and fade, so one of the most important things to keep in mind when looking at pictures of scars is how long after the procedure the picture was taken. Scars may be obvious early on, but almost invisible after a year. The best results also depend on limiting the tension on the edges when they are sewn together, and I believe the best way to do this is by using Progressive Tension Sutures... more

What determines the final appearance of a tummy tuck scar

The appearance of a tummy tuck scar depends on multiple factors. Your skin tone, ethnicity, nutritional status and your genetics is responisible for the majority of how your scar will look. The surgeon's technique and the tension under which the skin is closed also contributes to the final scar's appearance. Tummy tuck scars can take up to one year to fully lighten and soften, so patients should expect the scar to look red or maroon in color for the first several months. I... more

Scars have many root causes!

1- Genetics - some people are born to have a better scar. 2-Skin tension - more tension equals widen scars 3- Good technique - a technique (like the High lateral tension abdomenoplasty) pulls the tissue and tightens the skin through a deper layer called scarpa's fascia - this pulling from below takes the tension of the skin and scars heal better.

Factors influencing the appearance of tummy tuck scars

The appearance/outcome for tummy tuck scars is dependent on a multitude of factors including patient genetics, ethnicity, skin quality, skin tension, nutrition, physiological age, body mass index (relative obesity), smoking, surgical technique, incision design, compliance postoperatively, postoperative scar care, smoking, underlying medical conditions and activity level (whew!). For photos that are shown online, the greater the time period after surgery, usually the better the scars will appear. more

Tummy tuck scar

Your results from a tummy tuck scar are determined by multiple factors. Some may be the skill of the surgeon, the key being a tension free closure to allows maximum healing. There are other factors however that are uncontrollable such as one's genetics. Some people are just prone to not healing as well with red scars, dark scars, thick and raised scar amongst others. Be sure to go over this at length with your surgeon prior to your procedure.