Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,301 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,735 people and 863 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Will the Thickness of Tummy Tuck Scar Tissue Soften and Become Less Ugly?

asked 8 months ago by Madison5269
Latest answer by Michael A. Fiorillo, MD
Question viewed 526 times
Tags: scar tissue, softer, thickness

Hi! I had my tummy tuck 4/8/11 - 5 months ago. Although I am very happy with the results, I notice that my scar in some areas is thicker than I have seen on other women. I know it takes over a year to heal, but I am wondering if I am always going to have such a thick ugly scar. The thick part will be hidden in my bikini. I will take the scar over my old saggy tummy, but wonder if you have any advice? Thank you!

8 answers to Will the Thickness of Tummy Tuck Scar Tissue Soften and Become Less Ugly?

+2

How about some tape...

This is indeed a hypertrophic scar. I agree with the other surgeons that time is the best treatment. Often after a year or two a scar like this will become much more acceptable. I would suggest that steroid tape is easy to use and much less painful than steroid injections, when it works. You could ask your physician if they have experience with these tapes an find them beneficial. One brand name is "Cordran Tape," but the brand is unimportant. Enjoy your... more
Daniel Sherick, MD

Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

www.cprs-aa.com

+2

Scar Gel May Help Hypertrophic Tummy Tuck Scar

I have my patients who tend to develop hypertrophic scars use a silicone-containing scar gel or strips and they usually are beneficial. If they do not lead to resolution of the hypertrophic scars or have an incomplete efeect, then there are medications which can be injected directly into the scar which generally are efficacious. I use a combination of steroid and 5-FU.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+2

Improving scars after tummy tucks

There are a few thing you can do to improve the appearance of the scars after a tummy tuch or really any plastic surgery procedure: Be patient. Scars can take up to 12 months to mature and almost always look better over time. Scar massage. Taking 5 minutes twice a day to rub and massage your scar with you fingers can help soften and move along the maturation process. Sun protection. Scars are more sensitive to UV radiation from sunlight or tanning beds.... more
Adam Hamawy, MD

Westchester Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck scars

Yes, tummy tuck scars usually get better with time.. sometimes taking longer than 1 year. Sometimes steroid injections help. Sometimes just being patient is the best thing to do. I think you have a good attitude about the scar being hidden and that you will take a scar over the "old saggy tummy"..
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+2

Abdominoplasty, thick scars

It looks like you have some scar hypertrophy (not a keloid). This virtually always gets better to an unpredictable degree but can take up to 2 years or longer. Some people make this type of scar virtually all the time, but in others it may be partially a reaction to tension on a scar and there is plenty of that after a tummy tuck.. For now I would consider steroid injections.Iit often takes more than one injection and they are done every 6-8 weeks. They will eventually soften and fade the... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+2

Tummy tuck scars

While scars do keep maturing over time (a year or more), it looks like yours is hypertrophic. Steroid injections into the scar may improve it - I would followup with your plastic surgeon to talk about this.
Michelle Spring, MD

Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Scars

The Tummy Tuck Scar can fade up to a year, in some cases it may be a little longer, every case is different. I recommend my patients use a good scar care creme and massage the scar gently but firmly two times a day for 10 minutes.
Michael A. Fiorillo, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thick Tummy Tuck Scar

Although it's a bit difficult to tell from the pictures I think you have a hypertrophic scar. If the current scar is within the boundaries of the original scar, is raised, firm, red to brown and may occasionally itch, burn or otherwise cause discomfort it is likely a hypertrophic scar. This scars typically show up 4-6 weeks after the surgery and are more common in moderately dark skin, such as Asians and Hispanics. I am quick to treat these with intrascar injection of... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question