What is the Relation Between Fat, Scar Tissue, and Collagen?

Question

I had my son 6 weeks early and did have previous Liposuction on a small patch above my belly button, where scar tissue developed. I was waiting to see if it would burst into stretch marks, but it never did. Now that I will have Smart Lipo done, I'm curious--what is the relation between fat, scar tissue, and collagen? Is it made by fat?  I will post everyone if I decide to get pregnant in a year or two. A friend of mine had a tummy tuck and got pregnant she had and NO stretch marks.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

You describe what might be a hypertrophic scar from the prior procedure. This type of scar should not improve as a result of further liposuction, and in fact, could be stimulated by the procedure possibly and get worse.  Scars are made of collagen, a protein that you manufacture.  Fat cells are not related to collagen. Any procedure can induce collagen, though, and this helps the fat cells that remain contract together to some degree. Some people heal with excessive collagen, and the insertion scars, through which the liposuction cannulae are introduced, can develop into raised scars.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Scar is predominantly composed of collagen, a protein. This is a relatively inactive tissue which does not dramatically change once stable
Fat is a tissue which is composed of adipocytes. It is very active and can respond to weight gain and loss.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

First, if you just had a baby I would not have any surgery performed. You should wait at least a year.  The cause of stretch marks is unknown and probably genetic in nature.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Fat is a living tissue made up of cells specialized to store unused calories as fat.
All injuries heal by deposition of scar tissue, a biological glue which is constantly modified over a 8 - 12 month period after the injury / operation. But as stretch marks demonstrate it is permanent. You cannot permanently erase scars or remove it.
Collagen is but a component of scar tissue. It is produced by and deposited by scar cells (Fibroblasts) found in nearly all tissues.
When we say that something "produces collagen" it is a clever marketing way of saying the product causes an injury resulting in scar deposition.
Obviously the kicker is HOW MUCH ?  A little scar tissue UNDER (not in) the skin is not important and May even shrink the skin for a while, on the other hand a large injury (gunshot, scalpel, burn (Laser, Acid, or hot water) - ALL produce a LOT OF COLLAGEN. But, not exactly where we want it and how we want it.

John P. Stratis, MD · Answer

Fat in the human body is referring to specialized cells that accumulate and store fat as energy for future use. It is fairly soft and is what is removed with liposuctioning.
Scar tissue is what the body makes to heal injuries. It does have collagen as part of it. Scar tissue will be found in any area of injury including liposuctioned areas.
Collagen is a protein that is found naturally in the body in many areas inclusing aroud fat and in scar tissue.

What is the Relation Between Fat, Scar Tissue, and Collagen?

Answers (6)

Answer: Relationship between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relationship between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relation between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relation between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

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What is the Relation Between Fat, Scar Tissue, and Collagen?

Answers (6)

Answer: Relationship between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relationship between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relation between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

Answer: Relation between fat, scar tissue, and collagen

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Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.