Does the Tummy Tuck scar ever go away?

Question

So I sent my photos to a doctor in hopes that I get just get lipo, bbl and a breast augmentation however the doctor recommended a tummy tuck ☹️ I don't want a tummy tuck because of the scar plus it makes your belly button look a little weird

Alfred Sofer, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is difficult give any feedback based on the lack of photos. However, Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery aims to create an abdominal profile that is smooth and firm by removing excess fat and skin and tightening weakened or separated muscle. The scar is placed extremely low - approximately 7cm from the vaginal crease within the bikini line but will never disappear.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.If you are considering a cosmetic procedure it would be necessary and important for you to seek an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a physical exam and to discuss the options available to you.  While photos can often provide some insight, the best recommendation can only come from a thorough evaluation where your candidacy can be best determined.Scarring is always a risk when it comes to a surgical procedure (cosmetic or otherwise).  In most cases, these scars heal quite nicely into thin and faint lines, however, this can never be promised as scarring tends to be more genetic than anything.  With that said, scars will improve in appearance with time and many surgeons will often recommend specific scar treatments to help aid in this process (I recommend BioCorneum).  I hope you find this helpful and I wish you all of the best!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Best Scar Management is important to minimize or completely hide from view, the telltale signs of your surgery—namely, scars. Both you and your surgeon want you to have the most minimal scarring possible. There are many possible causes for scars that are enlarged or not healing well. Unsightly scars are most commonly due to genetics, underlying medical conditions, or improper scar/wound care. The last part is very important and patients can make a noticeable difference in their scars’ appearance by following best scar management practices. Here are some simple tips.
Scar Management tips:
Minimize tension on the scar. Steri-Strips and/or surgical tape are often placed in non-hair bearing areas at the time of surgery to minimize tension and keep pressure over the scar.  This minimizes the  stress that  can pull the scar apart (dehiscence) creating a wound and  delaying healing time, and can make the scar wider, or more “ropy”. In the first few weeks after surgery, I recommend the use of Embrace Scar Therapy which is an adherent silicone sheeting pre-stretched when applied so as to offload tension on the scar.Keep your incision site/scar clean to prevent infection. Follow your surgeon’s wound care instructions to the letter with out modification. Never apply different products then recommended without first discussing them with your surgeon. This is especially important during the first few weeks. If there are any signs of infection, contact your surgeon’s office right away and/or see your doctor or his nurse immediately. Typical signs of infection may include redness outside the immediate incision site, asymmetric swelling, and drainage, of pus, fever, chills, and “feeling sick”.Protect your scars from the sun. Staying out of the sun is the best advice. Minimal exposure to sunlight is prevents hyperpigmentation (permanently turning brown) and other problems that can make the scar more noticeable. Sunscreen, at least 30 SPF and an overlying make camouflage make up additionally protects the scar from the suns harmful rays. This advice is especially important the first year following your surgery.Use specific scar maturation products recommended by your surgeon. Patients seem to have their own opinions on this touting everything from Pure Vit E, Coco butter, to Aloe Vera, etc but most have minimal benefit other than keeping the scar hydrated. Although hydration is important there are better, scientifically studied products with greater efficacy. Most of the scientific articles written about this subject indicate that topical silicone gel or silicone sheets work the best. The best product available in my opinion is the Embrace Scar Therapy System by Neodyne BioSciences, Inc. available in many surgeons’ offices. Essentially this is an adherent silicone sheeting pre-stretched when applied so as to offload tension on the scar. For areas that are not applicable for this product (e.g. smaller areas or on the face), I prefer BioCorneum or Kelo-Cote products There are a lot of products to choose from, but silicone should be one of the key ingredients. Although Mederma, an onion extract derivative active ingredient rather than mainly silicone based may help, primarily silicone based products are better and many also contain other ingredients that may be synergistic (hydrocortisone or other steroid, Vitamin E, Sunscreen, etc).. If the reader has problems obtaining these they can call my office. Patient compliance is also critical – use often and according to directions or it will not work optimally. NEVER apply products without first discussing them with your surgeon.Monitor to make sure your scar is progressing optimally. Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to verify that your scars are maturing as expected.  Occasionally if indicated you may need a topical steroid preparation or even a series of  injections (5-FU and/or Steroids) or laser treatments  to treat or  prevent scar hypertrophy or keloid formation (red raised scars), or other topical medicines to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown scars) with prescription creams and possible laser treatments.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Scars improve a lot with time but do not disappear completely. Tummy tuck patients are generally very happy with the trade-off of a scar for the improvement that the operation gives.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Though surgical scars never completely go away there are steps that can be taken to try and minimize it's appearance over time.  Discuss this with your plastic surgeon so that you can be fully informed.  Also ask to see representative examples of mature tummy tuck incisions.  Hope this helps.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.   The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  A tummy tuck can be done through a low and short
incision, all completely below the bikini line. 
The belly button can be designed to look natural and have no scars on
the exterior.   Your muscles can also be
plicated resulting in a flat abdomen. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, scars are permanent and never go away. This includes the long lower and belly button scars. Ideally, they become pale and thin making them hard to see. An advantage of liposuction, especially if you want a BBL, is no big scars.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The trade off for a tummy tuck is the scar, though we have never had a patient feel that it was not a good trade.  Part of the art in plastic surgery is to make scars that are as hidden as possible, and the goal with a tummy tuck scar is for it to be a fine line that blends in well and is below the bikini line. We put Micropore tape for three weeks and then change to a scar care regiment of silicone and massage. We recommend massage with silicone gel twice a day starting three weeks after surgery. This is the best supported strategy in the literature, and has noticeable results on scar maturation.

Shain A. Cuber, MD · Answer

Unfortunately a tummy tuck will always result in a scar. However, if done properly by a board certified plastic surgeon, the scar will be placed below the bikini line and should fade gradually into a thin line. The belly button usually looks normal is the procedure is done correctly. The upside is that if you are truly a candidate for tummy tuck, the result will be much better than you can ever get from liposuction alone.