C-section Scar and Tummy Tuck Scar. Do They Look the Same?

Question

I had a c-section about 9 months ago, and my scar is still really red, raised, and uneven. I remember right after my c-section I could feel my skin above and below the sutures overlapping. My question is will my tummy tuck scar be same way or will the scar be a thin line with no raised areas?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Scars mature over 12 months. They can be raised and will have some redness as they mature.  The use of silicone bandages can help with the raised portions and time will take the redness.  The overlapping feature is not a desired result of the skin and in the hands of a skilled board certified PS this should not be the end result.

	Dr. ES

Erez Sternberg, MD · Answer

Often times patient's scars will heal in similar fashion even when you cut out old scars and revise them. This is probably due mostly to our genetics. That said, there are certain factors that affect wound healing adversely,(like infection, poor surgical technique, bad suture choice, rough edges, radiation, etc..), and once those factors are removed the revised scar should heal much better.

	It sounds like your original c-section wound may have been closed with uneven edges. This could lead to inflammation and irritation. Once this heals, having a tummy tuck with a well performed wound closure will likely heal better, but nothing is for sure.  Good luck.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

Tummy tuck scars usually heal better than c-section scars.  Having done many tummy tucks on patients with c-sections scars, I have noticed that the c-section scar tends to heal "stuck down" to the muscle that has been repaired with the delivery.  When I perform a tummy tuck, I'm careful to place my incision right below the c-section scar so that I can remove that scar and any other scar tissue that has formed by the abdominal muscles.  I also spend a lot of time closing the tummy tuck incision to get the most inconspicuous scar possible.  This involves dissolvable stitches and skin glue (no staples.)  Even more, I review good scar therapy after several weeks of healing from the tummy tuck to give the best scar possible (fine, white line scar.)

Mennen T. Gallas, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck scar most likely will look different from your c-section scar, in that it will be longer. It is not possible to accurately predict if it will heal as a nice thin line or if it will become raised.  There are many factors that go into a scar's appearance.  In many cases, we excise the c-section scar in conjunction with the tummy tuck, so you won't have to worry about the poor appearance of the c-section scar at least.  Good luck.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Tummy tuck scars are almost always longer in horizontal length than c-section scars. They may or may not look better than a c-section depending on what how the c-section scar looks. In 'good-looking' c-section scars, the tummy tuck scar may not look quite as fine and discreet. In 'poor-looking' c-section scars, a tummy tuck scare will almost always appear better by being smooth and having no overlapping skin.

C-section Scar and Tummy Tuck Scar. Do They Look the Same?

Answers (8)

Answer: Scar appearance from different surgeries

Answer: Scar appearance from different surgeries

Answer: C-Section vs Tummy Tuck Scars

Answer: C-Section vs Tummy Tuck Scars

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C-section Scar and Tummy Tuck Scar. Do They Look the Same?

Answers (8)

Answer: Scar appearance from different surgeries

Answer: Scar appearance from different surgeries

Answer: C-Section vs Tummy Tuck Scars

Answer: C-Section vs Tummy Tuck Scars

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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