Concerned about tummy tuck and lollipop incision scarring after mommy makeover - advice?

Question

Age 55 Healthy lifestyle, athletic build. Fair to medium tan. I enjoy topless sunbathing wherever possible. I am concerned about inverted T (lollipop) incisions leaving scars from the nipple to the breast crease. Will my scar ever become the same colour as my skin tone if I sunbath? Also does the tummy tuck require "360 degree liposuction", or what is the shortest tummy tuck incision?

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

Hi.  In any body contouring surgery procedure, there is always a trade-off between how extensive the surgical result can be, and what scars are necessary to achieve the goals.  Scars are permanent. In many people, the scars fade quite well, but are still visible if you know where to look. Some people do not scar well, and have much more obvious scars. They can be dark, wide, raised, or even painful, but this is not as common. Unfortunately, some of this is related to each persons’ genetics and is not completely under the control of the surgeon.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns before the surgery so that he/she can give an opinion about what you can expect. But if you are not willing to take the risk of potentially having visible scars, then it may be best not to have the surgery.

Benjamin Baker, BMBS MBA FRCS(Plast) · Answer

The inverted T or lollipop type scar patterns on the breast usually settle very well to fine line scars. However, you must protect the scars from the sun until they are fully mature, or you are at risk of hyperpigmentation (the scars become darker than the surrounding skin). Complete scar maturation usually takes around 18 months - avoiding sun exposure is advisable, and if this is not possible, then use a factor 50+ UV protection cream once they have completely healed. 
A tummy tuck are different procedures and can be combined or performed separately. The length of tummy tuck scar will be determined by the type of tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) that you require to achieve your desired results, and you would require a face to face consultation to determine this.

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Scarring is a common concern for individuals undergoing a Mommy makeover, particularly with procedures like tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and breast lift (mastopexy) that involve incisions. While some scarring is inevitable with any surgical procedure, there are several steps you can take to minimize and manage scarring after a Mommy makeover:

Choose a Skilled Surgeon: Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in Mommy makeover procedures can significantly impact the outcome of your surgery, including scarring. A skilled surgeon will use advanced techniques to minimize scarring and achieve the best possible aesthetic results.

Follow Pre- and Post-operative Instructions: Your surgeon will provide specific pre-operative and post-operative instructions to optimize healing and minimize scarring. It's crucial to follow these instructions closely, which may include avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding certain medications that can increase the risk of complications or interfere with healing.

Scar Management Products: Your surgeon may recommend using scar management products, such as silicone gel or silicone sheets, to minimize the appearance of scars after surgery. These products can help flatten and soften scars, reduce redness, and improve overall scar appearance.

Sun Protection: Protecting your scars from sun exposure is essential in preventing them from becoming darker and more noticeable. Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to the scarred areas and avoid direct sunlight, especially during the initial healing phases.

Massage Therapy: Gentle massage of the scarred areas can help improve circulation, soften scar tissue, and promote optimal healing. Your surgeon may recommend specific massage techniques to facilitate scar maturation and minimize scar visibility.

Give it Time: Scars will continue to evolve and improve over time, typically reaching their final appearance within 12-18 months after surgery. Be patient and consistent with scar management strategies, and remember that gradual improvement is expected.

Revision Surgery: In some cases, if scars are particularly bothersome or do not improve as expected, your surgeon may recommend scar revision surgery to improve their appearance. However, this is typically considered after the initial healing period has passed.

It's essential to have realistic expectations about scarring and understand that individual factors such as genetics, skin type, and the specific surgical techniques used will influence the outcome. Discuss your concerns and goals with your plastic surgeon during the consultation process to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs and minimizes scarring to the extent possible.

Saad Alsubaie, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

There will be always a scar . The shape, color and texture of the scar will depends on your surgeon, your body healing and scar care afterward. Most women heal nicely and the scar don't bother them. Regarding the 360 liposuction I will be able to answer if there are photos or if your plastic surgeon examine you and recommend it. Also depends on your goals.

Amir Sadr, MD, MSc (Plast), FEBOPRAS · Answer

Dear Thriving900776Thanks for your questions. The answer really depends on the time line after surgery. The scar undergoes transformation up to 12-18 months after surgery. During this time , you need to protect your scars from sun and UV as the exposure might result in hyper pigmentation (scars going dark). After this period of time generally scars would go flat and pale compared to surrounding skin. They might become very faint but they would always be present. Many women choose to camouflage them with foundation creams or even medical tattoos specially in darker skin patients. The need to liposuction after tummy tuck really depends on the issues the patient has. A patient with excess fat in flank (love handle) areas can benefit from liposuction to reduce that area. There are also very fit women with not much fat who can benefit from High Definition VASER Liposuction to get the best shape and contour. This group of patients can benefit from liposuction to improve the definition of their abdomens and waist line. I hope you find this explanation helpful.

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Without photos, it is hard for me to see what your scars look like. Scars take 1 full year to mature. It is best to keep scars out of the sun especially when healing because they can hyper-pigment. As for tummy tuck scarring, you will have an incision from hip to hip. A mini tummy tuck is aways an option depending upon how much skin laxity you have, which will be shorter in length. It is best to visit a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation to go over your questions and concerns.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry,  honestly no one can tell you the nature of how you will scar, but your own genetics and history of prior scars may be predictive.  Without pictures it is hard to advise on the length of incision you will need on your tummy tuck or if you will need liposuction. Best of luck.

Luis Eduardo Guerrero, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for your question abdout scars. The scars during the first months have redness, that is related to the inflammatory process, with time they almost match the skin color. Usually the darker skin scars tend to be more noticeable than the whiter skin. The sun exposure affects the healing process as well. The scar quality also depends on the surgical technique, the more tension you give to scar the more wider the scar will be. Another important characteristic is the genetic, there are some skins that tend to develop keloid or abnormal scars and there are body areas that develop keloid scars more frequently, like chest, elbows, jaw, ears. Tummy tuck incision will depends on how much extra skin you have, sometimes just central abdominal area, sometimes we have to extend to hips or sometimes in circular fashion.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Thriving900776,
scar prevention begins in the OR during the surgery when I meticulously close wounds in multiple layers in order to reduce tension and reduce scars width. I tape my incisions during the early postoperative period to reduce micromotions of the tissues so the incision can heal earlier. I also use compression garments and later Biocorneum gel.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Cagil Meric Erenoglu, MD · Answer

Hi, Thriving900776! Thank you for your question.
Sun exposure will cause dark scars in the first one year. The first year is important for the scar to mature correctly. Sun protection is extremely important during this time.
Tummy tuck is generally done with a 360 liposuction. The length of the tummy-tuck scar is determined with evaluation of your skin excess. Keeping the scar shorter than needed will cause suboptimal results.

Concerned about tummy tuck and lollipop incision scarring after mommy makeover - advice?

Answers (17)

More Mommy Makeover Questions

Pain with movement on right side of abs and left breast 6 months after tummy tuck and breast lift. What can be causing this?

Which procedures would help me achieve a bikini body? Getting different responses from providers. (photos)

Why do I still have so much extra skin 6mos post op? (Photos)

Layout and Time Frame for Mummy Makeover?

Forget mommy makeover - I need a granny makeover, how do I prioritize the work to be done?

Can a labiaplasty and mastopexy be combined? Should I have these done at different times?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS