If I get Embrace after Tummy Tuck, can I use them all over from hip to hip or just for the middle section?

Question

If I get Embrace after TT, can I use them all over from hip to hip or just for the middle section? I know there expensive, but Im more concerned with how my scar on my hips are going to look than anything. Thank you

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

Agree with my colleagues. Start applying Embrace from the middle of your incision because that is where the greatest amount of tension is. Typically, 2 sheets should cover the majority of the incision and the ends heal fine on their own. Good luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Tom S. Liu, MD, MBA · Answer

Embrace Active Scar Defense is a great scar solution because it addresses one of the main factors of scar formation - tension. It is most important to place the active scar device in the middle of your scar, where there is the most tension. However, it is beneficial to have Embrace placed on the entire scar so that the tension can be relieved along the entire incision. This can only help further diminish scar lines and promote healing. The number of strips needed depends on the length of your scar. It is important to address how to use Embrace with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck in your research!

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

We routinely recommend using Embrace all over the incision and so you might need 3 of the longest pieces to cover the entire incision. I continue to see really great results using this protocol! Best, Dr. Aldo

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

I am a big proponent of the use of Embrace scar therapy after tummy tucks.  I do think the relief of tension on the healing scar can make a significant difference in the final appearance of the scar.  Tension in a tummy tuck is greatest in the middle of the scar, so this is where Embrace will make the most difference.  My patients typically will use 2 sheets to cover the entire incision from hip to hip.  The most outer portion of the incision can be left uncovered and it will likely still heal well.

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

You can use the Embrace along the entire incision.   The product works by reducing tension on the incision as it heals. Therefore the most benefit will likely be gained along the central part of your incision where the tension is the greatest.  There is also some benefit to the silicone in the product which might help with scarring.  It can get expensive to treat the entire incision, so many practitioners will use the Embrace only in the central part of the incision where it is most effective.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

You can use the Embrace silicone sheets over your entire tummy tuck incision. The tension is greatest in the middle portion of the scar, so that's where the product will have the most impact. If you can get most of your incision covered with two strips be sure to include the middle portion. If an inch or two on the ends are not covered that's typically not an issue as the tension is lowest near the hips.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The purpose of the product is to reduce tension on the scar, which aids it in healing optimally.  For the tummy tuck scar the point of maximum tension is in the middle of the long scar, so that is where you would find the most benefit out of the product.  However, it will be helpful all along the scar line and is beneficial to use it along the scar length.

Kent V. Hasen, MD · Answer

When Embrace Scar Therapy first came out a few years ago, we started using them only in the center of the tummy tuck scar because that was where the greatest amount of tension was seen.  To our surprise, we found that the central scar turned out to be better than the lateral scar that had less tension, but no Embrace.  So from that point on, we have recommended to our patients to use typically 3 Embrace pads across the tummy tuck incision for a full 8 weeks to maximize the benefit from this scar treatment.  The results have been very impressive to both us and our patients.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD · Answer

Dear PDolphin,

You can use the Embrace on any scar you wish;
however, remember the principle is to relieve tension that would distract and
pull the incision apart so that you get a finer, tension-free scar. Clearly,
the greatest benefit is going to be in the center of the scar because that is
where the most tension is.

I hope this has been helpful.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

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