What can be used to keep the surgical incision of a tummy tuck flat and thin?

Hello!
First it is important to support the healing process in conjunction with your surgeon. I typically use moisture between surgery and first visit, and switch to tape to incision 1 week after surgery for several weeks, with Aquaphor to the belly button. Then I encourage moisture and massage, using products like Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter or Coconut Oil, twice a day. With scars that look like they might thicken I recommend Biocorneum which has silicone in it. 
Your surgeon should be active in your quest for the optimal scar! Best of luck!

Dear Kcunnin,
In addition to scar cream, I would recommend silicone adhesive strips.  Hope this helps and good luck!  

How a tummy tuck scar ends up has to do with a few factors such as surgical closure, skin quality and skin color.  We all (or should) close the incision in multiple layers.  Scarpa's fascia being the most important.  If tension is taken off the skin edges then the scar will be thin.  I use a "superglue" tape on the incision to take additional tension off of the skin edges.  After the dressings come off I recommend patients use anything with silicone.  Silicone is the only substance proven to help the appearance of scars.

Thank you for your question. Every surgeon has different post-op protocol and preferences. After steri-strips have come off of all the incisions I have my patients apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to clean the incision and remove any dried blood that may be left behind. After applying that ointment for a couple of days, I then have my patients switch to a silicone based scar cream that they apply a thin layer of twice a day up to the 6 month post-op mark. Some people do prefer to use silicone strips which are believed to flatten out the scars more aggressively/quicker than scar cream alone. Visit the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you're currently working with to figure out what his/her preferences are before moving forward with any treatment as they may have different post-op directions. Good luck and best wishes!

The only cream scientifically proven to reduce the thickening of scars is Solution for Scars.  This is available in the UK from Science of Skin.

I typically recommend patients use a silicone scar strip to be worn once steri strips come off 24hr a day except when showering.   These strips are very effective at minimizing the scar appearance.  Best of Luck
Raymond Jean MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon  Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia PA 19010

thank you for your question. There is a product called “Bio-oil” which is excellent in the process of healing of scars in general. Best of luck