Scars After Body Lift, Will They Ever Fade?

I have performed a number of body lifts, I find that patients are so happy with the contouring results that they dont care about the scar. With a good cream and massage the scars can become less noticeable but will never go away. Trust me, if you have a dramatic body change your scars will not be an issue! GOOD LUCK

Dear Alexandra.Texas in Patterson,

Thank you for your question about the permanence of scars following a body lift surgery. It's important to understand that scars from any surgery, including a 360 circumferential lower body lift, arm lift, thigh lift, breast augmentation, or buttock lift, are indeed permanent. However, while they never completely disappear, they do fade over time and become less noticeable.
Minimizing Scarring:
Surgical Technique: Your plastic surgeon's method, including the type of sutures used and ensuring minimal tension during closure, plays a significant role in scar appearance.
Postoperative Care: Wearing a compression garment for 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery is crucial. It helps minimize swelling and supports scar flattening.
Silicone-Based Treatments: Applying silicone-based creams and silicone strips to the scars can be effective for up to two years. Silicone is medically recognized for its scar-minimizing properties and is superior to other products.
Scar Revision Techniques:
Scar revision involves replacing an old scar with a new, typically less conspicuous, one. Techniques include steroid injections, FU, dermabrasion, micro-needling, FRAXEL Laser, or surgical scar removal. However, these methods do not completely erase scars but can improve their appearance.
Trade-off Consideration:
Opting for a lower body lift involves a trade-off: exchanging excess skin for a scar. Many patients who undergo reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss report preferring the presence of scars over living with excess skin folds.
In conclusion, while scars from body lift surgeries are permanent, various techniques can effectively minimize their appearance, and they do fade over time. The decision to undergo such procedures often involves weighing the benefits of removing excess skin against the inevitability of scarring.
I hope this provides clarity on your concerns about scarring post-surgery.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

It's not unusual for patients to be concerned about scarring following lower body lift surgery. The scars from this procedure are potentially long and not easily hidden.In an effort to minimize scarring, a variety of maneuvers have been utilized. These include techniques designed to decrease tension on the wound closure. Examples include steri-strips, silicone scar sheeting and compressive support devices. Massage of scars with a variety of topical agents has been utilized in an effort to minimize scarring. In the occasional patient who develops hypertrophic scarring, steroid injections may be helpful, as well.it's important to remember that wound remodeling occurs at least 12 to 18 months following surgery. If significant scarring is present at this point in time, scar revision surgery may be indicated.If you're concerned about scarring following lower body lift surgery, it's important to discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to help you understand your potential for scarring.Body Lifyt Scarring

Thank you for your question. We routinely use the V-Beam to diminish scars, and it has proven to be very effective on reducing the scars. We also like to use silicone tape, and may revise the cars if needed. I hope this helps.

Congratulations on your weight loss.Following a massive weight loss, some patients are left with more excess skin than others. In a situation where you are not left with a large amount of excess skin and very droopy breasts and butt, a body lift/body contouring can be very helpful. Understand, that where ever you need skin removal and tightening, you will be left with a scar. A skilled plastic surgeon is able to hide the scars where they are least visible and make them as fine as possible, but never not leave scars.Ask your self, will you be happy in a new tight body but with scars, which you can cover with clothes, or will you be happier with no scars but a lot of loose skin?

Hello Alexandra

Congratulations on your weight loss!

Although the scars from the procedures you mentioned above are permanent, in general they should fade away to a fine whitish line over 1-2 years if done properly.

Your surgeon should have specific treatments should they get thick , turn red or dark.

Massive weight loss surgical patients are in general so happy with the final contour and shape of their new body that they don't mind the fine scars which they hide under their bathing suit.

Thank you