Will Tummy Tuck Scar Disappear Completely?

Hi Mandy82!Thank you for your question. The goal of a surgeon and wish of a patient is always a minimally visible, well-healed incision scar and "as lower as better" is a main rule when it comes to it's placement. However the way a Tummy Tuck scar will appear depends on a number of factors.If a skin needs to be resected only below the belly button, then a mini tummy tuck can be done, that means an incision beneath the bikini line.As for the typical abdominoplasty or " full Tummy Tuck", a scar will be low across the abdomen, from hip to hip, as well as around a belly button. Seldom, the skin above the belly button is not enough that a shorter vertical scar  will appear from the area where the old belly button used to be and a and a transverse scar. Prior to procedure all of these details should be discussed with a surgeon - surgery options, scar placement, healing and possible risks.We can not deny the fact that Tummy Tuck is a surgery which brings visible scar, the matter is why are some scars more noticeable than others. It depends a great deal on healing process, and also on skin quality and tension, tone and other factors. Nevertheless in most cases with good post op care and scar treatment started at 3-4 weeks after surgery, all the swelling is completely gone by 4 month,the scar becomes lighter in 6 month, and reminds a white thin line by the end of the first year.In my experience, Tummy Tuck is the surgery which brings the highest satisfaction to the patients, and they usually have very little concern about the scar.Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to make this issue revealed.

Manny, Congratulations on completing your tummy tuck. In general, I agree with the previous authors. For decades we have used silicone gel strips to hasten the flattening of the incision. For the umbilical incision, we have a couple bowls of half marbles that the patient wears over the belly button incision. It very inexpensive, readily available, and easily replaceable, if lost. Additionally, embrace has become the main stay of silicone gel sheeting because it minimizes stretch/tension on the wound.The incisions rarely completely fade away. They are usually visible to some degree (much like c-section incisions). One of the modalities that we have used with success in the Dermapen, a  minimally invasive micro-needling technique which flattens incisions on the face, breast, extremities, and torso.

Hello! Thank you for your question!  Your scars will be permanent once any incision/cut is made.  However, there are some scar modalities that you should discuss with your surgeon to obtain optimal results postoperativley.  After any surgical procedure, you should be careful with incisions as well as avoidance of direct UVA and UVB rays in order to lessen the chance for hyperpigmentation of the skin and scars, which can take several months to resolve, if it ever does. Sunblock of 35 or above is recommended regardless. The ability of the affected area to heal has been slowed and you should try to avoid additional swelling to the area. The area will likely be numb for several weeks to months and will be difficult to feel when sunburn is coming on. Typical recommendations include wearing a hat and/or sunblock to the affected area for at least 6-12 weeks following the procedure. It takes up to one year for scars to fully mature. You should also avoid trauma to the area for several months to protect the refinements made during the procedure. Also, avoidance of pools/lakes/jacuzzis/etc for 4-6 weeks is usually recommended to allow adequate healing and protection from stagnant water, that could potentially harbor bacteria. Lifting/exercise restrictions are common for at least 6 weeks. Certainly discuss the postoperative instructions with your surgeon, as thoughts differ among surgeons. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!