Scars After Tummy Tuck: Advice and Tips for Patients By Patricia Berbari on August 29, 2019

Tummy tuck incision locationsIf you’ve lost a lot of weight or given birth, you’re bound to experience a lot of loose skin around the lower abdomen. Undergoing a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can remove the loose skin and help smooth away stretch marks. It’s a body contouring surgery that Dr. Patricia Berbari has performed on countless patients in the Gatineau, QC area.

Tummy tuck patients often ask our team about post-surgical scarring. Let’s take a moment to consider the location of surgical incisions and offer a few tips on caring for your incision sites and scars.

Where Are Incisions Made During a Tummy Tuck?

During a traditional tummy tuck, the following incisions are typically made:

  • A circular incision around the navel
  • A lateral incision along the lower abdomen spanning from one hipbone to the other
  • A vertical incision along the lower abdomen connecting the previous two incisions

This anchor-shaped incision technique allows plastic surgeons to revise underlying structures of the abdomen and remove loose skin.

Variations on the Traditional Tummy Tuck Technique

Sometimes fewer or less extensive incisions are necessary to achieve the body contouring results that patients seek out. Extended tummy tucks involve lateral incisions that begin at the back of the hips, while mini tummy tucks may only involve a relatively small lateral incision along the lower abdomen.

How Long Does It Take Surgery Scars to Fade?

Surgical scars can take several months to fade, and more likely years. In the first weeks after surgery, the scars will be most pronounced and visible. In the months after the tummy tuck, patients should notice their scars fully heal and begin to fade. Over the years, the fading will continue.

While surgical scars may not totally disappear, our Gatineau tummy tuck patients should know that the scars are easily concealed by many tops and one-piece bathing suits.

Tips for Surgical Scar Aftercare

When it comes to preventing serious scars after a tummy tuck, we recommend the following:

  • Avoid smoking before surgery
  • Continue to avoid the use of tobacco products after the surgery is completed
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity after your tummy tuck
  • Do not touch or scratch your incision sites or scars
  • Change surgical dressings and wear surgical support garments
  • Follow bathing and showering instructions closely
  • Cover up incision sites from sun exposure to avoid tanning and sun damage
  • Eat healthy and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight
  • Use a good moisturizer after you bathe or shower for healthy skin

Will I Need Professional Scar Revision Therapy?

Generally, tummy tuck patients at our Gatineau cosmetic surgery centre do not require professional scar revision therapy. Proper post-op aftercare will usually help scars fade. During the consultation process, we take time to consider the potential for keloid scars and upraised scars, and how to adjust incision locations and alter surgical techniques as needed.

If patients do have issues with prominent scars after their surgery, we can discuss various methods of scar revision. Over-the-counter products can help reduce the prominence of scars. Cortisone injections and more advanced scar removal procedures can also be considered as needed.

Contact Dr. Patricia Berbari

To learn more about tummy tuck and how it can help you achieve a slimmer, trimmer frame, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic plastic surgeon. The Centre Chirurgical De La Capitale can be reached by phone at (819) 243-7667.

Related to This

Dr. Berbari

Centre Chirurgical De La Capitale

Dr. Patricia Berbari offers plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures to treat a variety of conditions. 
Our board-certified plastic surgeon is affiliated with a number of medical societies, including:

  • Collège des médecins du Québec
  • Association des spécialistes en chirurgie plastique et esthétique du Québec
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Canadian Laser and Aesthetic Specialists Society
  • International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

To schedule a consultation, call us at (819) 243-7667 or contact us online today!

Contact Us Today

 





Dr. Berbari is an excellent
doctor — the best there is.
Carol, Plastic Surgery Patient

Rate, Review & Explore

Social Accounts Sprite
Google map image of our location in 555 Boulevard de la Gappe  Gatineau, QC

Gatineau Office

555 Boulevard de la Gappe
Gatineau, QC J8T 8N7

Closed Today

Tell us a bit about yourself...

(819) 243-7667 Send a message