What Is a Tummy Tuck?
If you’re worried about a bulge in your abdomen, a tummy tuck is an effective cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin and fat. During the procedure, a board certified cosmetic surgeon tightens the connective tissue and weakened abdominal muscles, leaving you with a toned midsection. An abdominoplasty helps you achieve a smooth, flat and contoured abdominal profile.
One side effect of a tummy tuck is the scarring that results from the incision. At Rowe Plastic Surgery in Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey and the Hamptons, the surgical team performs precise surgical procedures using leading-edge methods. Their individualized surgeries promote faster healing with less scarring.
What Scars Can I Expect After a Tummy Tuck?
You can expect a scar from any invasive surgery. In an abdominoplasty, your cosmetic surgeon has to make an incision to remove the excess fat and cut away the skin. That incision turns into a scar, but advanced surgical techniques help avoid highly visible scars. The scars may include a:
- Horizontal scar. The horizontal incision above your pubic area and below your belly button allows for removal of excess fatty tissue and skin from your abdomen. The length of scar varies, depending on the amount of tissue the surgeon has to remove.
- Belly button scar. If you have large amounts of fat and skin to remove, a full abdominoplasty may be your best alternative. During a full tummy tuck, your surgeon has to reposition your belly button for the best effect.
- Upper abdomen scar. In a reverse tummy tuck, the surgeon makes an incision just below the breast fold to remove fat and skin. The incision heals to leave a scar.
A scar is a minor side effect if you consider the life-changing benefits of a tummy tuck. The procedure improves your body appearance while boosting your self-image and self-esteem. An abdominoplasty can improve your quality of life, despite the scarring.
What Factors Affect Tummy Tuck Scarring?
Before you go ahead with an abdominoplasty, a board certified plastic surgeon makes sure your expectations are in line with what the procedure can accomplish. Scarring is one of the main topics during this discussion. How you heal affects the type and extent of your scarring. The factors that influence your tummy tuck scar include:
- Your age
- The type and size of your tummy tuck incision
- The quality of the abdominoplasty procedure
- Your genetics
- Your skin type
- Whether you smoke
- Post-operative complications, such as an infection
- Your body size
- The depth of the incision
- Your general health
- The quality of your aftercare program
- Your adherence to tummy tuck post-op instructions
The surgical team at Rowe Plastic Surgery in NJ and NYC has distinguished itself with safe and successful surgical procedures. They offer an effective aftercare program to promote fast healing and reduce scarring after a tummy tuck. The team performs a broad range of cosmetic surgeries that include:
Does the Tummy Tuck Procedure Dictate the Type of Scar?
Your plastic surgeon chooses the best tummy tuck procedure based on your desired results. While you can expect a scar after your abdominoplasty, it fades with time, especially if you follow the aftercare program. The type of procedure is the major factor in your tummy tuck scarring. The types of tummy tuck procedures include:
- A full tummy tuck. This procedure involves an incision from hip to hip, made above your pubic area and below your belly button. The plastic surgeon may reposition your navel while tightening your lower abdominal muscles. The scar is below your belt line.
- Extended tummy tuck. This is a cosmetic procedure to remove larger amounts of skin and fatty tissue. The procedure involves an incision around the width of your abdomen. It uses liposuction to remove the fatty tissue.
- Mini tummy tuck. This cosmetic procedure removes limited fatty tissue and skin in your lower abdomen. The doctor makes a short incision above your pubic area.
- Reverse tummy tuck. This tummy tuck procedure tones the upper portion of your midsection. The cosmetic surgeon makes one long incision below the breast folds or two small incisions underneath your breasts to remove the excess skin and fat.
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. This abdominoplasty removes excess skin after multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss. The procedure includes two incisions; the standard horizontal incision below your belly button and a vertical incision extending from your lower breastbone to your pubic bone.
At Rowe Plastic Surgery, your board-certified surgeon discusses the best incision for you, the expected results and the best way to recover from a tummy tuck. The team uses a customized approach to cosmetic surgery for faster healing and the best outcomes.
How Can I Reduce My Scarring?
After your tummy tuck, a scar is inevitable. But you can avoid extensive scarring through a variety of ways, including:
- Choose the best plastic surgeon: an experienced, board certified surgeon from a well-known practice. An experienced surgeon knows how to make minimal incisions and how to hide the scarring.
- Take care of your general health and well-being, including eating healthy food like fresh fruit and vegetables. Staying hydrated is good for your skin.
- Avoid harmful lifestyle choices, such as smoking, to promote faster healing.
- Take care of your wound, especially during the initial stages of healing in the days right after your surgery. Keep it clean and dry. The quality of care you give to the incision determines the extent of your scarring.
- Follow your surgeon’s aftercare guidelines carefully. The best cosmetic surgeons provide comprehensive post-op care instructions aimed at minimizing the appearance of your scars.
- Make all the follow-up appointments the staff at Rowe Plastic Surgery schedule for you. Your doctor checks your progress, changes the dressing and monitors your wound. If there’s a problem with your wound, your surgeon knows it’s best to catch it early.
- Consider post-op wound treatments that may include steroid injections, topical treatments and laser treatment to heal and fade the scarring faster.
- Avoid strenuous physical activities that put pressure on your abdomen. Don’t stretch or lift heavy objects. Avoid sexual activities for a few weeks. Give yourself time to heal.
- Monitor your wound for any signs of infection. If you notice anything unusual, let your doctor know immediately.
At Rowe Plastic Surgery, you can reach your doctor virtually during your recovery phase. Be patient for four to six weeks for your body to heal enough to see the full results of your procedure.
Your body has a huge impact on how you view yourself. Don’t let a distended abdomen, sagging breasts or pointy nipples stand in the way of your happiness. The team at Rowe Plastic Surgery in New Jersey and New York uses the latest cosmetic procedures to perform life-changing surgeries. Contact top doctors today for a wide range of cosmetic options.
Page Updated on Jun 19, 2023 by Rowe Plastic Surgery
