According to the American Psychological Association, 40% of US adults will experience weight stigma during their lifetime.
Gallup also reports that 64-83% of overweight Americans are dissatisfied with their weight. Even 33% of people at healthy weights lack confidence in their appearance!
A tummy tuck can help you regain your confidence and feel good about how you look. Before you invest in one, understanding how to minimize tummy tuck scars and streamline healing is important. Read on for comprehensive information about post-surgery care and tummy tuck recovery.
Tummy Tuck Scars: What to Expect
Since there are multiple types of tummy tucks, scarring will vary from person to person.
Those who get traditional tummy tucks can expect:
- A hip-to-hip horizontal incision
- Scarring just above the pubic area
- A second incision near the navel to get rid of excess overlying skin
- Excess skin removal after abdominal muscle tightening
Many people also get liposuction with tummy tucks, which can add more scarring.
Mini tummy tucks are for those who are only worried about altering the area beneath their belly button. While this is not ideal for most clients, the shorter incision means less scarring. There aren’t any scars around the navel, so scarring isn’t as visible.
Extended tummy tucks are for clients who need more contouring on their flanks and lower backs. The ‘flank’ is the fleshy part of the body between the hip and the side of the ribs. An extended tummy tuck minimizes fat in the abdominal area, but the incision must extend around the flanks, too.
Tummy tuck scars are permanent. However, they do heal up and fade in three stages.
Incision Closure
When you finish surgery, you can expect the skin around your incision to be raised. It will likely be thin and white right after you get out of surgery. They likely won’t be visible because of surgical dressings that cover the surgical area.
The ‘closure’ stage lasts anywhere between three and four weeks. Your wound will be:
- Tender
- Bruised (usually lightly)
- Potentially swollen
During this stage, it’s important that you dress and care for your wounds properly. This means:
- Wearing compression bandages or clothes to decrease swelling
- Cleaning out the incision as directed by your surgeon
- Using surgical drains to remove fluid as instructed
This is when your incision is most prone to infection, so taking care of it is a must.
Establishment
After the first few weeks, the surgical scars close up. The ‘establishment’ stage of tummy tuck healing begins. This stage heals up the incision fully and takes about three to six months.
Collagen, a protein that makes up your body’s skin and muscles, starts to replace dead skin cells. This protein is also responsible for making your skin stronger and helping it retain structure.
This collagen promotes healing by sending more blood flow to the wound. This makes the scar darken to colors like:
- Red
- Blue
- Purple
It will look worse, but the incision is actually getting better. The skin becomes thicker over time.
Maturity
After enough collagen gets to the wound site, the proteins start to break down. This makes the blood flow return to normal.
This stage can last for anywhere between one and two years. When the scar matures completely, it will be:
- Thin
- Light in color
- Flat (not raised)
- Almost imperceptible
This won’t happen immediately. The improvement will come over time. However, it will probably start to improve at about six to eight months after your tummy tuck.
How to Minimize Surgery Scars
Fortunately, you can take action to expedite tummy tuck recovery and minimize surgery scars. You’ll get instructions from your surgeon after the operation. Some things to do include:
- Check wounds for signs of infection daily
- Keep incisions clean
- Change dressings regularly as instructed
- Use appropriate antibiotics and ointments
- Getting help at home for a couple of days
- Walking as soon as possible to decrease swelling
This is far from a comprehensive list, but it will stop infection and reduce swelling. This means the wound can heal faster.
Follow-Up Visits
Your surgeon will schedule several follow-up appointments with you at different stages of the recovery process. It’s critical that you attend all of them.
At these visits, you’ll get:
- An examination of the scars to make sure they’re healing properly
- Tips and tricks for minimizing pain and speeding up recovery
- Topicals and prescriptions that will help you recover better
- The chance to ask questions and learn more about recovery
Rest for Recovery
Your body will also heal more quickly when you take care of it properly. This means getting a lot of rest in the days after your surgery happens.
Stay in bed for a couple of days with supportive pillows. This will stop you from straining the surgical site.
Minimize your pain with prescribed medications. Ice packs can also give you some temporary relief.
While sitting in bed, distract yourself with a favorite show. Watching something comforting can make the initial recovery feel shorter and less daunting.
Topical Treatments
Ointments that include antibiotics stop infection. However, after the ‘closure’ stage of healing, you may also want ointments that include:
- Vitamin E
- Waterproof silicone
- Softening chemicals to loosen your scar tissue
Silicone patches and scar tape also work wonders when making dark and raised scars lighter.
Healthy Eating
Wound healing also depends a lot on your body getting the nutrients it needs to produce collagen and similar proteins.
Opt for fruits and veggies as well as whole grains. Lean meat and healthy fats also support immune function and wound healing.
Tissues will regenerate faster when you eat right!
Invest in a Sacramento Tummy Tuck Today
Now that you know how to deal with tummy tuck scars and make recovery easier, it’s time to learn more about cosmetic surgery that can boost your confidence.
At Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Hause and his team are committed to helping clients feel more secure and confident in their bodies. We offer quality tummy tuck procedures and are happy to offer scar treatment options to those who undergo these surgeries.
Contact us to learn more about post-surgery care and what options are available to you.
