The length and size of the scar depends on the amount of skin that is removed from your abdomen. The more skin that is removed, the longer and wider the scar will be. It’s difficult to say exactly how long or wide a tummy tuck scar will be without seeing it in person. Some patients have scars that are as small as 1 inch long. Others have scars that are as large as 6 inches long.
If you’re concerned about how big your tummy tuck scar will be, talk to your doctor about what options are available to make it less visible. For example, if your surgery requires removing more than 3 inches of skin from your abdominal region, there may be an option for you to have a partial closure instead of a full closure, which could make things look better in the long run (though it will probably mean a longer recovery period).
Read on to learn more on How Big Is The Scar From A Tummy Tuck, Are Tummy Tuck Scars Permanent and What Happens To Tummy Tuck Scars Over Time?
How Big Is The Scar From A Tummy Tuck
Individuals who struggle with loose or sagging excess skin on the midsection may be candidates for abdominoplasty surgery, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. This cosmetic procedure removes excess fat, skin and tightens muscles in order to create a visibly smoother, flatter stomach and an overall improved silhouette. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, there are two main types of abdominoplasty procedures: a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck. While both procedures have similar goals, the primary appeal of a mini tummy tuck is its ability to tighten the skin and lower abdomen without creating a lengthy abdominal scar.
Mini Tummy Tuck Scar
During a mini tummy tuck, a slightly smaller incision is made low on the belly. In most cases, this incision is approximately 4-8 inches long, which is similar to the size of a C-section scar. Unlike a full tummy tuck, this incision can be hidden close to the pubic region, so it will be easily concealed beneath swimsuit bottoms and underwear. As a result, the scar is often undetectable. In addition, since a mini tummy tuck targets the lower abdomen, it does not require the revision of the belly button, so patients will not be left with any scars surrounding the belly button.
While the reduced scarring concern is certainly an advantage of the mini tummy tuck, it is important to be aware that a partial abdominoplasty only addresses the area below the navel, so any excess skin or protrusion above the belly button will remain following the procedure. This is why it is less common for a person to be well suited for a mini rather than full tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck Scar
Because a full tummy tuck addresses excess fat above and below the navel, while removing a significant, “apron” of skin, a larger incision from hip to hip is typically required. Although the resulting scar will be longer, a skilled surgeon will ensure that its strategic location helps to reduce its visibility. The advantage of this procedure is that the surgeon will have greater access throughout the surgery, which enables the correction of both the upper and lower abdomen.
Love handles and major sagging which can occur after weight loss or pregnancies require a wide incision for complete removal and smooth contours. During surgery, the overlying skin will be separated from the umbilicus and moved downward before a new belly button is created. Patients who undergo a full tummy tuck do have a small scar hidden within the new belly button.
While the size and placement of scars following the procedure should certainly be taken into consideration when determining which type of tummy tuck is best for you, this should not be the determining factor. The ultimate goal of both a full or mini tummy tuck is restoring your abdomen in order to achieve your desired silhouette. A qualified and experienced board-certified surgeon’s skill and expertise will help reduce the risk of scarring, while ensuring that you will be very pleased with your result.
Are Tummy Tuck Scars Permanent
It takes time to feel back to normal after tummy tuck surgery. Your stomach won’t be completely flat afterward due to post-operative swelling, and scarring is an inevitable part of the process. It is important to remember that tummy tuck surgery will leave a scar, but the intended results generally outweigh the disadvantage of this factor. Scars after a tummy tuck procedure will lessen in appearance during the recovery period, and begin to fade, so be patient.
If you are feeling anxious about your tummy tuck recovery and are concerned about scarring, read on to learn more from dual board-certified aesthetic and plastic surgeon Dr. Nana Mizuguchi at Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery in Louisville, KY.
How can a tummy tuck help you?
The primary goal of tummy tuck surgery is to achieve a flatter, smoother, and more attractive-looking stomach area. Almost everyone has something about their body they don’t like. Men and women in the Louisville, KY area struggle with their midsection and turn to body contouring procedures, like a tummy tuck, for help. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is one of the top five cosmetic procedures performed every year throughout this country. The right candidates who have concerns about sagging skin or unwanted fat in their stomach area can look to a full, mini, or extended tummy tuck procedure to reduce or eliminate these pesky issues.
What scars after tummy tuck surgery can you expect?
Scarring is the body’s natural way to heal from a wound or incision by forming new collagen fibers to mend the area. When compared to surrounding tissue, the new scar tissue is visibly apparent due to its unique color and texture. However, scars from tummy tuck surgery will fade in color and be more flesh-tone in appearance after a few months. There are also different abdominoplasty techniques that patients can consider. A mini tummy tuck is less invasive and requires a shorter incision below the belly button. The recovery and incision for a mini tummy tuck procedure are less than that of a more traditional abdominoplasty. A full tummy tuck incision extends from hip bone to hip bone, along with an additional small incision around or in the belly button. If liposuction is necessary, other smaller incisions are made in the target area to eliminate any excess fat.
What Happens To Tummy Tuck Scars Over Time?
Tummy tuck scars will vary by patient depending on what type of body contouring procedure they needed. No matter what kind of tummy tuck procedure you plan for, following your plastic surgeon’s aftercare instructions will help any incisions heal and give patients the best possible outcome for scars after tummy tuck surgery. In general, it takes about 8 – 12 weeks for patients to be mostly healed from their abdominoplasty. However, it can take up to a year, so patients who want to undergo a surgical procedure to minimize the appearance of any scarring should wait at least 12 months. It is also imperative to use sunscreen and keep any incisions out of direct sun exposure to allow scars from a tummy tuck procedure to heal properly.
Scars after tummy tuck surgery are inevitable, and even though they will fade, they won’t go away completely. A patient’s age, skin tone, and genetics also play a factor in how the body reacts to healing from any surgical incisions. Generally speaking, for the first month, scars from tummy tuck surgery are raised and red. They will slowly flatten and lighten in color. After about three months, the incision area(s) should be healed. After six months, a patient’s abdominal area should feel less tight, and scars should be faded in color, plus be smoother to the touch. Most patients can see their long-term tummy tuck results in about 8 – 12 months, with any scars from tummy tuck surgery being less dramatic and noticeable.