Healing after abdominoplasty over time
Abdominoplasty is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened muscles, resulting in a slimmer and smoother abdominal profile.
Probably one of the most common questions about abdominoplasty is how the scars will look. In this post, we will discuss scars after abdominoplasty and what to expect after the procedure. In general, scars will fade like other scars after surgery. A good example that most women can relate to, or have a friend they can ask, is a C-section scar.
Where are the scars after abdominoplasty?
Regardless of the type of abdominoplasty, whether it is a mini-abdominoplasty or a full abdominoplasty, scars will remain. The exact location of these scars depends on the type of procedure. Below is a basic summary of scars after abdominoplasty.
Pelvic area
After a tummy tuck there is a scar that runs horizontally across the abdomen from the hip to the thigh. The scar is located below the navel and above the pubic bone. The length of the scar depends on the type of abdominoplasty surgery.
Around the navel
The scar does not always run around the navel; this is usually the case with a full abdominoplasty. Although it is very noticeable at first, over time it blends into the abdomen and becomes less noticeable.
Vertical scars
Although in most cases abdominoplasty is performed horizontally, sometimes vertical incisions are also necessary. This leaves the patient with a vertical scar along the midline (referred to as a “tummy tuck”). Vertical incision lines are necessary when the patient has a lot of excess skin in order to lift it more effectively.
Uneven scars
Some patients may be left with uneven scars, but this is rare. Uneven scars are caused by excess collagen and include:
– Hypertrophic scars: raised and redder than the affected tissue.
– Keloid scars: form beyond the original wound site (usually genetic patients know if they have a predisposition to develop this, based on a history of previous scarring).
The healing process
The healing process after abdominal surgery is not something that can be discussed in general terms. Many factors that affect healing are specific to each patient. These include age, genetics, smoking, severity of infection, size and depth of the wound. Your overall health and well-being also influence how quickly scars heal and fade. The following is a general description of the healing process after abdominoplasty in its various stages.
Immediately after surgery
The scar looks red and tender. Swelling, inflammation and some bleeding are typical at this time. To avoid infection, the scar should be kept clean and bandaged.
One month later
One month after surgery, the scar becomes dark red or brown, depending on the skin tone of each patient. It is normal for the scar to be slightly raised, swollen and with some lumps at this stage. It should be noted that the operation has only been performed for one month.
Two months later
After two months, the incisions should be completely healed. They will leave long scars that will be visible for several months. The scars may be red or purple in color and slightly raised. As they heal over the next few months, the scars may swell slightly.
Three months later
Three months after surgery, the scars are still red. At this time, the swelling, swelling and inflammation begin to subside. The scar appears flatter.
Six months later
It is quite natural to notice that scars are still visible even six months after surgery. At this point, the scars gradually lose their pigmentation. This means that there will be no noticeable red color and you will be able to see the scar fade. Instead, your scar may be pink or a subtle brown color.
One year later
At this point, most patients have fully recovered. The swelling has completely disappeared and the scar has reduced considerably.
How to make scars less visible
Scars after abdominal surgery are inevitable. Your skin needs to heal first. Although the scars may not disappear completely, they will fade over time. However, there are some helpful things you can do to make the scars less noticeable and to speed up the healing process. These include the following:
– Follow your plastic surgeon’s recommendations – After surgery, your plastic surgeon will instruct you on how to care for your incision and scar. Strictly follow these recommendations.
– Moisturize: use a moisturizing cream that nourishes the skin to “soften” the scar and make it blend in easily with the rest of the skin. Whether you use a moisturizer, cream or silicone gel, be sure to start when the cut has healed, i.e. when there is no crust left.
– Injections: Steroid injections and dermal fillers are an effective method of repairing scars after abdominal surgery.
– Tattooing: the easiest way to make scars less noticeable is probably to get a tattoo, but this can be done after the skin has completely healed.
– Avoid sunburn: UV exposure causes scars to darken and thicken. Avoid sunburn on scars (i.e., make sure they are covered by the bikini bottom).
– Avoid irritating clothing and products: products with harsh formulas and clothing made of uncomfortable and irritating fabrics can cause redness and make scars visible.
– A healthy lifestyle: in the long term it is best to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and trying to keep weight within limits.
– See a surgeon: a board-certified plastic surgeon can recommend laser procedures to make your scars less visible.
Abdominoplasty is a very popular plastic surgery procedure that people choose to achieve a slimmer profile, look good in a bathing suit and feel more confident. Scars are normal after this procedure, but there are several factors that affect the healing process and how quickly they fade. Follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions to make them less noticeable.
