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Tummy tuck scars are one of the major drawbacks of abdominoplasty cosmetic surgery. The extent of scars depends on the extent of the surgery that is performed. Tummy tuck scars are much less extensive with a partial or lower tummy tuck than they are for a full tummy tuck. Tummy tuck scars are permanent but are generally concealed under a bikini or other clothing. With healing, it is normal for tummy tuck scars to actually get worse three to six months after surgery before they get better. After nine months to a year, scars will flatten out and lighten in color.

 

Will my tummy tuck scar be visible?

 

Tummy tuck scars from a full abdominoplasty will extend from hip to hip in the lower abdominal region and will also be visible around the navel region. Two incisions are made during the procedure. The first is the horizontal incision and the second circles the belly button. These incisions are made to remove the excess skin and fat from the stomach region, tighten the abdominal muscles, and reposition the navel.

 

In a partial abdominoplasty, also called a mini- or lower-tummy tuck, scars will be less extensive. Tummy tuck scars from this procedure are in a horizontal line below the belly button and do not include a scar from repositioning of the navel. Partial abdominoplasty is performed to remove the excess skin and fat in the lower abdominal region and do not involve repositioning of the navel though its position may change due to the stretching of the skin.

 

In addition to tummy tuck scars, swelling and bruising commonly occur after surgery. Bruising and swelling can last two weeks to a few months following surgery. These side effects can be mitigated by following all post-surgery instructions including the use of compression garments and allowing adequate healing time. In order to reduce the severity of tummy tuck scars and other side effects, it is important for a patient to refrain from smoking cigarettes, taking aspirin products, and other measures that can compromise successful healing tummy tuck scars.

 

Scar less Tummy Tuck

 

While there is no truly scar less tummy tuck procedure, there are techniques that can be employed by a plastic surgeon to reduce the size and visibility of scars. All tummy tuck procedures require that an incision be made in the abdominal region in order to excise undesirable fat and skin and tighten the abdominal muscles.

 

There are two major types of procedures that are available to patients who wish to enhance the shape and contour of their midsection:

 

The traditional complete tummy tucks surgery

The lower or mini-tummy tucks procedure

 

The mini or lower abdominal tummy tuck procedure is often referred to as a scar less tummy tuck because the scars are smaller and less visible than those associated with the traditional procedure.

 

The scar less tummy tuck procedure is most effective in enhancing the appearance and shape of those individuals with fat deposits limited to the lower abdominal region. With a scar less tummy tuck procedure, the incision that a surgeon makes extends vertically across the lower abdominal area, and is easily concealed under a bikini or underwear after the surgery is completed.

 

The scar less tummy tuck procedure poses a lower surgical risk to patients. On average, the surgery is completed in an hour or two. The shorter time period that a person is under anesthesia correlates with a lower risk of some surgical complications. Scar less tummy tuck procedures can be performed under a general anesthetic or a local anesthetic plus a sedative. Once the scar less tummy tuck surgery is completed the patient is usually released from the medical facility to recover in the comfort of his home.

 

During the first four to six weeks following surgery, most patients experience some degree of:

 

Pain

Tenderness

Swelling

Bruising

More serious complications are rare, but can include:

 

Infection

Bleeding

Skin necrosis

Slowed healing

 

It is vital to a scar less tummy tuck patient's wellbeing to follow all after-surgery care instructions provided by the surgeon. Smoking after surgery is strongly discouraged, as this can delay the healing process and result in larger and more prominent scars. Your plastic surgeon will discuss all of these concerns with you prior to surgery in order to mitigate the risks of scar less tummy tuck surgery.