Patients often find tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, to be one of the most rewarding cosmetic procedures due to the transformative results it can provide to the midsection. Even with all of the benefits, it is very common to wonder what the scars will look like after surgery and if anything can be done to lessen their appearance. Our board-certified San Jose-area plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Okamoto, has expansive knowledge and experience with tummy tuck surgery and shares his insights below for what can be expected.
Since the goal of abdominoplasty is to remove the excess skin located in the abdomen and tighten the underlying abdominal muscles, it is necessary to create an incision that will allow for these changes to effectively result in a flatter, tauter appearance. In general, the incisions for a tummy tuck are made very low on the abdomen—from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. There is usually another, smaller incision created to free the naval (belly button) during the procedure, as well. Fortunately, this placement typically means the residual visible scarring can be mostly concealed when wearing undergarments, swimsuits, and other clothing. Therefore, abdominoplasty scars are generally not very noticeable to others in most circumstances.
During the recovery process, while the incision is healing, it will likely be pink, raised, and swollen at first, but in most cases, the tummy tuck scar should fade and flatten over time. Additionally, a silicone gel for scar healing, certain skin resurfacing methods, and other scar reduction or revision methods may be available to help diminish the appearance of more prominent scarring.
As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Okamoto strongly advises prospective patients to carefully select a highly-trained, board certified plastic surgeon to perform their tummy tuck procedure, as this can be the key to maximizing the potential for the most inconspicuous surgical results—and the safest outcome. These surgeons are generally better equipped to work meticulously and diligently with advanced surgical techniques to minimize the appearance of scarring as much as possible.
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Okamoto, please contact Fremont Plastic Surgery today.