How To Manage Scars After A Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck is a type of surgery that flattens the patient’s abdomen by removing excess skin and fat. During the procedure, the surgeon also works to tighten and restore weakened muscles in the abdominal wall in order to create a smooth and well-toned abdomen. A tummy tuck surgery is typically performed on women who have given birth or people with dramatic weight fluctuations. While this procedure can be an effective solution for patients who feel insecure about their appearance, it can lead to curved or arched scarring at the surgery site. Here are some tips to help you manage the scars that may result from having a tummy tuck procedure.

Determine Best Treatment

First, you should identify the most effective form of treatment for your tummy tuck scars based on the type of procedure you had. There are three basic types of tummy tucks: mini, full and extended, and each one has varying results. A mini tummy tuck surgery is the least invasive, then the classic or full tummy tuck and finally, the extended tummy tuck is the most invasive and tends to produce the most significant scarring. For most tummy tuck procedures, you should begin to manage your scars at least a week after the surgery or once the wound bed has become dry. It is generally a good idea to ensure that the incision is completely healed before you begin to treat your scars in order to be safe and maintain the firmness and smoothness of your abdomen.

Use a Healing Cream

A reliable way to treat your scars is by applying a healing cream. The effects of this type of cream can address various issues that may arise as a result of scarring from a tummy tuck procedure. By facilitating scar remodeling and balancing the amount of collagen in the skin, tummy tuck cream can help your scars heal while providing your skin with essential lipids that were lost during the surgery. This cream can be used for many different types of tummy tuck surgery, including mini, full and extended surgeries. Regardless of which tummy tuck procedure you had, applying healing cream to the area of scarring can help improve the elasticity of your skin and enhance its appearance for a smooth and finished look. Many scar kits include cream as well as silicone sheets.

Apply Silicone Sheeting

Silicone sheeting is one of the most useful remedies for scarring after tummy tuck surgery. Similar to healing cream, silicone sheeting works to facilitate the healing process without disrupting the condition of your abdomen after surgery. Once the wound bed is dry, the sheeting can last up to a month and supports the wound (almost like a splint) in order to allow for a smoother healing experience. The sheets come in varying sizes based on the size of the surgical incision.

The material is also versatile, as it can be worn under post-surgical clothing as well as garments that have a tighter fit. It is recommended to combine the silicone sheeting with healing cream in order to produce the best results and ensure optimal healing for your tummy tuck scarring.

As you recover from tummy tuck surgery, you want to make sure that you are looking and feeling your best. Keep these tips in mind as you begin your journey towards healing.