How can tummy tuck scars be improved?

Information

Surgical site

• surgical site :abdominoplasty, M-type, Triple lock, Navel Correction, abdomen liposuction, love handle
• liposuction aspirate volume : 1800cc

A tummy tuck is a major surgery, and since it takes a long time for scars to fade, many patients hesitate before making a decision.

Loose and sagging skin is not just a cosmetic issue—it can also affect one’s quality of life.

However, if you carefully consider your options and consult with an experienced specialist, this surgery can help restore confidence.

Since many patients are concerned about scarring, it is essential to have a structured post-surgery care plan and understand the appropriate treatment methods at each stage of recovery.

Let’s take a look at a case of a patient who underwent a tummy tuck and discuss this further.

In this session, we will analyze the before-and-after photos of a patient who underwent a tummy tuck.

This patient had given birth naturally three times and was experiencing stress due to excess loose skin, a sagging belly button, and an overall bulging appearance in the lower abdomen.

A pre-surgical body assessment revealed significant skin laxity across the abdomen, as well as weakened abdominal muscles in the upper abdomen.

Therefore, a medium-type tummy tuck along with love handle liposuction, including the sides, was necessary to tighten the sagging abdominal skin and repair the stretched abdominal muscles, creating a smoother and slimmer waistline.

Additionally, by performing a medium-type tummy tuck, the excess skin from above the belly button was pulled downward and removed. This required repositioning and reshaping the belly button to enhance overall body proportions for a more balanced appearance.

In the case of this patient, she had a metal allergy, including nickel, in the area above the navel.

During surgery, we informed her in advance that the use of V-loc sutures for dermal layer closure could potentially affect the appearance of the surgical scar.

Now, let’s compare the medical photos taken before the tummy tuck surgery and three months post-op for a detailed explanation.

When comparing the before-and-after front-view photos of the tummy tuck surgery, you can see a noticeable transformation.

The sagging abdominal skin, which had lost elasticity and bulged downward, was pulled tight and lifted as much as possible. Additionally, the stretched rectus muscles were sutured together, creating a firmer and more toned appearance in the abdominal area.

Furthermore, the patient’s concern about the drooping navel was addressed by repositioning it in alignment with the natural navel stalk. The navel was also reshaped into a vertical form, enhancing the waistline’s definition while also creating the visual effect of longer legs.

In the side-view comparison of the before-and-after tummy tuck surgery photos, the improvement is clearly visible.

The stretched skin and abdominal wall were corrected through abdominal lifting and muscle tightening, resulting in a smooth and flat appearance without any bulging or sagging.

For this patient, as previously mentioned, the potential impact of metal allergies on surgical scars was a concern, so we advised consistent post-operative care.

Not only this patient but most individuals undergoing a tummy tuck worry about post-surgical scarring. Understanding that this procedure requires a long recovery period is essential.

Therefore, following the treatment schedule is crucial, including scar laser therapy, necessary injection treatments, and at-home self-care with scar ointments, silicone sheets (such as SicaCare), and proper hydration.

In the early stages, redness or pigmentation may remain around the surgical area. However, with careful management under medical guidance, the scar will gradually fade over time, eventually settling into a faint line.