Tummy Tuck Scar Management: Recovery at 4.5 vs 10 Months Post-Surgery
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
in their 20s |
61kg |
150cm |
27 |
Surgical site
abdominoplasty, M-type, Triple lock, Navel Correction, Abdominal Liposuction
3200cc
To escape the stress of loose and sagging abdominal skin,
many people consider undergoing abdominoplasty.
However, concerns about scarring after the procedure often cause hesitation.
Abdominoplasty involves a wide dissection area and typically results in a long incision.
Because of this, various techniques are required both beneath and on the surface of the skin
to ensure stable and satisfactory outcomes.
This is also why we strongly recommend regular follow-up visits after surgery—
not only to monitor healing, but also to properly manage scar care.
While the timeline for scar fading varies from person to person,
our clinic aims to shorten the recovery period as much as possible
through personalized post-operative care such as laser toning and injection treatments
tailored to each patient’s condition.
Let us explain in more detail by showing you the case of the patient below.
In this patient’s case, she had given birth to twins via cesarean section eight months prior to surgery.
She presented with significant lower abdominal skin laxity and severe abdominal wall weakening.
Therefore, we performed both abdominal liposuction and a tummy tuck to remove the sagging skin and tighten the stretched rectus muscles,
with the goal of creating a smoother and firmer abdominal contour.
We carefully removed the subcutaneous fat distributed across the abdomen through liposuction,
and addressed the severely stretched, inelastic skin—extending from above the navel to the lower abdomen—
by performing a medium-type abdominoplasty.
This allowed us to effectively eliminate the visibly sagging skin.
In addition, we reinforced the weakened abdominal wall by plicating the rectus muscles from the inside,
which helped define the waistline and provide a tighter, more contoured silhouette.
In addition, due to the nature of a medium-type abdominoplasty—which involves pulling down and removing skin from above the navel—
relocation of the belly button was unavoidable.
We carefully repositioned the navel and redesigned its shape
to enhance overall body proportions and achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Now, let us explain further by comparing preoperative medical photos
with those taken 10 and a half months after the abdominoplasty.
When comparing the pre- and post-operative frontal photos of the abdomen,
you can clearly see the transformation into a slimmer abdominal contour.
This was achieved by correcting the stretched rectus abdominis muscles—which had been weakened due to twin pregnancy—
as well as addressing the loss of skin elasticity and removing accumulated abdominal fat.
Prior to surgery, the sagging skin extended downward to the point where it covered the lower abdomen,
causing the belly button to droop as well.
We repositioned the belly button in alignment with the natural stalk,
which improved overall body proportions and symmetry.
In addition, thanks to the liposuction procedure,
the corset-like effect of the rectus muscle plication
was further enhanced, contributing to the more defined waistline.
Before the surgery, the abdominal area appeared heavy and saggy
due to stretched and loosened skin from a twin pregnancy.
The loss of skin elasticity caused the lower abdomen to droop significantly.
However, after undergoing abdominoplasty,
the area was noticeably lifted and tightened,
resulting in a much slimmer and more refined appearance.
In this patient’s case, although it has been approximately 10 and a half months since the abdominoplasty,
some redness in the scar remains, which is still considered normal at this stage of recovery.
We inform our patients that it typically takes up to 24 months
for the scar to fully fade and mature.
Even within the six-month period from 4.5 to 10.5 months post-surgery,
we observed noticeable improvement and fading of the scar.
This patient is still in the recovery phase.
While some redness at the surgical site remains,
there have been no issues such as raised or uneven skin,
indicating a smooth healing process so far.
It’s important to note that scar healing can vary significantly from person to person.
For optimal recovery, we always emphasize the importance
of following the scar care instructions and scheduled check-ups provided by our medical team.
Although the patient has difficulty visiting regularly due to living in another region,
it’s especially important to maintain consistent follow-up for abdominoplasty,
as it involves a long incision and therefore requires extended healing and monitoring.
We advise patients to continue visiting the clinic regularly
so we can provide appropriate post-operative care
in line with their individual recovery pace.
The sagging belly has been neatly lifted through the abdominal lift surgery.
Before the surgery, the excess sagging belly fat and skin gave the body a thick, heavy appearance with a downward sag. After the surgery, the belly has been improved into a firm, lifted shape with no sagging, creating a more toned and elastic abdominal contour.
In the case of abdominal lift surgery scars, at the 3-month mark, some redness is inevitable. Typically, it takes around 18-24 months for the scars to fade during the recovery period.
In this patient’s case, although some redness is visible, the scars are healing well without any raised or uneven areas.
Since recovery speed for abdominal lift scars varies from person to person, it is important to follow the medical team’s guidance on care methods and check-up schedules for a faster and more stable recovery.
After the abdominal lift surgery, this patient not only received scar care bands and laser treatments but also visited the Slim Center for additional weight loss.
Through systematic check-ups to assess her health, we provided customized treatments and explained a diet plan designed to minimize yo-yo effects rather than promoting rapid weight loss.
Since the patient was satisfied with the results of both the abdominal lift surgery and liposuction, we explained that focusing solely on the number of pounds lost could lead to the same yo-yo effect she experienced in the past.
We emphasized the importance of gradually increasing exercise, improving habits, and slowly losing and maintaining weight, in line with her body’s recovery speed, while continuing to consult with the medical team.
