If you are planning on getting a tummy tuck- Abdominoplasty procedure, you can expect to have a scar post the surgery – it is a trade-off for losing the excess skin and fat and having a tighter abdomen. While it is quite an obvious side effect and plastic surgeons aim to reduce its visibility, there are certainly things you can do to minimise the appearance of the tummy tuck – Abdominoplasty scar.
Before we go any further, it is important to understand that what you do prior to the surgery is as important as what you do in the recovery phase when it comes to minimising your Abdominoplasty scar.
The Australian Government has a NEW Medicare Item Number for Tummy Tuck – Abdominoplasty for some eligible post-pregnancy patients with 3cm+ Diastasis Recti (Split Tummy Muscles) if you are eligible and meet the new medical criteria. This new 30175 Medicare Item Number was introduced 1st July 2022. Read the 30175 Medicare Item Number factsheet.
If you qualify for the 30175 Medicare item number, you may also get a subsidy from your Health Fund. There will still be a significant out-of-pocket GAP as Private Tummy tuck – Abdominoplasty surgery is NOT FREE.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is Specialist Plastic Surgeon with cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Wollongong NSW. He has performed hundreds of tummy tuck – Abdominoplasty procedures in over 20 years of practice. Plastic Surgeon Dr Maryam Seyedabadi consults at the Woollahra Clinic in East Sydney and is available now for consultations on a range of plastic surgery & cosmetic surgery.
When choosing a surgeon, it is important to have a close look at their portfolio of photos, their experience, skillset, expertise and typical results. Make sure to select a highly experienced and skilled plastic surgeon for your Abdominoplasty procedure. The right surgeon will perform the procedure effectively.
It is important to share your concerns regarding scarring during consultation and what you expect it to look like. Based on the surgery, most patients have a V or a U shaped scar. It can be helpful to bring your bikini bottoms and underwear to the appointment so you can decide the perfect placement of the scar.
Another very important factor is to quit smoking at least six weeks prior to getting the surgery. It can considerably minimise the risk of complications.
It is crucial that you follow all the aftercare instructions given by your surgeon. Some of the general guidelines include but are not limited to:
It is crucial to keep your incisions clean and dry on a daily basis to minimise the risk of infection. Make sure to see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: excessive bleeding along the incision line, increased or severe swelling, bruising, redness that isn’t getting better, severe pain that isn’t relieved by medication, yellowish or greenish drainage from the incision, any discharge that has an unpleasant odour, loss of feeling or motion, oral temperature over 38°C, fever and chills.
While your incision will be fully healed by around week six, scar healing and maturation can take anywhere from 12 weeks to a year. You might have to wait till then before exploring any cosmetic treatments to minimise the scars. Meanwhile, you can explore some options that can be done at home. While at-home options might not be able to eliminate the scar completely, they can help improve the size, colour, and texture of the scar and surrounding skin.
Now that you have healed effectively, it is time to work on your scar removal options. We will go from simple at-home treatments that you can try at home to more advanced options. Without further ado, let’s get started:
Apply topical vitamin E on your scar once your incision heals fully to keep it moisturised. Be sure to choose pure vitamin E oil. Make sure to apply it once a day to your scar for the first couple of months and massage gently. Research shows that Vitamin E oil can help minimise the appearance of scars when used regularly over a long period of time. If you experience any skin irritation or an allergic reaction, discontinue the use. Massaging your scar with oil really helps.
Post the surgery, if your scar is being exposed to the sun it is crucial to use sunscreen on your scar every single day even when it’s cloudy outside. Your scars are made up of new skin and will react very differently to the sun. Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis will prevent your scar from becoming darker. You can also choose a formulation that is specifically made for scars and is SPF 30 or higher. Make sure to reapply it throughout the day if you stay outdoors for longer.
It has been shown that downward pressure on a healing scar will improve the quality of the final scar result as it stops the scar from raising up above the level of the skin. Silicone sheeting is one way to apply downward pressure as is taping off the scar. Surgeons will often advocate the use of one or both of these for a period following surgery to improve the final result of a scar. Silicone Gels and tapes may also be useful.
There are plenty of skin needling or laser treatments available to target the scars. Laser skin resurfacing is one of the options to improve the texture and colour of the scars. Dermapen or Skinpen may also help with Collagen induction therapy.
Laser technology can resurface the skin. Scarred skin is replaced with healthy collagen which improves the overall texture and colour of the scar. If you decide to proceed with these treatment options, you will most likely need two to three sessions over the course of a few months.
Some patients decide to opt for steroid applications and injections to help any raised, thick, red scars – preventing keloid scarring. They might be used by your surgeon at the time of the surgery as a preventative measure or a few weeks after for correction. The cost of these essentially depends on the size and severity of the scar. On average, expect to pay a few hundred dollars per treatment.
If the scar is not maturing as expected and is excessively raised, stretched, or pigmented then scar revision can be an option. This needs to be assessed and discussed with your surgeon as the timing of surgical scar revision will vary in people with different skin types. Your surgeon will most likely combine topical treatment, minimally invasive procedures and a surgical revision to bring about the desired results.
Please note that with surgical scar revision, you might have to wait a bit longer to get the treatment. Most patients are advised to hold on for around one year before opting for surgical scar removal options.
If you plan to get tummy tuck – Abdominoplasty surgery in near future, it is important to note that you will be left with a permanent scar along with a toned tummy. Most patients find that this downside is minor compared to the benefits of the improved contour achieved by the Abdominoplasty. In all cases though patients will want an optimal scar result, so make sure to stick to all the pre and post-treatment instructions.
Dr Jeremy Hunt is specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.
Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is optimal for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and, through his guidance, can achieve good results.
Dr Hunt’s personal, one-on-one service and attention to detail has given thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia the aesthetic results they desire.
Dr Jeremy A Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the prestigious University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from some of the world’s very best plastic surgeons.
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