A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, leaves a permanent scar, but the incision is usually placed low on the abdomen so it sits beneath many underwear and swimsuit styles. The exact length and position depend on how much skin needs to be removed and which type of tummy tuck you have. Scars also change considerably over time, typically becoming flatter and lighter as they mature.
Maria Lombardo, DO, FACOS, performs tummy tuck procedures at Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Mirage, CA. She is a board-certified general surgeon and diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Her cosmetic surgery fellowship included breast, body, facial, and post-weight-loss procedures, and she has practiced in the Palm Springs area since 2008.
Where Is a Tummy Tuck Scar Located?
With a traditional tummy tuck, the main incision generally runs from hip to hip along the lower abdomen. Dr. Lombardo places this incision near the bikini line so the resulting scar can often be concealed beneath clothing. A full tummy tuck also involves an incision in or around the belly button.
The scar pattern often differs with other types of abdominoplasty. A mini tummy tuck typically uses a shorter horizontal incision and doesn’t require an incision around the belly button. An extended tummy tuck lengthens the horizontal incision beyond the hips, while a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck adds a vertical incision for people with substantial excess skin.
Your anatomy and the amount of correction you need ultimately determine the incision pattern.
How Do Tummy Tuck Scars Change While Healing?
A fresh surgical scar can initially look red, pink, firm, or raised. That’s part of normal scar formation. As healing continues, the tissue generally softens, flattens, and becomes lighter.
These changes happen gradually, not within a few weeks. Tummy tuck scars may continue to flatten and lighten for about a year, although scar maturation might take longer for some people.
Swelling around the abdomen can also change how the incision looks during the early stages of recovery, so what you see soon after the procedure isn’t the final appearance of the scar.
What Can Affect How Your Scar Heals?
Your natural tendency to form scars plays a role, but your recovery habits matter, too. Following your postoperative instructions helps protect the incision while your tissues repair themselves.
Avoid putting unnecessary tension on the healing area, and wait until you’ve been cleared before returning to strenuous exercise or heavy lifting. Protecting the scar from sun exposure as it heals can also reduce the risk of persistent discoloration.
Dr. Lombardo will also tell you when it’s appropriate to begin any scar-care measures based on how your incision is healing.
Learn More About Tummy Tuck Surgery in Rancho Mirage, CA
Scar placement is an important part of planning abdominoplasty, and your incision pattern will depend on the changes you’d like to make. Call 760-610-8990 to book a consultation with Dr. Maria Lombardo in Rancho Mirage, CA, and discuss your abdomen, your expected scar pattern, and recovery.
