Whenever there is a surgery involved, you are sure to have an incision. An incision leads to scarring that remains as an ever-lasting mark on your body. The same is applicable when you have tummy tuck surgery. The doctor creates an incision to remove the excess fat deposition and then pulls the skin upward to form a flat belly.
So far, the procedure goes well and you recover within a short span of time as per the instructions of the doctor. But the problem arises when you are about to wear a revealing dress and the scar on your tummy is visible. The majority of people do not want to reveal that they had undergone a tummy tuck surgery.
Well, there are ways by which you can hide this scar mark. One of the pertinent methods would be to not wear any revealing apparel. Well, is that even a solution? Certainly not. So, we have come up with this blog to help you learn about the different ways that you can adapt to minimize the marks of a tummy tuck scar. Without further delay, let’s get into the process.
What to do before a tummy tuck surgery?
Before you visit the tummy tuck clinic in turkey, there are certain things that you need to understand. First and foremost, look for a surgeon who is capable of handling your case. Before you look for the surgeon, jot down your demands from this surgery and create a portfolio. Now, look for a surgeon who can take care of your issue and provide you with a suitable solution. Always choose someone who has a good reputation in this field and is an experienced one.
Before lying down on the operation table, talk with your surgeon and discuss about the scarring. If required, you can raise any particular concern and discussion about the shape of your scar or its appearance. However, the appearance of the scar varies from person to person. While one may have a U-shaped scar, another person may have a V-shaped scar. Besides, to stay away from any kind of complications, doctors ask all patients to stay away from smoking at least six weeks before the surgery.
Stages of the scar
A scar occurs when the skin or tissues underlying it is affected by a wound and is in the healing phase. There are stages by which a scar is formed. Before you learn about the ways by which you can reduce or eliminate a scar, it is important to have knowledge about the stages of a scar. Given below are three stages that a scar undergoes.
Stage 1: Closure
Whenever there is an incision on the skin or the skin has been broken due to the tummy tuck surgery, the human body has the power to create and develop collagen fibers. It is these collagen fibers that fill in the gap that has been caused by the incision. The whole process takes about two to three weeks.
Stage 2: Establishment
At the site of the wound, the building up of collagen is a continuous process that strengthens and protects the affected area. It is then that the blood supply increases to support and help in the formation of collagen. Both the blood supply and the collagen formation create a dark mark on the new scar, thereby making it more prominent and thicker than usual skin. This whole process of scar thickening takes about three to six months.
Stage 3: Maturity
After the collagen has been formed completed, the rapid blood circulation in the region slows down. Gradually, the darkness of the scar becomes lighter along with the thinning of the wound. Also, the visibility of the scar reduces. This whole process takes about one or two years, depending on the type of scar you have and its severity.
How to reduce scars after tummy tuck surgery?
After surgery, when you get a scar, know that it is here to stay with you for a lifetime. It is evident that scarred skin will never look like natural skin. Instead, it can become more visible to the people and slightly ugly. However, if you have to eliminate or reduce scars, these are the things that you need to do.
- Use topical vitamin E
Several researches have proved that using topical vitamin E consistently can improve the appearance of your skin. Besides, vitamin E being an oily component, it helps the scar remain moisturized, thereby reducing the darkening of the skin. However, it is suggested to use 100 percent pure vitamin E once a day. Continue this regime for a few months to see the results. However, in case you get any allergic reactions, do not hesitate to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
- Apply sunscreen
After your surgery, get into the habit of using sunscreen on the scar for at least a year or so. The more the affected region is exposed to the rays of the sun, the more will it become dark and hard. Since the scars are created by new skin, they react more quickly to the sun’s rays. So, using sunscreen can prevent the affected scar as well as the surrounding region from darkening. Generally, dermatologists suggest investing in a sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 and even more.
- Watch for infections
One of the very basic rules while dealing with a scar should be to clean the incision or scar regularly. Cleaning the scar daily can help you in two ways:
- Prevent infection
- Better its appearance
Following the above-mentioned tips are sure to help you greatly. But, in case you notice anything unusual, run to the doctor immediately. Here are some signs that you should be careful of:
- Loss of feeling
- Increased swelling and bruises
- Intolerable bleeding from the incision
- Greenish or yellowish drainage (pus) from the incision
- Unpleasant odor with drainage from the incision
- Severe pain with each passing day
Conclusion
By this time, you have come to the end of the blog and have clearly understood that having tummy tuck surgery will give you a scar. Consider the reason for getting a tummy tuck surgery and be confident enough to face the results. In case you want to prevent yourself from the scar, discuss it with your doctor initially.
