Let's Talk About The Tummy Tuck Scar
Some of the most common questions we get here at HZ Plastic Surgery in Orlando are related to tummy tuck procedures. Patients often wonder how big their scar will be and how they can best facilitate healing after their surgery during the recovery period. First and foremost, it can be helpful to know that there isn’t just one type of tummy tuck.
The Three Kinds of Tummy Tucks
Depending on your personal needs, Dr. Z’s staff may recommend one of three surgical procedures. There are a few different approaches that might be taken, depending on how much change you’d like in your abdominal area.
A mini tummy tuck might be perfect for you if you have small amounts of body fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.
You may need a full tummy tuck if you have loose or sagging skin left over from weight loss or pregnancy; this procedure will make use of a u-shaped incision above the pubic mound.
Finally, an extended tummy tuck may be recommended if you have loose, sagging skin and excess fat around your hips and stomach. For this procedure, a long incision is used that may wrap around your hips.
How Long Will Tummy Tuck Recovery Take?
Depending on how long your incision is, you might need anywhere from one to six weeks to fully recover from your surgery. It’s important to not rush surgical recovery, especially if you want the results to look nice!
How Big Is A Tummy Tuck Scar?
Again, this will depend on the type of tummy tuck you and your surgeon have agreed upon. Sometimes an additional incision will be made above your belly button to address loose skin there after your lower tuck. Scars can range from a few inches to one that wraps from hip to hip. However, you can talk to your surgeon about where you’d like the scars to lie— especially if you have a favorite bikini!
What Will My Belly Button Look Like?
If you’re wondering what your belly button will look like after a tummy tuck, don’t worry! More extensive procedures will actually remove your original belly button completely, but Dr. Z will reconstruct an amazing one for you— he’s a belly button pro.
Hiding and Healing a Tummy Tuck Scar
As with any surgical procedure, the most important thing you can do is to follow your post-operative instructions to the letter. Your surgeon has been doing this for a long time and knows how to get you the best results. Furthermore, our plastic surgery specialists recommend that you use silicone-containing scar products like these. Silicone can help your skin retain moisture and reduce the visibility of your scarring.
One of the benefits of working with an experienced surgeon is that he or she can place your final incision in a location that can easily be hidden by undergarments or swimwear.
Tummy Tucks in Orlando
If you’re on the fence about a tummy tuck in Orlando, take a peek at some of Dr. Z’s before and after shots from happy patients. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with our team of professional plastic surgery experts, contact us today.