I Want a Tummy Tuck but Not a Scar

Nobody likes scars, especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Think about it, the whole idea of cosmetic surgery is to gain increased confidence in your appearance. Visible scars tend to undermine that goal. This fear of scars is why you’ll often see plastic surgery techniques marketed as “no-scar” or “short-scar” procedures.

One of the plastic surgery procedures that causes the most scar concerns is tummy tuck surgery, which typically leaves a scar stretching horizontally from hip to hip. On the popular RealSelf website, an online forum for people considering plastic surgery, questions about avoiding large tummy tuck scars are posted frequently.

The reality is that any time a surgeon makes an incision, some sort of scar results. It’s really up to the individual to weigh the benefits of a certain procedure against the cosmetic costs of having a scar, whether it’s a breast lift, a tummy tuck, or another operation involving longer incisions.

Even if a “scarless” tummy tuck isn’t possible, however, there are ways to get a flatter stomach without worrying about exposing an unsightly scar every time you head to the beach or pool.

• Step 1: Find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has the skill to minimize scarring and who makes incisions as low as possible so that they are hidden by even the tiniest bikinis. The surgeon should have a gallery of before-and-after photos of patients demonstrating great results.
• Step 2: Talk to the surgeon about whether you’re a candidate for a mini tummy tuck. In some cases, a full tummy tuck, called an abdominoplasty, isn’t needed to get the results desired. The main difference with this modified technique is that it tightens skin only below the belly button. It also leaves a shorter scar.
• Step 3: Make sure your surgeon is as concerned about your belly button as you are. Although the horizontal incision is what most patients express concern about when considering a tummy tuck, an incision is also made around the belly button so it can be repositioned. This is the area of the body that people will see when you’re in a bikini, yet it’s sometimes an afterthought.

“Not all plastic surgeons devote so much time and attention to these final steps,” Dr. Thomas P. Sterry wrote on his blog. A tummy tuck specialist in New York City, Dr. Sterry said, “During surgery, I often spend 20 to 30 minutes on the belly button alone, both for the client’s sake and because the belly button is the only part of my operation that the public is likely to see. That makes it worth the time to get it right and make it look natural.”

Those are great tips for those who haven’t undergone surgery yet, but what if you’ve already had a tummy tuck and have been left with a scar that makes you regret ever getting the surgery? Scar revision procedures are available, ranging from surgical removal to less invasive methods such as silicone gels or laser treatments.

And take heart, especially if the surgery was within the last year. Scars typically fade with time and good skin care practices.