subject: Tummy Tuck: Learn How To Live With The Scars [print this page] The tummy tuck is a modern miracle, removing the pouch of fat that appears on your belly and won't go away no matter how you starve or work out, but it has only one drawback-the scars. Tummy tuck scars are tough to deal with; no matter how your doctor hides them, they can still pop out and give you away.
Hiding The Scars-What You And Your Doctor Can Do
At the consultation, your doctor will try to figure out the best way to conceal your scars. They have a number of options available for scar placement, and they can discuss these options with you.
The biggest trouble most of us have following a tummy tuck is that the scars show when you're wearing underwear. Even worse, they show when you're in your swimsuit! There's not a whole lot you can do about this, other than giving up on bikinis for life, but your surgeon can help place the scars so that they show minimally.
There's usually an incision made around the belly button. This cut is made to remove tissue from this key trouble area. There's not much that can be done about this scar, but it's not as visible as the longer scars. These longer scars will either be horizontal or vertical, depending on what the surgeon recommends. Here you have some choice about which they'll use.
Recovering Right Can Help
When you first get your tummy tuck, you'll be immediately amazed by the lack of belly bulge around your middle. You'll also be immediately shocked at the giant, blue-purple scarring and swelling that stretches across your gut!
Don't worry! It won't always be like this. For the first few weeks, you can expect to see this massive, obvious scar. After that time, it will start to fade. It'll still be visible upon close inspection, but it won't be big and discolored like it is now.
Following doctor's orders and taking care of your scar during the recovery period will help greatly in minimizing the scarring. Keep the scar clean and moist so that it can heal properly, and it will look as good as it can. Then, wear the right strategic bottoms to hide it just right.
The Mini Tummy Tuck Option
It's the same operation on a smaller scale, but the great benefit is that the incisions are tiny. They are not nearly as noticeable as the longer scarring of a full-scale abdominoplasty.
This can give you the flat, slim belly you've been dreaming of, but the only drawback is that it comes with a scar. Something this wonderful has to come with a price. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect in terms of scarring, and let this help you decide if this surgical option is right for you.
