Can Tummy Tuck Remove Abdominal Scarring?

Scarring is one of the big concerns for anyone considering a surgical procedure. Most people fear that the surgical procedure would leave them with ugly and noticeable scars that they will have for the rest of their lives.

As per the Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, more than 1.2 lakh Americans decided to trim & smooth their waistlines with tummy tuck surgery in 2020. Tummy tucks are consistently one of the most performed and requested plastic surgery procedures from year to year.

A tummy tuck has a dual focus. It removes excess fat and skin after pregnancy or a significant weight loss, and corrects abdominal muscle laxity.

Sometimes a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is also used to get rid of scars in the lower part of the abdomen. We have encountered, the need for tummy tuck in two more specific situations, namely:

·       Burn scars on lower abdomen

·       Long up & down abdominal scars from exploratory surgery, these scars are most often for ovarian cancer.

In both these concerns a low incision tummy tuck (lower bikini line incision) is used to lift & remove the scarred skin, then the normal skin from upper abdomen is pulled down to replace it.

If you are thinking about getting tummy tuck surgery in Chicago and would like to learn more, read on, the team at the CI plastic surgery clinic in Chicago addresses some of your apprehensions by explaining what you need to know about removal of scarring with the help of tummy tuck.

Overview

What is Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is one of the well-known cosmetic surgical procedures that is commonly preferred to improve the appearance of the abdomen. It is also known as abdominoplasty.

During a tummy tuck surgery, excess skin & fat are removed from the abdomen. Fascia (connective tissue in the abdomen) usually is tightened with sutures as well. And the remaining skin will be repositioned to create a more toned look.

You may opt for tummy tuck if you have any excess fat or skin around the area of your belly button or weak lower abdominal wall. A tummy tuck procedure can also boost your body image.

Why is Tummy Tuck Done?

There are multiple reasons to get it done, like you may have:

·       Excess fat

·       Poor elasticity

·       Weakened connective tissue in your abdomen

Other reasons also include:

·       Pregnancy

·       Significant changes in body weight

·       Aging

·       Abdominal surgery, such as a C-section

·       Because of natural body type

A tummy tuck surgery can remove excess loose skin and fat, as well as tighten and weaken fascia. This cosmetic procedure can also remove excess stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the belly button.

If you have previously had a C-section surgery, your consultant plastic surgeon may incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar.

A tummy tuck can also be performed in conjunction with other body contouring cosmetic procedures such as breast surgery. If you've removed belly fat (liposuction), you may need a tummy tuck because liposuction treatment in Chicago removes tissue under the skin and fat, but not excess skin.

A tummy tuck is not for everyone. Your surgeon may caution against a tummy tuck procedure if you:

·       Plan to lose a significant amount of weight

·       May consider future pregnancy

·       Have a severe chronic condition, like diabetes or heart disease

·       Have a BMI that is greater than 30

·       Are a smoker

·       Had any previous abdominal surgery that caused scar tissue.

A tummy tuck can remove loose excess skin and fat as well as tighten a weak bandage. Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can also remove stretch marks & excess skin in the lower abdomen below the belly button. However, a tummy tuck will not correct stretch marks outside of this area.

Tummy Tuck Surgery Can Help You Get Rid of Ugly Surgical Scars!

At CI Plastic Surgery Clinic in Chicago, we have seen many patients whose major concern is scarring. They tell us that they will never wear a bikini to the beach or pool because they are ashamed of their belly. In many cases, pregnancy has become a heavy burden for them. But for some women, previous surgical scars - especially poorly healed & depressive scars - make them feel much worse about their appearance.

While people get a tummy tuck surgery, clinically known as abdominoplasty, some of the skin in the lower abdomen will be removed to create a naturally smoother appearance. Frequent removal of this skin will remove surgical scars, especially scars following an appendectomy, hysterectomy, or caesarean section.

Obviously, an abdominoplasty surgery in Chicago results in a new scar from hip to thigh, but it is intentionally positioned very low on the abdomen so that it can be hidden under a bikini, underwear, jeans or low cut shorts.  

During the operation, the scars are removed along with the skin in the lower abdomen. After the operation, the abdomen became smoother and more flat. Now the new abdominoplasty scar is hidden under the underwear.

As experienced plastic surgeons, we do everything we can during your tummy tuck surgery to minimize the appearance of your other and future tummy tuck scars.  Specialized plastic surgeons in Chicago would avoid making your incision too high, and also strive to make it symmetrical and moreover as small as possible without sacrificing your results.

To learn more about how tummy tuck helps to remove abdominal scarring, please contact the team at CI plastic surgery clinic to set up an appointment with the experienced plastic surgeon.

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