At Northwestern Plastic Surgery, we want our patients to feel well informed and educated about their treatment and what it entails. We have found that the most satisfied plastic surgery patients are the ones who approach the experience with reasonable and realistic expectations.

If you are considering tummy tuck surgery to sculpt and shape your abdomen, you likely are curious whether the procedure will leave a scar. Perhaps you’ve asked around or looked at before and after photographs on our site, but you’re still unclear.

Because it is a surgical procedure that requires a horizontal incision, tummy tuck will leave scarring. (Mini tummy tuck has a smaller incision and, thus, a shorter scar.) However, tummy tuck incisions are typically placed low enough that scarring can be easily hidden by a bathing suit or underwear line. The scars will be firm and pink for approximately six weeks. They will gradually fade and flatten six months to a year after surgery.

There are things that you can do to minimize your tummy tuck scarring. However, you must accept the likelihood that the scars will never completely disappear.

How Can I Minimize My Scarring?

It’s common for our patients to inquire about things they can do to minimize scarring.

The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of visible scarring is to work with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, such as one of the surgeons at Northwestern Plastic Surgery. A qualified plastic surgeon will use incision techniques that lead to less noticeable scarring.

It’s also important to follow all of the advice and instructions provided by your plastic surgeon both before and after your surgery. Although you may not think that certain behaviors could affect your scarring, you would be surprised to learn that some can. Ignoring the advice of your plastic surgeon increases the risk not just of scarring, but of other complications, too.

Another thing you can do to minimize scarring is to avoid exposing your incision to the sun for about a year (as this may cause scarring to darken).

There are products that claim to minimize your scars, such as Arnica Montana and Bromelain. If you’re interested in these products, please ask our plastic surgery team about their safety and efficacy.

Learn More about Tummy Tuck

To learn more about the tummy tuck procedure or scarring, please contact Northwestern Plastic Surgery. Call (312) 695-6022 or send us an email today.

The Northwestern Plastic Surgery team is committed to educating you and informing you about your plastic surgery options. If you are considering breast augmentation, we want you to feel comfortable with your options and prepared when making decisions about your care. There is a lot of misinformation circulating about breast augmentation surgery; our plastic surgeons want to set the record straight by clearing up some common breast augmentation myths.

My breast implants will look fake.

Whether your implants look fake or natural depends on the type and size implant that you select. If you select a moderately sized implant that complements the proportions of your body frame, your breasts should look very natural after surgery. On the other hand, if you have a naturally small frame and select large, round implants, it may be more apparent that you’ve had your breasts surgically altered.

My breast implants will feel fake.

Modern advances in technology have led to the development of implant materials that feel extremely similar to natural breast tissue. Placing them beneath the chest muscle, and taking measures to prevent scar tissue build-up, helps keep implants soft.

I won’t be able to breastfeed with implants.

Most women with breast implants can successfully breastfeed. It is important, however, to mention any plans to breastfeed to our Chicago breast augmentation surgeons during your initial consultation, so they can be aware as they design your surgical plan and recommend the best incision pattern for your procedure.

Implants will improve the look of my saggy breasts.

If your breasts droop significantly and your nipples are at or near the bottom of the breast and point downward, implants will not correct these problems. Our plastic surgeons will recommend adding breast lift to your surgical plan to improve both the size and position of the breasts.

Surgery will be painful.

You will receive anesthesia medications prior to surgery for your comfort, and you shouldn’t feel anything during your procedure. After your surgery, our doctors will prescribe oral medication to help alleviate any post-operative pain or discomfort.

Implants need to be replaced every few years.

Breast implants are long-lasting medical devices that are designed for many years of use. Unless there is a complication with your implants or you do not like their size or shape, your implants do not need to be replaced or removed.

Questions about Breast Augmentation? Call Us!

If you are considering breast augmentation and have questions about the procedure, please contact Northwestern Plastic Surgery by calling (312) 695-6022 or sending us an email.