All scars are permanent
The tummy tuck scar is there to allow the doctor to tighten your lax muscles and remove the extra skin giving you a nice flat tummy.
So the scar is a necessary tradeoff for this. You can massage them, laser them or leave them alone.
Either way they will improve over time and can sometimes become barely visible, but not always. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck Scars
Anytime an incision is made a scar will form. The appearance of the resulting scar depends on the surgeon’s technique, the pressure and stretching of the scar during the healing process and the use of scar treatment programs.
After a tummy tuck you do not want to stretch out the abdomen because this will result in a thicker scar. To aid the healing process we recommend a silicone based scar gel. When used properly, scars become lighter and more discrete. (Tarick K. Smaili, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck scars can hide but not disappear
Tummy tucks are extremely popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. When we perform a tummy tuck, in our practice, we asked the patient to bring in their favorite bikini and place them in many different poses so that we can design the incision in a manner that it will always be hidden under their favorite bikini.
By using the body’s own lines and closing the incision without tension, we can create a tummy tuck scar that will be difficult to notice. However, the scar will always be present and will never completely disappear. (Pat Pazmino, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Scars are Permanent
Every operation leaves permanent a permanent scar. While the scar may not be very noticeable it will always be present. The way a scar heals depends on how the scar was caused, your skin type and the location of the scar. For the most part, tummy tuck scars heal very nicely and I have not meant a woman who was not glad to trade her stomach pooch for her scar. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Surgical Scar treatment
Manny, Congratulations on completing your tummy tuck. In general, I agree with the previous authors. For decades we have used silicone gel strips to hasten the flattening of the incision. For the umbilical incision, we have a couple bowls of half marbles that the patient wears over the belly button incision. It very inexpensive, readily available, and easily replaceable, if lost. Additionally, embrace has become the main stay of silicone gel sheeting because it minimizes stretch/tension on the wound.
The incisions rarely completely fade away. They are usually visible to some degree (much like c-section incisions). One of the modalities that we have used with success in the Dermapen, a minimally invasive micro-needling technique which flattens incisions on the face, breast, extremities, and torso. (Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS, Phoenix Plastic Surgeon)
One of the goals of tummy tuck surgery is to leave patients with scars that are virtually undetectable. It is also important to have scar placement so that scars are less obvious. It is unlikely that your scar will be completely invisible. But it sounds like you are off to a great start. (Michael Law, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon)
Unfortunately, abdominoplasty can’t be performed without scarring. How much scarring occurs with this procedure depends on the patients wound healing characteristics. This can vary significantly from patient to patient and can be unpredictable.
In some patients scars are imperceptible, while in others they may be thick, raised and unattractive. Wound healing is a dynamic process that occurs over the course of 12 to 18 months following surgery.
During this period of time a variety of maneuvers have been utilized to minimize scarring. These include massage, silastic sheeting, and a variety of topical agents. In the majority of abdominoplasty patients scars heal nicely. Occasionally, adverse scarring is a problem and scar revision is necessary.
If you’re concerned about scarring it’s important that you discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to answer your questions and alleviate your concerns. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)
Minimizing Tummy Tuck Scars
Sounds too good to be true – that is correct, there is no such thing as a scarless tummy tummy tuck, however scar maturation products like silicone sheeting can make a big difference. See my link for more suggestions (Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)