Tummy tuck scar care
Once the steri-strips have begun to curl at their edges they can be safely removed.
At this point you will no longer need to cover your incisions with dressings and can begin to administer scar reducing products. There is no harm in using these products, though the best is your body.
It works to naturally reduce scarring. Redness and a raised texture are normal during the three to six months following your tummy tuck, but both traits begin to subside during the healing process. (Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
When to start scar treatment following tummy tuck surgery
Tummy tuck scar care after surgery
You should inquire of your plastic surgeon when to begin with the silicone gel sheeting for scar treatment as he/she was the operating surgeon. In general, my recommendation is to start at around 3 – 4 weeks postoperatively asl long as your wounds are “healed”. (Steven Turkeltaub, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
I recommend starting scar treatment 10 days after the surgery, as long as the scars are healed and there are no open areas. (Frank Agullo, MD, El Paso Plastic Surgeon)
Ideal timing for tummy tuck scar care
Once your wounds are fully sealed you can start applying various treatments.
Tummy tuck scar care photo
However, whether you start a few days or a couple of weeks after surgery will make little difference on the final outcome. In the initial days after surgery you want to keep your wounds clean to avoid infection, and avoid tension to keep the scar nice and thin. After that initial period scar treatments help to keep the scar from rising and widening. Silicone has been shown to be effective. In my patients I found BioOil to be very good. (Martin Jugenburg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Scar Treatment after Tummy Tuck
Once the skin is sealed, usually about two weeks after surgery, Silicone scar sheets may be applied. Sheets should be lifted daily and the incision inspected for any sign of irritation or infection. (Stephan Baker, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck scar care strips
You should be able to start your scar therapy using silicone sheeting at this point (17 days post-op) since you have no steri-strips, but I agree that you should ask your surgeon about this. I would allow my patients to begin scar therapy once the steri-strips come off on their own (I almost always will use steri-strips). (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
Once your sutures are out and the incision is healed and you get the go ahead from your surgeon, you can start your scar therapy. As your plastic surgeon probably told you, you can wash and reuse your silicone sheeting. (Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
Always follow the advice of your plastic surgeon. This is general information only. I use steri strips for a few weeks then I have my patients rub vitamin E on the incision site.
After this time (one month) my patients use a silicone sheeting. (Jay H. Ross, MD, Palm Harbor Plastic Surgeon)
