Mommy Makeover Scar Care 101 | Sieber Plastic Surgery

Even though scar treatment cannot begin until after your surgery, having a mommy makeover scar care plan in place now is a good idea.

Below, we’ll go over the basics of scar treatment for mommy makeover scars. First, though, let’s cover where your mommy makeover incisions (and subsequent scars) are likely to be located.

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Mommy Makeover Incision Placement

Mommy makeover surgeries are catered to the individual, so every patient can choose their own procedures. Just keep in mind that your mommy makeover cost will increase as the number of procedures increases.

The following procedures are most often included in a mommy makeover (although others may be added). Below each surgery, we’ve described where incisions and scars are likely be located.

Liposuction Scars

Liposuction removes excess fat from areas like the abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs. Liposuction does require incisions to be made in the treatment area.

So, for example, if you’re having fat removed from your abdomen, your surgeon will make small incisions (large enough to fit a cannula) usually around the groin or belly button area. This makes them well-hidden after they’ve healed.

Liposuction that is performed on other areas of the body will require similarly small incisions. But, again, the best plastic surgeons always do their best to locate these incisions in hard-to-see areas.

Tummy Tuck Scars

The goal of a tummy tuck surgery is to remove excess skin. Tummy tucks are extremely common surgeries for mommy makeover procedures.

Full tummy tucks are the most common types of tummy tucks. A full tummy tuck requires an incision to be made within the belly button and another incision to be made from hip to hip, below the underwear line on the lower abdomen.

If more skin and tissue needs to be removed, an extended tummy tuck would require the lower abdominal incision to be longer on both sides. Or, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck would require an additional incision made vertically from the belly button down to the lower abdominal incision.

Breast Augmentation Scars

When mommy makeover patients want to increase the size of their breasts, they’ll undergo breast augmentation surgery with breast implants or a fat transfer. Breast implant incisions can be made in different areas. They may be made around the areola, within the breast crease (inframammary fold), or in the armpit crease.

A breast augmentation fat transfer does not require significant incisions at all. The liposuction phase requires only very small cannula-sized incisions wherever the fat is to be harvested. And the reinjection of the fat to the breasts should not leave noticeable scarring.

Breast Lift Scars

For perkier, more youthful and lifted breasts, patients might choose a breast lift. Many mommy makeover plastic surgery procedures include breast lifts.

Scars can vary for this surgery. A “donut” incision placement requires one incision around each areola. A “lollipop” incision placement requires the donut incision with the addition of a vertical incision down the lower half of each breast. Finally, an “anchor” incision placement requires a third additional incision along the inframammary fold or breast crease.

Scar Care 101 Following Mommy Makeover Surgery

Your first line of defense against visible scars after a mommy makeover is to follow all of the post-op instructions provided by your surgeon. Do not lift anything heavy, perform strenuous exercises, or strain your incision sites.

Likewise, get plenty of rest, water, and healthy food. Sleep a lot, and don’t rush back to work and your normal activities. Wear your compression garments as required, and treat your incision sites carefully (keep them clean and dry).

Following these guidelines should ensure that your incisions heal faster and that the ensuing scars come together nicely. In the following months, they should begin to fade and flatten. Be sure to stay out of the sun during this time, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing items if necessary. Excessive sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation of scars.

Your surgeon will likely discuss other scar therapy options with you. In some cases, post-surgical massage may be helpful. Only do this if your surgeon recommends it, however, and always follow their specific instructions.

Silicone sheets and topical gels can also be helpful. Silicone has been shown in many studies to lessen the appearance of scars over time. But you must use whatever silicone product you choose regularly, and do not skip applications. These products are only proven effective with consistent use.

Lastly, give it time. Mommy makeover scars should fade, but not right away. After a few months, you’ll notice a marked improvement. After six months to a year, you’ll see even more improvement. And several years down the line, you may hardly notice your scars.

Of course, this always depends on your skin type, skin elasticity level, and the extent of your incisions. Unfortunately, some patients tend to scar more severely than others. If you experience any keloid, hypertrophic, or otherwise raised scars, speak to your surgeon about scar treatment options such as laser therapy.

Mommy Makeover Scars FAQ

Does mommy makeover leave a scar on the stomach?

If you have a tummy tuck, you will likely have scars from this surgery on your stomach. Body contouring on the stomach and around the abdomen will also leave scars.

Abdominal liposuction should not leave anything more than very small dot-like scars in most cases. Your surgeon will do their best to make all incisions and subsequent scars discreet.

What is a mommy makeover scar tattoo?

If you have particular tummy tuck scars or breast augmentation scars that are still too noticeable for you, mommy makeover scar tattoos are an option that some patients choose. These natural-looking tattoos aim to blend the surface pigment of a scar with the surrounding skin so that it is less noticeable.

What does a tummy tuck look like after 5 years?

This depends on several factors, one of which is how your tummy tuck was performed. A full tummy tuck incision pattern (the most common option) will create one incision around the belly button and one along the lower abdomen.

Your mommy makeover tummy tuck scar after 6 months will look very different from how it looks after five years. These incisions should be barely noticeable in even a bathing suit or undergarments. The navel scar should heal within the belly button so that it is hardly visible. And the lower abdominal scar will be hidden beneath the underwear line.

Both incisions, if well cared for, should be flat and faded after five years. See mommy makeover before and after photos for examples.

Request a Mommy Makeover Consultation Appointment

Despite the risk of a scar mommy makeover surgery is overall totally worthwhile for most qualified patients. Not only can mommy makeovers change your body physically, but they can also restore your energy and self-confidence.

If you would like to learn more about your candidacy for surgery, mommy makeover scar treatment, how to help wounds heal faster, or the mommy makeover recovery experience, please call our office today to schedule a consultation appointment with double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-will-your-mommy-makeover-scars-look-like