Tummy Tuck Scar Revision: What It Is, Cost, and Cosmetic Options

After undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, many patients find themselves concerned about the appearance of their scars. While tummy tucks can create remarkable improvements in abdominal contour, the resulting scars are an inevitable part of the process. Fortunately, for those unhappy with their tummy tuck scars, various revision options exist to improve their appearance.

This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about tummy tuck scar revision, from understanding different types of scars to treatment options, costs, and what to expect during recovery.

Understanding Tummy Tuck Scars

A tummy tuck scar forms as the skin heals after abdominoplasty surgery. The scar is usually thin and may be raised, recessed, slightly pink, or lighter than the surrounding skin. The location and appearance of your scar will depend on the type of tummy tuck procedure you received.

Types of Tummy Tuck Scars

The size and location of tummy tuck scars vary depending on what type of tummy tuck you have:

• Full tummy tuck: The scar for a standard tummy tuck usually spans your abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone, just above your pubic area. You may also have a scar around your belly button.

• Mini tummy tuck: A mini tummy tuck is for people who have a small amount of excess fat and tissue beneath their belly button. The scar is shorter than a full tummy tuck scar, about the length of a C-section scar (between 3 inches and 6 inches).

• Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: This scar spans your abdomen horizontally. A second vertical scar runs from your lower breastbone to your pubic bone.

Common Scar Problems

Several issues might lead a patient to seek scar revision after a tummy tuck:

• Raised, thick, or very pigmented scars
• Poor placement of the original scar
• Not enough skin removed during the initial procedure
• Awkward fat deposits near or around the abdomen

Other common issues include:

• Hyperpigmented scars (darker than surrounding skin)
• Hypopigmented scars (lighter than surrounding skin)
• Tethered scars (where the scar gets attached to the muscle layer)

What Is Tummy Tuck Scar Revision?

Tummy tuck scar revision is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the appearance of scars left from an initial abdominoplasty. The process often involves excising the old scar and carefully suturing the new incision to promote better healing. The goal is to create a more aesthetically pleasing abdominal wall by minimizing scar visibility, enhancing the overall results of the original surgery.

When to Consider Scar Revision

Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least 12-18 months after your initial tummy tuck before considering scar revision. This is a time when the scar is about as good as it is going to get and the skin has had a chance to further relax and take tension off of the scar.

When scars have fully matured (typically by one year), they become appropriate candidates for revision. However, for patients who develop keloids, they will not regress over time, and early excision may be necessary.

Tummy Tuck Scar Revision Options

There are both surgical and non-surgical options for improving the appearance of tummy tuck scars.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Several non-surgical treatments can help improve the appearance of tummy tuck scars:

• Silicone Gel Sheets: Applied directly to the scar, these sheets help flatten and soften the tissue.
• Steroid Injections: Reduce scar thickness and alleviate itchiness or discomfort.
• Laser Therapy: Uses focused light to diminish redness and improve skin smoothness.
• Microneedling: Promotes collagen production to help the skin heal more aesthetically.
• Cryotherapy: Involves freezing the upper skin layers, leading to tissue removal.
• Topical Creams: Contain ingredients like vitamin E and onion extract that can help reduce scar visibility.

Treatment Option	How It Works	Best For
Silicone Sheets	Creates moisture barrier, hydrates scar	Newer scars, prevention	🔄
Steroid Injections	Reduces inflammation and collagen	Thick, raised scars	💉
Laser Therapy	Resurfaces skin, stimulates collagen	Redness, texture issues	🔆
Microneedling	Creates micro-injuries to boost healing	Texture, mild scars	🧵
Cryotherapy	Freezes and removes scar tissue	Small, raised scars	❄️
Topical Creams	Hydrates, delivers active ingredients	Early scar management	🧴

Surgical Revision Options

For more significant scar concerns, surgical revision might be necessary:

Surgical Excision: During this operation, the scar is shaved down and scar tissue is surgically removed to reduce the size of the scar. By excision of the scar, larger depressions can be eliminated, causing the skin to be smooth. Surgical revision of a scar will often change the orientation of the scar into a natural crease or use Z-plasties to make the scar less conspicuous.

Different techniques are used for scar revision, including Z-plasty and W-plasty. These techniques create irregular lines that help make the scar less visible and allow the surgeon to reposition the scar to line up with natural skin lines.

For belly button concerns, belly button revision (umbilicoplasty) can often be performed under local anesthesia with a very short recovery time.

Combination Approaches

Many plastic surgeons use a combination of techniques for optimal results:

Some surgeons use a meticulous incision closure technique that involves closing the incisions in layers to create scars so thin and consistent that they can be hidden with even the tiniest string bikini.

In more complex cases, surgeons might combine a tummy tuck revision with other procedures like 360° liposuction to create a more complete transformation of the abdominal area.

Tummy Tuck Scar Revision Cost

One of the most common questions patients have about scar revision is the cost. Several factors influence the overall price:

Cost Factors

Several factors contribute to the overall cost of a tummy tuck revision, including:

• Surgeon Fees: The experience and reputation of the surgeon play a significant role in the cost. Highly skilled surgeons with a track record of successful revisions typically charge higher fees.
• Location: Geographic location can greatly influence the cost. For instance, a tummy tuck revision in New York City or Los Angeles will likely be more expensive than one in a smaller town or city.
• Anesthesia Fees: The type and length of anesthesia used during the procedure also affect the cost.
• Facility Costs: The surgical facility’s quality and accreditation status can impact the overall cost.
• Complexity of the Revision: The extent of the revision required significantly influences the cost.

Average Costs

The average cost of non-surgical and minimally invasive tummy tuck scar treatments are:

• Dermal fillers: from $684 to $2,914, depending on the type of filler used
• Laser skin resurfacing: $1,445 for non-ablative treatment and $2,509 for ablative treatment

For surgical options: The surgeon’s fee for scar revision surgery ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. The cost can vary significantly depending on the surgeon’s location and experience, the size of the scar, and the technique being used.

Tummy tuck revision costs around $7,500 on average. Considering the number of complementary procedures that may help ensure optimal results, a tummy tuck revision can cost between 5-15 thousand dollars.

Treatment Type	Average Cost Range	What’s Usually Included
Non-surgical Options	$500-$3,000	Treatment sessions, follow-up
Minimally Invasive	$1,000-$3,500	Procedure, some follow-up
Surgical Revision	$2,000-$15,000	Surgery, anesthesia, facility fees

Insurance Coverage

Generally, tummy tuck revisions are considered cosmetic and are not covered by health insurance. However, there are exceptions:

If the revision is deemed medically necessary due to complications from the initial surgery, such as infection, excessive scarring, or functional impairment, insurance may cover part or all of the cost.

Healing Process After Scar Revision

Understanding the recovery process and timeline is essential for patients considering scar revision.

Immediate Post-Procedure Period

Immediately after the procedure, patients can expect their incision lines to appear red, raised, and swollen. This is a natural part of the healing process as the body begins to repair the incisions.

Early Healing Phase (6-8 Weeks)

Once your sutures are out and the skin is healed, you can start applying scar management products such as silicone gel sheets and creams to encourage healing and minimize the appearance of scars. Patients may also benefit from gentle, daily massage to prevent scar tissue build-up and keep the skin as soft and flexible as possible.

Later Healing Phase (3-6 Months)

During this secondary phase of healing, your tummy tuck scars are starting to fade and flatten. While they may still be visible, they’ll be lighter in color and blend in more with the surrounding skin.

Final Results (12+ Months)

By the one-year mark, most people have a healed tummy tuck scar. A tummy tuck scar after 1 year will have evolved from red to pink to a shade resembling the surrounding skin tone. In addition, it should be flat and smooth, although it may still be slightly visible.

Tips for Optimal Scar Healing

Whether you’re recovering from an initial tummy tuck or a scar revision procedure, these tips can help optimize your healing process:

• Avoid corticosteroids: If you take corticosteroids, talk to your healthcare provider about stopping the medication before surgery. Some corticosteroids can slow wound healing.
• Manage chronic diseases: Some conditions, such as diabetes, can complicate wound healing. Talk to your healthcare provider before your tummy tuck about how to manage health conditions.
• Stop smoking: Quitting smoking several months before your procedure can help your surgical wound heal.
• Take vitamin A: Your provider may recommend vitamin A supplements in the weeks and months leading up to surgery. Vitamin A can help speed wound healing. (Please check with your surgeon prior to starting vitamin A as it may interfere with medications you’re currently taking.)

Additional tips include:

• Wearing your compression garment to reduce tension on the incision while it heals
• Protecting your incision from the sun
• Following all of your postoperative and wound care instructions diligently

Choosing the Right Surgeon for Scar Revision

When choosing a plastic surgeon for scar revision surgery, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with them are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

While scar management therapies can help improve the appearance of tummy tuck scars, set yourself up for success by selecting a skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your tummy tuck or revision. Choosing a qualified, credentialed surgeon leads to safer procedures and better cosmetic outcomes while minimizing the need for revision procedures later on.

It’s important to seek cosmetic surgeries as extensive as tummy tucks from accomplished and reputed plastic surgeons, especially those who have achieved satisfying results for other people with similar before-and-after ideals. Most importantly, any plastic surgeon you trust with this procedure should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

Risks and Complications

Tummy tuck scar revision carries certain risks and complications, similar to any surgical procedure. These include:

• Infection: Can occur at the incision site
• Bleeding: Potential for excessive bleeding during or after surgery
• Scarring: While the goal is to reduce scar appearance, surgery can sometimes create new scars
• Allergic Reactions: To anesthesia or other materials used during surgery

Conclusion

Tummy tuck scar revision offers hope for patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdominoplasty scars. With a range of both surgical and non-surgical options available, most patients can find a solution that addresses their specific concerns.

The key to successful scar revision lies in selecting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, understanding the realistic expectations for improvement, and following proper pre-and post-procedure care protocols.

Remember that scars are a natural part of the healing process, and while they can be improved, complete elimination is often not possible. The goal of revision is to make scars less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing, allowing you to feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance.

Tummy Tuck in White Plains, NY

Achieve a flatter, more sculpted abdomen with a Tummy Tuck! Restore your confidence and redefine your silhouette. Book your consultation today and explore our exclusive offers. Contact us now to take the first step toward a more contoured and confident you!