Tummy Tuck Scar Revision: Treatment Options and Costs

Like with any open surgery, you can expect to have a scar following a tummy tuck procedure. Tummy tuck scars don't go away, but they do fade over time. A scar can take up to a year to fade as much as it's going to.¹

The good news is that there are things you can do at home or with the help of a cosmetic or plastic surgeon to help minimize the appearance of a tummy tuck scar.

What Is a Tummy Tuck Scar?

A tummy tuck scar forms over the incision where tummy tuck surgery is performed.¹ The scar is typically thin and located along the bikini line. Tummy tuck scars can be raised, pink or lighter or darker in color than the rest of your skin.²

How fast your incision heals depends on the skill of your surgeon and individual factors such as your age and state of health, whether or not you smoke and how you care for your incision while you're healing.¹

The type of tummy tuck you have also matters.

Are All Tummy Tuck Scars the Same?

Tummy tuck scars vary in size depending on the type of tummy tuck you have.²

• Full tummy tuck: This is the most common tummy tuck procedure. The scar runs along the pubic area from hip to hip, with a second scar around the navel.³
• Mini tummy tuck: This procedure is used for people with a small amount of fat below the belly. It leaves the smallest scar compared to the other types of tummy tucks. The scar is around the same size as a C-section scar, usually measuring between three and six inches long.²
• Extended (fleur-de-lis) tummy tuck: This type leaves the largest scar, which extends hip to hip, as well as a second scar that runs vertically from the pubic bone up to the breast bone. This technique is used for people with a lot of excess skin, usually due to multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss.²

Tummy Tuck Scar Prevention

You can't prevent a surgical scar, but if you're considering a tummy tuck and are concerned about scarring, there are measures you can take beforehand to minimize scarring:

• Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing abdominoplasty.¹
• Manage any chronic conditions that can affect wound healing, such as diabetes.²
• Follow presurgical instructions, such as quitting smoking or taking vitamin supplements to improve wound healing.²

How to Make a Tummy Tuck Scar Less Visible

A scar is part of the natural healing process after a tummy tuck, but how it looks depends on how well it heals.⁴

Here are some tips to help with the healing process and improve the appearance of a tummy tuck scar or any other type of wound, for that matter.

• Follow your surgeon's aftercare instructions. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to clean and care for your incisions, and which activities to avoid and for how long.¹

• Use topical treatments approved by your surgeon. Applying topical treatments once your surgeon says it's OK to do so can help keep your incision moisturized to reduce scabbing and itching and, ultimately, scarring.²

• Avoid sun exposure or tanning while healing. UV light exposure can cause discoloration or thickening of your scar. Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds while you're healing. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more for 12 to 18 months after your tummy tuck when you do spend time in the sun.²

• Don't pick at your scar. Scratching or picking at your incision can increase the risk of scarring and introduce bacteria into the wound that could cause infection. Avoid touching your incision except when cleaning and caring for it, and be sure your hands are clean when doing so.⁵

• Massage your scar. Scar massage can promote collagen remodeling, helping soften and flatten scars and reduce itching by increasing the skin's moisture and flexibility. You can gently massage the scar around two weeks after surgery as long as your sutures have been removed and any scabs have fallen off by themselves.⁶

• Quit smoking. Smoking can impair your wound healing. You will likely be advised to stop smoking before your tummy tuck and should continue to avoid smoking while you heal.⁷

Treatments for Tummy Tuck Scars

Both surgical and non-surgical options are available to treat a tummy tuck scar. Let's take a look at the options.

Non-surgical tummy tuck scar revision

Non-surgical treatments can help improve the appearance of tummy tuck scars.

• Topical treatments such as gels, compression and silicone tape can help an incision wound heal and help reduce pigmentation.⁸
• Injectable dermal fillers can be used to fill in depressed scars, though the results aren't permanent and would need to be repeated to maintain results.⁸
• Steroid injections can reduce collagen formation to improve the texture and appearance of a raised scar.⁷ Some surgeons may use steroid injections at the time of surgery or a few weeks after to reduce inflammation, or give them once a scar forms.²

Minimally invasive treatments for tummy tuck scars

Minimally invasive surface treatments can be used to reduce the appearance of a tummy tuck scar by removing the top layers of skin or changing the color and texture of the scarred tissue.

• Laser scar removal uses focused light beams to reduce the appearance of scars.
• Dermabrasion uses exfoliation and suction to remove the outer layer of skin.
• Chemical peels use chemical solutions to remove skin cells, making way for new ones.

Tummy tuck scar revision surgery

Very thick, raised or discolored scars may need to be surgically removed for the best results.

If necessary, scar revision surgery is typically done at least 12 months after a tummy tuck when the skin has had ample time to relax and the scar has faded as much as it's going to.²

Tummy tuck scar revision surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. The procedure involves cutting out the scar and closing the wound. 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 the natural direction of the skin's collagen fibers, helping improve flexibility and healing. Using a layered closure to suture the incision relieves tension on the scar and prevents it from widening during healing.⁹

How Much Does Tummy Tuck Scar Revision Cost?

The cost of tummy tuck scar revision varies significantly depending on the type of treatment you choose. Location and the number of treatments needed to achieve the desired results can also impact how much you'll pay.

According to the most recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of non-surgical and minimally invasive tummy tuck scar treatments are as follows.¹⁰

• 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
• Dermabrasion: $1,786
• Chemical peel: $519

These costs do not include related expenses, such as recovery supplies or facility or anesthesia fees.¹⁰

The surgeon's fee for scar revision surgery ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.¹¹ The cost can vary significantly depending on the surgeon's location and experience, the size of the scar and the technique being used.

Financing for Tummy Tuck Scar Revision with the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a tummy tuck scar revision and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.