Before getting abdominoplasty surgery, many patients are concerned about scarring. Where will my scar be placed? How prominent will it be? How can I minimise abdominoplasty scars?
These are good questions to ask in the lead-up to surgery. By understanding side effects such as scarring, you can weigh the upsides and downsides of the procedure, helping you to make informed decisions. It can also prepare you for the aftercare and recovery process and give you realistic expectations for what abdominoplasty surgery can achieve.
Brisbane Plastic Surgeon, Dr Andrew Broadhurst, understands that scarring is a concern for many abdominoplasty patients. Informed by his experience, he aims to place scars carefully and help patients through each stage of the aftercare process. For more details about scar management, book a consultation with Dr Broadhurst.
Abdominoplasty scars: what to expect
Abdominoplasty (surgery on the abdomen) can be a good choice for men or women who are healthy, good candidates, and want to improve their abdomen. However, it’s a good idea to be fully aware of the downsides that come along with it – such as the post-surgery process and scar management.
It’s true that certain methods can minimise scarring and help your incisions heal nicely. But you should also keep in mind the following facts about surgical scars:
- All surgeries result in unavoidable scarring
- Although scars fade with time, they don’t fully disappear
- Scar formation is somewhat unpredictable
- Some patients may be prone to large scars (keloid scars, for example)
- Scar placement depends on the requirements of your specific surgery
- Poor scarring is a risk of surgery
Knowing these things helps patients understand what they can realistically expect. From there, you can start to consider how to minimise and manage your scars after abdominoplasty, following the informed guidance of Dr Broadhurst.
Abdominoplasty scar placement
Abdominoplasty scars are usually placed in the lower abdomen. Typically, the surgeon makes the incision horizontally, from one side to the other.
However, the exact placement of your scar might depend on your particular needs and the requirements of your surgery. If you only have a small amount of abdominal skin to remove, then you might undergo a ‘mini’ abdominoplasty, which involves a shorter incision. In other cases, a patient with a large amount of excess tissue on both the upper and lower abdomen might undergo a ‘fleur-de-lis’ abdominoplasty. This technique involves an additional incision vertically down the abdomen.
Therefore, to understand the exact placement of your scarring, you will need to know which techniques are involved in your surgery. You can find this out by discussing a surgical plan with an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr Andrew Broadhurst.
Consulting with Dr Broadhurst
The best way to know what your abdominoplasty will involve – the techniques, possible results, recovery, costs, risks, and scarring – is to consult with a specialist plastic surgeon. Meeting with a qualified surgeon such as Dr Broadhurst allows you to discuss the procedure with a mind for your individual goals and desires.
Patients may have different expectations for their surgical scars, different skin types, and different surgical requirements. So, the consultation gives you the chance to understand what you can expect in your particular case. You can express your goals and concerns, and ask any questions you might have about abdominoplasty surgery. This way, you can ensure that you and Dr Broadhurst are on the same page and that your expectations are reasonable and realistic. Contact our team to book an appointment with Brisbane Plastic Surgeon.
Post-surgery scar management
Initial Recovery
Before you think about scar management or minimisation, the first step is proper wound care. Scars are the body’s natural way of healing a wound, and it’s important to facilitate this natural healing process in order to avoid complications.
In the first days and weeks after surgery, your body will be busy healing the wound created by your abdominoplasty. This typically leads to scar tissue that may appear red, large, and raised above the skin. This process is completely normal after surgery. You can (and should) help your body through this initial healing process by:
- Maintaining appropriate wound care, such as keeping your incision clean and dry
- Taking care to not irritate or put pressure on your abdomen
- Avoiding putting a strain on your abdominal muscles, which means you shouldn’t lift anything heavy or perform any strenuous activities
- Sleeping in the appropriate position: with your upper body slightly elevated and an extra pillow under your legs
- Following all other aftercare instructions
- Completing the recovery before you worry about scarring; in other words, do not seek scar minimisation treatments before your wound has fully healed
The better your body is able to heal in this initial recovery, the more effectively your abdominoplasty scars will be able to mature and fade afterwards.
Scar Management Techniques
After your incision has healed and scar tissue has formed, you can then shift focus to scar management. Make sure that you discuss these techniques with Dr Broadhurst to find out which methods might work best for you. There are many topical scar management treatments out there, which can aid the scar maturation process:
- Topical creams and ointments
- Silicone sheets
- Laser treatments
Remember that the best thing you can do for your scars is to be careful with the wound as it’s healing. Make sure you follow all instructions given by Dr Broadhurst, including wearing your surgical support garment and getting enough rest during recovery. This way, your body will have the chance to develop scar tissue naturally.
It’s also important to remember that scars change in appearance over time. Your scar will not look the same a few weeks after surgery as it will after a year or more. The natural scar maturation process should reduce the visibility of your scar tissue – which means even though the scar will remain, you can expect it to fade in colour, texture, and prominence. Additionally, the extent of your scarring may depend on the details of your surgery, including whether it is a combination procedure with breast surgery.
The risk of poor scarring
In rare cases, patients might experience poor scarring outcomes. This is one of the risks of surgery to be aware of.
Some patients have a skin type that is prone to large scarring (such as keloids or hypertrophic scars). If you believe you may be prone to large scars, you should discuss this with Dr Broadhurst during your consultation. He can then create a treatment plan that is informed by the relevant information about your skin type and predispositions.
Poor scarring outcomes can also be a result of not following the aftercare instructions or not being careful with your wound care. To address the problem, Dr Broadhurst might recommend a revisional procedure or another suitable treatment option.
Choose Dr Broadhurst for abdominoplasty surgery in Brisbane
Brisbane Plastic Surgeon, Dr Andrew Broadhurst, is committed to quality surgical practices and personal patient care. He understands that abdominoplasty scars can be a point of hesitation for many patients and works to ease these concerns by giving well-informed and appropriate advice. Since each patient has different needs and desired results, Dr Broadhurst takes care to discuss individual surgical plans with each patient, including their personal concerns about scarring.
During your consultation, you should ask questions not only about the potential benefits of the procedure but also about the possible side effects. Make sure you have a good idea of what to expect in terms of surgical scars before you decide to commit to surgery. To learn more about abdominoplasty scars, visit our abdominoplasty procedure page or get in touch to book your private consultation.
