A Tummy Tuck (also called Abdominoplasty) is a very popular procedure to remove excess skin from the abdominal area. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were approximately 148,410 Tummy Tuck procedures performed by member surgeons in 2007.
The majority of the time, this procedure results in a greatly improved appearance for the patient. The stomach becomes flatter and firmer and the waste narrower. Many patients may even show improved self esteem because they feel more confident and comfortable with their bodies after this procedure.
While the positives of this procedure are many, there are also a few drawbacks. To many the biggest of these is the fact that scars are unavoidable. The length and type of incision a surgeon uses will determine how extensive the scars will be. Many if not most Tummy Tuck surgeries result in a scar from hip to hip. The larger the amount of skin removed, the larger the scar is likely to be. These scars are very bothersome to many patients that have undergone Tummy Tuck procedures.
As is the case with other types of scars, there are options for treating Tummy Tuck scars that range from surgery to topical gels and creams.