How to Reduce Scars After Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)? A Roadmap to an Invisible Recovery (Dr. Ahmet Kaplan – Istanbul)
Hello from Istanbul, I am Dr. Ahmet Kaplan. As a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon welcoming patients from all over the world to our clinic in Turkey, I see that sparkling excitement in the eyes of my patients: The dream of a flat stomach, a snatched waist, and a fit appearance. However, right after that excitement, comes the inevitable question with a slightly lowered voice: “Doctor, what about the scar? Will it be very visible?”
Let me give you the most honest answer as a surgeon: In plastic surgery, there is no such thing as “scarless” surgery, but there is “hidden” and “well-healed” scarring.
A tummy tuck is a “trade-off.” You give away sagging skin, stretch marks, and deformed abdominal muscles; in return, you get a flat stomach and a thin line hidden inside your underwear.
In this article, leveraging the high standards we apply here in Istanbul, we will discuss what you need to do to make this trade-off work in your favor, the medical secrets to fading that line over time, and the art of “scar management.” Remember, the fate of the scar is 50% in the surgeon’s hands and 50% in your care after you return home.
The Biology of Scars: Why Do They Form and How Do They Change?
Scars are the body’s natural “glue.” When skin integrity is broken, the body produces collagen to repair that area. However, this new tissue has a different texture and color than normal skin.
A tummy tuck scar is like a living organism; it changes character over time:
First 3 Months (Red Phase): The scar may be red, raised, and hard. This shows the body is doing intense repair work there. Don’t worry, this is when it looks its “worst.”
3-12 Months (Maturation): The scar slowly loses its color, turns pink, and flattens.
12-18 Months (Result): The scar becomes a thin line, close to pearlescent or skin color.
Our goal is to accelerate this process and ensure the scar remains as faint as possible.
Step 1: The Surgeon’s Duty (Scar Treatment Starts in the Operating Room)
The most important step in scar treatment is taken before the wound is even closed. As Dr. Ahmet Kaplan, I focus on the “Tension-Free” closure technique in my surgeries in Turkey.
Bikini Line Planning: I plan the scar as low as possible, at the level of a C-section scar or lower. This way, even when you wear the lowest-rise bikini on your next holiday, your scar remains hidden.
Multi-Layer Suturing: We stitch the skin not with a single thread, but layer by layer. We place the load not on the skin surface, but on the strong tissues underneath. This is the most crucial technical detail that prevents the scar from widening.
Step 2: Your Duty (Scar Management During Recovery)
From the moment you leave our hospital in Istanbul to recover at your hotel and eventually fly home, you are in the driver’s seat. Here are the “Golden Rules” to minimize your scar:
Reduce Tension: Walk Hunched
For the first 10-14 days after surgery, avoiding tension on the incision line is vital.
The Rule: Do not try to stand up straight. Walking slightly bent forward (hunched) and placing pillows under your legs while sleeping relaxes the abdominal skin. The less tension on the suture line, the thinner the scar remains. This is especially important during your flight home from Turkey.
Silicone Tapes and Gels (The Gold Standard)
Once the wound is completely closed and scabs have fallen off (usually starting from the 3rd week), we begin using silicone products, the most powerful weapon in scar treatment.
How It Works: Silicone keeps the skin moist, reduces static electricity, and regulates collagen production to prevent the scar from becoming raised (hypertrophic).
Usage: I recommend using silicone tapes or gels regularly for at least 3 months, ideally 6 months. You can easily find these products in your home country or purchase them here in Istanbul before you leave.
Escape the Sun: UV Protection
A newly healing scar is defenseless against the sun. If that area is exposed to the sun, it can permanently turn dark brown (hyperpigmentation).
Precaution: Absolutely protect your scar from the sun for the first year or cover it with very high factor (SPF 50+) stick sunscreens.
Stay Away from Smoking (Most Important Warning)
Smoking constricts the capillaries in the skin and cuts off the oxygen going to that area. A wound deprived of oxygen does not heal well, may open, and ultimately leaves a wide, bad-looking scar. For a perfect scar, smoking is strictly forbidden during the healing process.
Step 3: Professional Support (What If Scars Are Stubborn?)
Sometimes, due to genetic factors, scars may remain more visible than we expect. In such cases, additional treatments come into play:
Laser Treatments (Fractional Laser)
Starting from the 6th month of healing, laser treatments can be applied to lighten the color of the scar and equalize its texture with the rest of the skin. This is very effective in “blurring” the scar. We offer these treatments at our clinic in Istanbul if you visit us again, or we can guide you to seek them locally.
Steroid Injections
If we notice raising in the scar (onset of keloid), we inject tiny doses of steroids into that area to make the scar flatten again.
Conclusion: This Scar is Part of Your Victory
The answer to how to reduce scars after abdominoplasty lies in patience, correct care, and surgeon-patient cooperation.
Remember, that thin line symbolizes the end of your sagging belly that you no longer have to hide, the clothes you couldn’t fit into, and the days you were unhappy with mirrors. Most of my patients say this when they see that thin line at the end of 1 year: “It was worth it.”
I am Dr. Ahmet Kaplan. I am with you at every stage of the process, from pre-op planning in Istanbul to your final check-up via video call from your home country. We will work together to capture the best form with the least scarring.
Wishing you joy with your new body.
Dr. Ahmet Kaplan Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Istanbul, Turkey
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I get a tattoo over the tummy tuck scar?
Yes, this is a very popular and aesthetic solution. However, I recommend waiting at least 1 year (preferably 18 months) for the scar to fully mature and take its final color. If you rush, you may damage the healing tissue.
Q2: When will my scar completely disappear?
No surgical scar completely “disappears.” However, at the end of 12-18 months, it becomes a very thin line close to your skin tone. For most of our patients, this scar poses no problem as long as it stays under underwear.
Q3: What is done if a keloid (raised scar) forms?
Keloids occur in people with a genetic predisposition. If you have such a history in your family or previous wounds, it is very important to share this with me during our consultation in Istanbul. If it occurs, we can control it with silicone pressure treatments, steroid injections, or laser.
Q4: Do over-the-counter scar creams work?
Yes, the active ingredients in these creams regulate wound healing. However, using them not randomly, but with the timing I recommend after your stitches are removed (or dissolved) and by massaging the area increases the effect.
Q5: When can I start laser treatment?
It is generally safe to start laser treatments after the 3rd or 4th month, when the wound is completely closed and the acute healing period is over. Early intervention can sometimes help lighten the scar color faster.
