You've tried dieting, exercising, and making healthy lifestyle changes, and yet the fat on your stomach just won't disappear. No matter what you do, you just can't seem to get rid of it, and it's starting to seriously impact your self-confidence.

If this is something you're going through, you've probably considered getting a tummy tuck.

There are many reasons why someone would get a tummy tuck. Maybe pregnancy has changed the way your stomach looks. Maybe you've had serious weight loss, but it's caused the skin on your stomach to sag. Maybe your stomach fat is just something you've always been self-conscious of. Regardless of your reasoning, getting a tummy tuck might be the solution you've been looking for.

But getting a tummy tuck is a serious procedure that you should do extensive research about prior to getting. It's not something you can just decide to get overnight. Recovering from a tummy tuck can take up to six weeks, not to mention you will have scarring.

In this blog post, we'll be discussing what happens during a tummy tuck, what a tummy tuck before and after looks like, how big the scars will be, and more. Healing from a tummy tuck is a serious process, so make sure you're prepared for what's in store.

What Happens During a Tummy Tuck?

Before you go in for surgery, it's important to know exactly what happens during the procedure. So let's discuss what a tummy tuck is:

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of someone's abdomen. The goal of the procedure is to remove excess skin and fat that usually happens after pregnancy or significant weight loss. During the procedure, an incision is made to remove this excess skin and tighten the skin in your abdomen. Because a lot of skin is removed, this incision will result in a scar.

There are two types of tummy tucks: A full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck.

• A full tummy tuck is a more intense procedure as it removes excess skin in the abdomen and tightens muscles. In a full tummy tuck, an incision is made from hip to hip and around the belly button. The skin is then elevated and the abdominal muscles are repaired. Then, the skin is pulled down and the excess skin and fat is removed. The incision will be closed with stitches, but you'll be left with a scar. Because a full tummy tuck is a more intense surgery, the healing process is longer and scarring will be more apparent.
• A mini tummy tuck, on the other hand, isn't as invasive as it just removes skin in the lower abdomen. It doesn't tighten any skin above the upper or middle abdomen and there is no incision around the belly button. While a mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, the healing process is still quite long and you'll still have scars.

Whether you choose a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck ultimately depends on what you want your stomach to look like and how much time you have to heal. The healing process post-surgery differs from patient to patient. Typically, it takes about six weeks to heal, but this can vary. A few factors influence healing time, such as:

• Age
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Overall health and well-being
• Size and depth of the wound

Right after surgery, your scar will likely look red and swollen. It's important to keep the scar clean and bandaged at all times to prevent infection. Here is what you can expect with the healing process:

• One month after surgery, the scar color should have faded to dark red or brown. The scar may still be slightly swollen at this point.
• Two to three months after surgery, the incision should be completely healed. The scar may still look slightly puffy, but it should start to flatten over time. The scars will likely still be red in color.
• After six months, the scars will still be visible but the red color should continue to fade into a light pink or brown.
• One full year after the surgery, you should be fully healed and the scar should be significantly less noticeable.

It's a good idea to check out tummy tuck scars before and after photos to get a better idea of exactly what the scarring will look like.

Where are Tummy Tuck Scars Typically Located?

The location of tummy tuck scars depends on the extent of the procedure, but scars are typically located in these areas:

• Pelvic region: You'll have a scar across your lower abdomen from hip to hip and it will be located under your belly button but above your pubic region.
• Belly button area: You'll only have a scar on your belly button area if you get a full tummy tuck.
• Vertical scarring: A vertical scar is sometimes necessary for certain procedures when a patient has a lot of excess skin to tighten. This scar will be located in the midline of your stomach.
• Irregular scarring: Irregular scarring is rare but possible. Some examples of irregular scars include hypertrophic scars and keloid scars. These scars typically occur from an excess of collagen.

Looking at tummy tuck before and after scar photos should help you better understand where these scars are located, so you know what you're in for prior to surgery.

How can I Hide my Tummy Tuck Scar?

Now that you know a little bit more about the appearance of tummy tuck scars and where they’re located, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to hide them. You shouldn’t let the fear of scarring stop you from getting a tummy tuck. Usually, scars are positioned in areas where they can be easily hidden beneath undergarments and swimwear. So you can get a tummy tuck and still don your favorite bikini this summer, without worrying about your scars being visible.

In addition to just hiding your tummy tuck scar underneath clothing, you can hide your scar in a few other ways. The first option is easy: get your tummy tuck done in the winter. The healing process can take a while, but if you get the surgery done in the winter, scarring should be considerably more healed by the time summer rolls around.

The second option is choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who knows how to hide tummy tuck scars well. The right surgeon will make sure to position the scar in a location that can be hidden underneath a bathing suit. They’ll discuss this with you prior to surgery so that you can make a decision about the location together. A good surgeon will also know how to reposition the belly button properly to make it look natural.

Ultimately, how a scar heals will depend on each patient. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize scarring, like by using embrace^® tummy tuck scar treatment kits. These kits help to minimize the appearance of scars with an applicator that reduces tension on the skin. Tension is a main cause of scarring, but the applicator in this kit protects your skin from everyday movement while keeping your scar hydrated. Using this kit will improve your healing process and result in a lighter and flatter scar.

How Big is the Scar After a Tummy Tuck?

No matter what type of tummy tuck procedure you get, you will have scarring. But what may differ from patient to patient is the size of the scar. A mini tummy tuck scar can be just a few centimeters, while a full tummy tuck scar can reach over the sides of your hips to your back.

You can also get a mommy makeover, which is a tummy tuck in addition to a breast augmentation. Mommy makeover scars are similar to tummy tuck scars, except there will be scarring around your breasts as well. Fortunately, mommy makeover scars are relatively easy to hide with undergarments.

Another option is getting liposuction with a tummy tuck, which is called a lipoabdominoplasty. This is a much more invasive surgery, so make sure you look at tummy tuck with lipo before and after photos so you can have a better idea if it’s the right procedure for you.

How Long After a Tummy Tuck Do You See Results?

After an intense surgery and a tiring healing process, you're probably very eager to finally see results. Once the initial swelling after your surgery subsides, you should start to see your tummy tuck results within a week or two. Your stomach should appear flatter and tighter and look more proportionate with your body.

Final Notes

So now that you have a better idea of what tummy tuck before and after results will look like, you can make a more informed decision if this is the right choice for you. A tummy tuck is a major surgery and is not something you should go into uninformed.

It's important to understand that there is a long healing process and scarring involved—but that shouldn't deter you from getting a tummy tuck if it's what you really want. If you're worried about the appearance of scarring, check out the embrace^® tummy tuck scar kit as a way to enhance the results of your plastic surgery procedure. Take the time to care for your scars correctly so you can be on your way to sporting your new body with newfound confidence in no time.