People who have lost a ton of weight, mothers seeking a pre-pregnancy shape, and even bariatric patients are all examples of people who look for a tummy tuck to enhance the shape of their midsection. These surgical procedures are perhaps one of the more complicated types of cosmetic procedures out there, so it is only natural that you would be concerned about scarring. Scars naturally come along with just about any type of surgery, but with a tummy tuck, the scars can be a little larger. Here is a look at some of the most common questions about scarring with a tummy tuck. 

Where will the scars be located after a tummy tuck? 

For the most part, tummy tuck patients will have incisions around the lower parts of their waist or around the lower abdominal area. You may also have some scarring around your belly button if the skin around your belly button had to be repositioned. The goal for most surgeons is to make incisions in the most inconspicuous areas. Therefore, the incisions are made below the typical point where you would wear your pants and directly at the belly button where scars will be less noticeable. The lower abdominal scars can range in size depending on how much skin and tissue had to be removed during the procedure. 

How can you help prevent scarring during your healing process?

Your biggest defender of scarring is to follow your doctor's aftercare orders to the letter. Be mindful of what you eat, wear the compression belt as directed, care for your wounds properly, hydrate well, and get plenty of rest. Additionally, be careful with your movements so you do not tear any of the stitches because this can contribute to excess scarring. Everyone's body heals differently and at a different pace, so make sure you talk to your doctor about scarring during your follow-up appointments. 

Is it possible to improve the appearance of scars after you have healed?

There are actually things you can do to help minimize the appearance of scarring once your body has completely healed if you feel like your scars are a little too noticeable. Some people opt to go for laser scar treatment, which basically resurfaces that area of the skin in small increments to smooth scar tissue and give a more consistent appearance. You can also see some improvement by using scar-fading ointments, but the results are usually minimal.