The Eyesore vs. Scarring: The Latter, Please

Abdominoplasty leaves a scar along the bikini line and usually around the navel.  I have both as previous photos have shown.  It will not disappear, but in time (12-24 months), it should begin to fade.  It will be far less obtrusive than the fatty bulge, skin fold or however you refer to your eyesore that is to be removed. 

Although most scars are acceptable, poor scarring is the biggest drawback to this surgery.  People have different skin types so the scarring will be different dependent on that.

In people with light colored skin, the scar is usually red for a few months then fades.  In darkly pigmented people like blacks, asians, or latins, the scar may become and remain darker than the surrounding skin.  This is the case for me.  I am dark complected and my scar is dark currently.  Furthermore, the scar can become raised and tender which is called "hypertrophic or keloid scarring".  Sometime these types of scarring can be treated with cortisone tape or injections.  

Other scars that are wide or hyperpigmented may be improved with scar revisions.  A scar revision is usually performed at least 6 months after and typically at an additional cost.

Steri-strips, or tape, are the single most important factor that reduces scarring.  The tape helps flatten the scar and keep it from spreading or widening as the internal sutures dissolve.  The steri-strips are placed on your abdominal incisions after the sutures are removed.  Although, my experience did not include steri-strips. 

Most often the results of a tummy tuck are so favorable that scarring becomes a minimal consideration.  Before my surgery, I hated to have my eyesore exposed. Do NOT look at it. I repeat, DO NOT. I'd cover it with clothes, towel, blanket or whatever did the trick so no one had to look at it, especially myself.  I wasn't fond of it being touched either. If in a relationship, arms around the waist would make me cringe. Why?  Because that meant someone was touching it.  Um, I don't think so, huge no-no. Most times I didn't like it even when it was covered. It bothered me that much.

In wearing a swim suit, I was always aware of the fact that if I got in a pool, I'd have to get out.  Upon getting out, a bathing suit top and bottom (if it's a skort type) will create a suction and stick to your body which meant sticking to my fat gut which meant I'd be pulling on my swimsuit to pull it away and hurry to get a towel and wrap it around me and hopefully no one was looking when I got out. And that's merely one example of everyday events that would remind me of my extreme dislike for my stomach area.  It was equivalent to a huge deformity on my face, blatantly obvious and grotesque.  Heaven forbid I walked by a mirror to see it reflected.  Ew, twice over. And if you think I'm exaggerating details, think again. Even being a teenager with flat toned tan abs void of stretch marks, still I was self-conscious about it being seen.

Not only that, if I couldn't stand looking at it, how could I expect someone else to?  In my mind, they would see what I saw.  How could they not?  Nothing about it was sexy. Heck, it was the furthest thing from sexy. It wasn't pretty. It was nothing I wanted anyone to look at.  To be honest, that's how it caused me to feel a lot of times.  And even though I had perfected the ability to hide it with clothes, I lacked the ability to hide how it made me feel.  

Now, let's fast forward to the present.

I don't feel the impulsive need to wrap up in something or cover my mid-section when I get out of the shower. Being nude doesn't bother me like it did.  I really am less self-conscious about it. I am pleased with the scarring, it's low and able to be hidden under panties.  Of course a g-string type thong won't hide the entire scar but most panties or thongs with about a 3/4 - 1/2 inch side band conceals it. Although it's only been family that has asked to see it, I don't pause and resist.  Pleased with the results, I pull my waist band down and show the scar and the difference due to surgery and hope my hoo-ha can't be seen so as not to offend them.  Actually, I don't even think it'd bother me if it did.  I'd probably laugh about it.

For once, in a very very very long time, stretch marks and all, I like what I see.