What Will My Tummy Tuck Scars Look Like?
Posted July 10, 2025 in Plastic Surgery

This blog discusses all aspects of tummy tuck scarring, including where scars occur, typical incision locations, the appearance of the scars throughout the healing process, and strategies to minimize their visibility.
5 Min Read:
Table of Contents
- All About Abdominoplasty
- Where Are Tummy Tuck Scars Located?
- What Do Tummy Tuck Scars Look Like?
- Want to Learn More About Tummy Tucks in Coral Gables, FL?
All About Abdominoplasty
If you’re considering a tummy tuck, congratulations! This procedure is one of the most impactful body contouring procedures to date, eliminating loose, sagging skin, fat pockets, and repairing the abdominal wall for a smoother, flatter abdomen. These results cannot be achieved solely through diet and exercise, especially after significant body changes, such as massive weight loss or pregnancy.
As with all cosmetic procedures, tummy tucks require incisions, and many patients wonder what the scars will look like as healing progresses. We’ll break down everything you need to know about tummy tuck scars below.
Where Are Tummy Tuck Scars Located?
The location of your tummy tuck scar depends on the type of incision used during surgery. Scar positioning is a consideration that plastic surgeons take into account to minimize the risk of visible scarring.
The body contouring experts at Careaga Plastic Surgery, Dr. Careaga and Dr. William, offer various variations of abdominoplasty, each with distinct incision patterns tailored to the amount of skin removal and the level of necessary revision. Each tummy tuck procedure is tailored to meet the needs of each patient.
- A mini tummy tuck is best for patients who need minimal revision and who have sagging skin and loose muscles in the lower abdomen only. This focused procedure has one short incision, low on the abdomen, similar to that of a cesarean scar. There are no scars on the navel, as this area is not treated during surgery.
- A traditional or full tummy tuck is best for those who want to address their entire abdomen. This tummy tuck method requires an incision that runs horizontally from hip to hip, low on the abdomen, right above the pubic area. There is also a secondary scar around the navel. The placement of the main incision allows patients to easily conceal their scar with clothing, including bathing suits.
- An extended tummy tuck is best for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, including those who have undergone bariatric surgery or completed a medical weight loss program. This procedure provides the most comprehensive correction of loose skin and pockets of fat, and therefore has a larger scar. The incision for an extended tummy tuck reaches from hip to hip, sometimes going toward the lower back.
Our surgeons are highly experienced in body contouring procedures and pay attention to how the incisions will affect scarring. However, the ultimate decision of where to place incisions rests with the needs of the patient and how much revision is necessary.
What Do Tummy Tuck Scars Look Like?
Scars are a natural result of the body’s healing response, and they go through their own healing process, too. As your body heals, your scar undergoes various changes in its look and feel. We’ll discuss the different healing stages that patients generally experience below.
Tummy Tuck Scar Healing Process: Weeks 1–4
Immediately after your tummy tuck, you won’t have a scar; you’ll have an incision that is sutured together. Your incision lines will be raised, swollen, and red, sometimes even darker purple, like a fresh wound.
You can start scar aftercare when your sutures are removed or when they dissolve and the skin begins to heal. Your surgeon may recommend a specific scar cream or ointment to encourage healing and reduce the appearance of scars. Silicone sheets are another fantastic option to promote healing. You can also benefit from a gentle massage to help break down the scar tissue.
Scar care treatments will vary based on the recommendation of your surgeon. At Careaga Plastic Surgery, Dr. Careaga and Dr. William have effective post-op processes that are tailored to meet their patients’ individual needs.
It’s crucial to protect your scars from sun exposure, as this can cause them to develop darker pigmentation. Wearing your compression garment per your surgeon’s instructions is also key to scar prevention, as this minimizes tension on the healing tissues; stretching or pulling at the incision can cause more significant scarring.
Months 2–6
This transitional period is when your scar will begin to change from a raised, red line to a smoother, lighter shade of red or pink. It’s important to continue caring for your scar with continued scar maintenance; you may even wish to begin laser therapy with the OK from your surgeon.
Months 7–12
By the end of your first year post-op, your scar should be much less obvious than it once was: it should be closer to your skin tone and much flatter and smoother, but it will still be visible.
Years 1–5 and Beyond
Your scar will be mature by this point, and its appearance should be set. If healing went well, your scar should be difficult to see at first glance and smooth to the touch. You can also improve the appearance with laser resurfacing, although some amount of scarring is always possible, albeit not obvious.
Want to Learn More About Tummy Tucks in Coral Gables, FL?
Discover your options for tummy tucks with our experienced body contouring specialists, Dr. Daniel Careaga and Dr. Karl William Schwarz, at Careaga Plastic Surgery. Call us today at (305) 960-7511 or fill out the contact form to request a tummy tuck consultation.