Tummy Tucks & Stretch Marks: What You Need to Know
- Written by News Company
Many patients who are considering a tummy tuck don’t always have sagging skin and muscle – some patients are concerned about their stretch marks instead.
A Closer Look at Stretch Marks
Almost every woman will have or currently has stretch marks. This frustrating issue becomes even more prominent after pregnancy when the stomach area is stretched.
Unfortunately, even though it’s completely possible to regain your shape and achieve your post-pregnancy weight through diet and exercise, there isn’t a whole lot that can be done to remove stretch marks. Yes, there are creams and supplements on the market that can slightly reduce the appearance of stretch marks but only to a certain degree.
Living with stretch marks when you’ve worked hard to get to lose weight or get your post-pregnancy body back can be frustrating and affect your self-esteem.
Your skin is very resilient but it can only tolerate so much stretching before the deeper layers of the skin tear and cause stretch marks, and once stretch marks occur, they are permanent.
All stretch marks start out as red lines that later change to white scars. A number of studies also suggest that stretch marks can become more severe if there is a lack of collagen.
Removing Stretch Marks with a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck surgery specialist such as Dr Perron is capable of removing stretch marks and excess skin, while also tightening and contouring the stomach during an abdominoplasty procedure.
With this being said, patients will also need to set realistic expectations about the results of their surgery because there is a chance that some stretch marks will remain.
During a tummy tuck, a long or short incision will need to be made between the hips in order to access any excess skin and fat as well as loose muscle. The length of your incision will depend on how much skin needs to be removed but either way, your scar will be hidden underneath your bikini line.
Stretch marks tend to appear below the belly button and since most of the skin in this area is removed during a tummy tuck, the stretch marks will be removed along with it.
A tummy tuck is recommended for those who want to get rid of stretch marks but also want to remove loose skin or repair loose muscles. A tummy tuck shouldn’t really be pursued to get rid of stretch marks alone unless you really have tried everything else to get rid of them.
If this is a procedure that you are interested in, schedule a consultation with a reputable, board certified plastic surgeon who will be able to assess your specific case and make the relevant recommendations.
If you will be going this route, it’s important to remember that a tummy tuck will leave you with a different kind of scar but for many, trading a single scar and a flat stomach for a large number of stretch marks is well worth it.
