If you have lost a significant amount of weight, then you may notice a great deal of excess skin around the abdomen. Some of this skin may be attached to a layer of fat, and this can produce an unnatural and unappealing appearance. If this is concerning to you, then you can speak with a cosmetic surgeon about scheduling a tummy tuck. The operation involves the removal of the skin and the tightening of the muscles. One of the drawbacks of the surgery is the appearance of a scar along the abdomen. This appearance of the scar can be minimized with the following tips.

Make Sure The Incision Is Low

Most full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty operations require the placement of two separate incisions. One incision is horizontal and sits just below the top of the panty line. This incision allows the surgeon to pull the skin away from the abdomen so it can be trimmed. A round or vertical incision is also needed to reposition the belly button so it sits naturally after the procedure. 

If you are concerned about the position of the incisions and the possibility of noticeable scars, then speak with the cosmetic professional about inspecting the incision marks before the operation takes place. Marks will be placed on the skin where incisions need to be made. In many cases, the horizontal scar will be the most noticeable, so make sure it sits below the area where a bikini bottom will cover it. Wearing a pair of bikini underwear or a bikini bottom on the day of surgery can help to ensure the proper placement of the incision line.

Also, make sure your surgeon pulls on the skin when you assess the incision area. The incision will shift slightly as the skin is removed, and the scar will be a bit higher than expected when this happens.

Use Creams And Avoid The Sun

Your incision area will need to heal for some time, and the appearance of the scar will change as time passes. It can take up to a year or more for a scar to fully heal, and your treatment of the scar will directly affect the way it looks. During the first month after surgery, the incision will go through the initial inflammation and rebuilding stages. Your wound will be red or bright pink at this time, and collagen will form to produce the scar tissue.

As the skin regeneration process occurs, the scar will mature. Full maturation can take up to a year. As the scar ages, collagen is produced in flat bands that sit narrowly across the skin. The scar will fade and appear pale as the maturation process completes.

During the rebuilding phase, it is wise to use gels and creams to help the incision area heal. Silicone gels are a good choice. These gels are self-drying and help to keep the scar tissue moist. They also keep bacteria away from the wound, reduce itching sensations, and stop the overgrowth of collagen. These things can all help with the creation of smooth and pale scar tissue.

Also, you should keep the incision site covered and away from direct sunlight for about one year. Scar tissue does not contain the same protective melanin that your other skin cells have. This means that the scar can burn fairly easily when exposed to ultraviolet sun rays. This can cause the permanent darkening of the scar tissue and a bright red or pink scar that will not fade over time. 

It is wise to wear light clothing over the scar and to also apply sunscreen over the area. Sunscreen will prevent sun damage issues if the sun's rays do happen to come into contact with the scar area. For more information, check out a site like http://christinenygaard.com/.