For anyone who has achieved their goal of significant weight loss, post-bariatric skin removal surgery can eliminate excess skin that hasn’t shrunk back into place. This surgery creates slimmer contours and a more natural look, but some patients worry about scarring following surgery. Skin removal surgery does cause scars, but they may be less visible based on factors like surgical technique and post-operative care.
At our office in Minneapolis, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. George Landis uses his extensive surgical skill and decades of experience to place incisions in less visible areas to expertly camouflage them in your natural creases. Below, discover what this surgery entails, what causes scarring, and how you can help your incisions heal and scars fade.
What Is Post-Bariatric Skin Removal Surgery?
When you lose considerable weight, your skin may not shrink back to its original size and shape. This extra skin left behind may hang from anywhere you’ve experienced massive fat loss, like your arms, breasts, flanks, stomach, buttocks, and thighs.
During post-bariatric skin removal surgery, also called a body lift, your surgeon makes carefully placed incisions and removes excess skin. Once the skin has been removed, the two edges are brought back together and secured with sutures or staples.
Why Does Skin Removal Surgery Leave Scars?
As your body heals your incisions and fuses your skin back together, a protein called collagen forms a scar. This rebuilding is a normal part of the healing process, and many scars fade over time. Although surgical scarring is impossible to prevent, the appearance of scars from skin removal surgery is minimized through Dr. Landis’s expert surgical technique and incision placement.
What Types of Incisions Are Used in Post-Bariatric Surgery?
Post-bariatric surgery involves a few different types of incisions, depending on location and how much skin needs to be removed. These include:
Anchor (Inverted-T) Incision: Most often used in tummy tucks, this incision runs across the lower abdomen. It then runs from the middle of that incision up along the stomach’s middle, making an upside-down “T.”
Fleur-de-Lis Incision: When a larger amount of skin must be removed during an abdominoplasty, this incision offers an extended version of the anchor.
Bilateral (Extended) Incision: Common in lower body lifts, this incision runs around the waist to remove skin from the stomach, hips, and low back.
Medial Thigh Incision: Used for thigh skin removal, this incision runs along the inner thigh.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Incision: For arm skin removal, this incision runs along the inner or back side of the upper arm.
How Visible Are Scars After Skin Removal Surgery?
After your incisions have fully healed, you may notice a thin, pale line where your skin was brought together. Surgical incisions have a much lower chance of visibility and can also be even less noticeable when strategically placed in a natural crease or hairline.
For example, for a tummy tuck, incisions in the pubic area or bikini line can be concealed or may be fully hidden by clothing. In a thigh or buttock lift, your surgeon may place incisions in the natural crease of the groin or beneath your buttocks. During your consultation, Dr. Landis can recommend the appropriate surgical technique with the least chance of visible scars.
Ways to Minimize Scarring After Surgery
You can minimize scarring after surgery by carefully following the post-operative instructions provided by our office. Depending on your procedure, these may include:
Avoid stretching or tension to the surgical site until it is healed
Keep your incisions clean and moisturized
If indicated, use silicone sheets or gels over the incision after the initial healing period (1 to 2 weeks)
Avoid sun exposure to your incision
Stay hydrated and eat a nutritious, balanced diet for optimal healing
Laser Treatments, Silicone Sheets, and Other Scar-Reduction Options
After your incision has healed, you can pursue scar reduction options, which can help improve scar texture, color, and thickness. These options include:
Laser therapy, which can be performed with techniques like fractional laser resurfacing, pulsed yellow dye laser therapy, and CO2 lasers.
Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the scar tissue, triggering your body’s natural healing process.
Chemical peels and dermabrasion exfoliate the top layers of skin, helping the scar fade over time.
Steroid injections, which are typically used only for thick, raised scars.
How Long Does It Take for Scars to Fade?
Surgical scars usually take 12 to 18 months to fade. At first, scars may look red and raised, but they lighten and flatten over time. How fast your scars heal depends on factors like skin type, genetics, and post-operative care. Good care after surgery can speed up scar fading.
Choosing a Skilled Surgeon for the Best Scar Placement and Healing
If you’re planning to have post-bariatric skin removal surgery but worry about scarring, Dr. George Landis can help you. With extensive experience, Dr. Landis has expert knowledge and surgical skills to offer you the body you want with minimal scarring. While no surgeon can promise the complete absence of scars, Dr. Landis will work with you to develop a surgical plan to heal and hide scars well.Get in touch with our Minneapolis office online or by calling (952) 562-5940 with any additional questions or to schedule a consultation.