Is my tummy tuck scar healing normally?
Most tummy tuck scars heal without trouble. A small number do not, and the earlier a problem is recognised, the simpler it usually is to treat. This guide explains what normal healing looks like and which changes deserve a prompt review.
What normal healing looks like
An abdominoplasty scar runs low across the abdomen, usually from hip to hip, and there is often a second scar around the belly button. Healing follows a predictable pattern:
- Days 1 to 7. The wound line is closed, slightly swollen and may be a little pink. Small amounts of clear or pale pink fluid on the dressing are common. Tightness when you stand up straight is expected.
- Weeks 2 to 3. Stitches or tapes are removed or dissolve. The scar is a thin red or pink line. Itching is common and is a normal part of healing.
- Weeks 4 to 12. The scar may look more raised and redder for a while. This is the remodelling phase, not a sign of failure.
- Months 3 to 18. The scar gradually flattens, softens and fades. Final appearance takes up to 12 to 18 months.
Signs that need a review
Contact your surgeon or a wound care team if you notice any of the following:
- A gap opening along the wound line, even a small one
- Redness that spreads outwards from the scar, or skin that feels hot
- Thick, cloudy, yellow or green discharge, or a bad smell
- Pain that increases after the first few days instead of settling
- Dark, black or dusky skin near the centre of the scar or around the belly button
- A fluctuant swelling above the scar that feels like a water balloon (this can be a seroma, a collection of fluid)
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
If you have a high fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain or feel very unwell, go to an emergency department straight away.
Why tummy tuck wounds sometimes break down
The centre of the lower scar is under the most tension and is furthest from its blood supply. Smoking and nicotine products, diabetes, a high body mass index, combining the tummy tuck with liposuction of the same area, seroma and infection all increase the risk. Sometimes there is no obvious cause.
What treatment involves
Treatment depends on the size and depth of the wound. Small superficial separations often heal with careful dressings. Larger or deeper wounds may need removal of dead tissue (debridement), negative pressure wound therapy (VAC), treatment of any infection and, once the wound bed is healthy, closure.
Our approach is to use the surrounding healthy skin wherever possible, rather than taking a skin graft that creates a second wound elsewhere. The aim is a healed wound and a scar that still sits low and looks as close as possible to the result you planned.
What you can do at home
- Follow your surgeon's dressing and garment instructions exactly
- Avoid smoking and all nicotine products
- Keep blood sugar well controlled if you have diabetes
- Avoid bending backwards or stretching the scar for the first weeks
- Take a clear photo of the scar every few days in the same light. Changes are easier to spot and to show a doctor.
Getting help
If your tummy tuck scar is opening, discharging or not healing as expected, whether your surgery was in Dubai or abroad, our team at Dubai London Hospital, Jumeirah can assess it. Send a photo on WhatsApp or use the enquiry form.
Send a photo and a short description and our team will advise on the next step.
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This article gives general information and does not replace medical advice. Treatment decisions are made only after an in-person examination. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department.