Most people who are considering having bariatric surgery have many questions about what to expect from the procedure, the recovery, and if they will be left with bariatric surgery scars.
They often ask, “Will I be left with bariatric surgery scars?”
Yes. Scarring is to be expected and cannot be avoided after any type of surgery. How severe or visible your bariatric surgery scars will be will depend on the technique used and the exact procedure you have undergone.
What Causes Bariatric Surgery Scars To Form?
When your skin is cut or injured, your body begins its built-in healing process. It starts making new collagen and elastin to repair the injury.
Instead of manufacturing it slowly and carefully in a tight-knit basketweave formation, your body makes it quickly and in no particular pattern, which results in a scar.
What Do Bariatric Surgery Scars Look Like?
Most laparoscopic bariatric surgery scars are thin and short, but can be different lengths and placed in different locations on the abdomen depending on the type of surgery performed.
Most bariatric surgeries performed today are done laparoscopically because it is much less invasive than traditional surgery. Laparoscopic surgery does not use one large incision but several smaller incisions that are placed strategically around the abdomen.
These incisions are used to insert special surgical tools and a tiny camera to perform the operation. The resulting scars may be pink or red, or look very dark at first, but they normally flatten and fade with time. Your skin type, genetics, and age can all influence how visible any scarring will be, but some people are more prone to scarring than others or developing keloids, which are raised, puffy-looking scars.
Bariatric Scars By Technique
Most laparoscopic bariatric procedures are done using what is known as a multi-port method. This involves making 4 or 5 small incisions in the abdomen so the surgeon can use thin medical instruments to reach the stomach and make alterations to the digestive system.
In some cases, a single port method is used where only one incision is created inside the belly button. The surgeon uses just this one entry point to complete the operation, and the scar is very well hidden.
Gastric Sleeve Scars
A surgeon normally creates 4 or 5 small incisions when performing Vertical Sleeve Gastectomy ( VSG) surgery. The resulting gastric sleeve scars are normally about ½ to ¾ of an inch long and are placed around the belly button and below the breastbone. The exact placement can vary depending on the technique used by the surgeon.
Gastric Bypass Surgery Scars
Gastric bypass leaves the same scar pattern as gastric sleeve surgery. Three small incisions are created on the patient’s left side, above their belly button, in a type of triangle formation, and another two on the other side, to the right of the belly button and slightly higher up.
Each of the 4 or 5 resulting scars ranges anywhere from one-quarter of an inch to about an inch long. If open surgery is done, there will be 1 scar that runs vertically between the sternum and the belly button that will be about 8” long.
Duodenal Switch Scars
Duodenal switch scars are usually very similar to gastric bypass scars because both are performed laparoscopically using several small incisions created across the abdomen.
Most patients are left with 4 to 5 small scars located around the upper part of the abdomen, near the belly button, and along the right side of the stomach area. Each surgeon has their own technique preferences, and so the incision and scar placements can vary.
Lap Band Scars
Lap-band surgery (laparoscopic gastric banding) is often considered less invasive than other types of bariatric surgery, but it still leaves scars. It usually leaves 3 to 5 scars on the abdomen that are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in length.
They are normally located at the top part of the abdomen above the belly button with one or two slightly to the left, which is used for the injection port.
How Bariatric Surgery Scars Gradually Heal
The appearance of bariatric surgery scars usually goes through some changes during the healing process. They start out very noticeable in color and slightly raised, and then slowly flatten and fade to more closely blend to match your skin tone.
First Few Weeks
In the first few weeks, the incisions are still closing, and the healing process is underway.
You may notice:
- Redness
- Mild swelling
- Tenderness
- Small scabs
- Bruising around the incision sites
It is very important to follow all of your aftercare instructions to help you heal properly and avoid complications.
First Few Months
As your incisions continue to heal, the scars might look raised and be a very dark pink before they begin to fade.
You should avoid:
- Picking at your scabs
- Exposing your healing scars to the sun.
- Using scar products that have not been approved by your surgeon.
6 To 12 Months And Beyond
Many bariatric surgery scars flatten and fade with time. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your scars will fade or become less visible, because it will depend on your skin and if you are prone to hyperpigmentation, keloids, or developing raised scars.
How To Care For Bariatric Scars
Scars are basically unavoidable after surgery, but there are some things you can do to help minimize their appearance. Some very important ways to help minimize scarring are to avoid infection, give your body what it needs to heal properly, and use the scar products your doctor recommends.
Tips for helping your scars heal and minimize their appearance include:
- Carefully follow the directions that the surgeon gives you on how to care for your incisions and your scars as they heal.
- Make sure to keep your incisions clean and dry.
- Wash your hands before you change your incision dressings.
- Be gentle and do not use too much pressure when cleaning and drying your incisions.
- Do not pick at or scrape the scabs that form over the incisions.
- Protect your incision from the sun.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of protein, stay well hydrated, and get enough sleep. These are the essentials your body needs to heal itself quickly and properly.
- Once your incisions are well closed, scar creams and gels can be used to help reduce the visibility of the scar. Your surgeon will help you know when you may begin using topical treatments.
- The American Academy of Dermatology explains that silicone gel sheets and protecting scars from the sun may help avoid keloid scars.
Where Can I Learn More About Bariatric Surgery?
The board-certified bariatric surgeons at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgical Institute in Alpharetta, GA, have over 20 years of experience and offer many different bariatric surgeries and other options for weight loss. They can create a personalized plan to help you lose weight in a safe and effective way.
If you are considering options for weight loss and want to know what may be right for you, set up a consultation with one of our experts today.
FAQs
Do Bariatric Surgery Scars Go Away Completely?
They will normally fade but may not disappear completely.
Are Gastric Sleeve Scars and VSG Scars the Same Thing?
Yes. VSG stands for vertical sleeve gastrectomy, which is another name used for gastric sleeve surgery.
Is a Gastric Bypass Surgery Scar Bigger than A Gastric Sleeve Scar?
No. If both surgeries are performed laparoscopically, the scar sizes and patterns are usually very similar.
Are Lap Band Scars Smaller than Other Bariatric Scars?
Lab band scars can be on the small side, except for the one where the port was installed. Most of the incisions are very similar in size to those used during gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery. The port incision can range anywhere from 1 to 2 inches long, which is longer than the incisions used in other laparoscopic bariatric surgeries.
What Should I Do if My Scar Becomes Red, Painful, or Drains Fluid?
Contact your doctor or surgical team right away.
