SmartLipo — a Solution for Tummy Fat Problems with C-section Scars

Aug 1
07:14

2008

Dr. James Fairfield

Dr. James Fairfield

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Millions of women have had C-section operations. Even if the resulting scar itself doesn't look bad, tummy fat can accumulate around it, producing unsightly bulges. Laser liposuction offers an alternative to more invasive treatments.

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Millions of women have had C-section operations. At the time,SmartLipo — a Solution for Tummy Fat Problems with C-section Scars Articles of course, everyone's focus is on a good outcome for baby and mom! But time passes. And, even if the C-section scar itself isn't bad-looking — fine-grained, not discolored — women can be discouraged when the inevitable tummy fat accumulates there, producing unsightly bulges. Many of my clients with abdominal scars ask if they should have a tummy tuck or liposuction. Both of these are effective, but very often they're more than the situation requires. Laser liposuction — SmartLipo — offers an alternative to these more invasive treatments.

A C-section scar provides a good example of how the overall scar/fat problem develops. Modern surgical techniques allow doctors to place the incision low and horizontal on the abdomen, so clothing hides it — even a bikini bottom.

Down that low, the skin has very little underlying fat. As the scar heals, it attaches or "adheres" to underlying tissue. And that's the problem. With time, the fat under the skin redistributes itself. It tends to lodge in pockets where it's held in place and sits there, completely unresponsive to either diet or exercise. So, when the fat under our skin meets an attached scar, it can accumulate — often on both sides of the scar.

Meanwhile, through time our skin relaxes and, well — sags. No matter how fit and toned we keep ourselves, the skin and accumulated fat can roll right over the scar. Many of my clients have come to me with this situation about their C-section scars, and I've seen plenty of similar bulges around appendectomy and other abdominal scars. (It can happen to men, too. I even had the same problem myself, from an old abdominal surgery, bulging on both sides of the scar.) Until recently, women had three options for C-section scar fat: tummy tuck surgery, traditional liposuction, or "live with it."

The first two alternatives have considerable drawbacks. (The third just isn't necessary any more.) Tummy tuck surgery is appropriate in cases of significant overall sagging of the abdominal skin. The surgeon loosens a large area of skin from the underlying tissue, removes a section of the skin, repositions the remaining skin to tighten and smooth it, and then sutures the incision. Liposuction involves pushing a vacuum tube under the skin in several passes to suction out fat cells. Both tummy tuck surgery and/or liposuction may be indicated if there's a need to remove more than about nine pounds of fat.

However, surgery has the drawbacks of considerable recovery time and the risk, however minor, that accompanies general anesthesia (it's prudent to avoid that risk whenever there's an alternative). Traditional liposuction also involves at least a week of recovery time and also requires general anesthesia. I have also had clients who were not completely satisfied with the results of liposuction. The procedure loosens the skin, and as it reattaches to underlying tissue it can leave an uneven, rippled surface.

Fortunately, there's now another alternative for C-section and other scars. Laser liposuction is an office procedure. After numbing the area of the procedure, the doctor inserts a fine tube under the skin to emit laser energy. This reduces the fat cells to liquid form, triggers skin tightening, and releases the scar adhesions. Another fine tube removes the fat. There are added benefits beyond removal of fat. First, the laser seals off capillaries so that healing begins at once, with little release of blood under the skin. Also, in treating the underside of the skin, the laser tightens the skin uniformly and causes it to produce extra collagen. The result: a smooth, even surface, a scar flush with the rest of the skin — no more sagging, no more bulges.

Downtime for this procedure is minimal, generally only a day or two. For a few weeks, the client wears a piece of clothing designed to put gentle pressure on the treatment area. And that's it!

Lumpy fat around a C-section or other scar can be distressing and make clothing fit badly. If you're longing to shop for the kinds of clothes you used to buy, it's worth talking with your cosmetic dermatologist to see if SmartLipo is a good solution for you.