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Procedure guide

Scar care after tummy tuck and body surgery

Body-contouring procedures can leave longer incisions, depending on the operation. Long strips are one option to discuss with your surgeon; the belly button needs its own, separate plan.

Read the guide Talk to TRC
  • Strips up to 24″
  • Belly button handled separately
  • Manufacturer examples
Three curled clear silicone strips on a mint-to-teal gradient

Body incisions and practical formats

  1. Full tummy tuck

    Where: A long, low incision across the lower abdomen, plus the belly button

    Formats to ask about: 2″ × 24″ strip (Silagen’s longest) for the lower incision; an umbilical product only if your surgeon directs.

  2. Mini tummy tuck

    Where: A shorter low abdominal incision

    Formats to ask about: 2″ × 18″ strip, trimmed to length.

  3. Body lift, thigh or arm lift

    Where: Long incisions around the body, inner thigh or upper arm

    Formats to ask about: 2″ × 18″ or 2″ × 24″ strips, cut into sections where needed.

  4. Liposuction ports

    Where: Several tiny entry points

    Formats to ask about: 1″ dots or 1″ × 3″ strips.

Source: Silagen Scar Refinement System product page (opens in a new tab)

Formats to discuss with your surgeon

Long abdominal strips

2″ × 18″ and 2″ × 24″ strips cover long incisions; the 2″ width grips well.

Open guide

Pure gel

Some people switch from strips to gel later, as in one manufacturer example.

Open guide

Belly button inserts

BellaButton or the umbilical sphere — separate products, used only if your surgeon directs.

Open guide

Practical considerations

Compression garments

Silagen notes sheeting can be held with a pressure garment, and its gel instructions allow compression garments once the gel is dry. Ask your surgeon how your garment and scar care fit together.

Strips that lift at the ends

The hip ends move the most. Round the corners when trimming and ask whether medical tape is appropriate.

Drain sites

Drain openings close later than the main incision. Leave them out of scar care until your surgeon clears them.

Manufacturer examples: abdomen

Three tummy tuck examples, plus one laparoscopic appendectomy (a different abdominal surgery), shown with source captions.

Abdomen · SIL_0028

Tummy tuck

Reported: Silicone sheeting / strips + Pure Silicone Gel

Source caption (exact text)

Patient had Tummy Tuck on January 12th, 2016. Started treatment with 2” x 24” abdominal strip on February 26, 2016. Photo taken March 5, 2016, after 1 week of treatment. Patient used ab strip for 3 months then switched to Silagen Pure. Photo taken June 18, 2016 after 3 weeks using Silagen Pure. TUMMY TUCK SILAGEN SHEETING & PURE GEL PATIENT SUBMITTED PHOTOS SIL_0028

Manufacturer-supplied; patient-submitted photographs. Individual results vary. Silagen Before and After Full Gallery 5-26.pdf, p. 22.

Abdomen · SIL_0029

Tummy tuck

Reported: Silicone sheeting / strips

Source caption (exact text)

TUMMY TUCK SILAGEN ABDOMINAL STRIP BEFORE AFTER SIL_0029 PATIENT SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Manufacturer-supplied; patient-submitted photographs. Individual results vary. Silagen Before and After Full Gallery 5-26.pdf, p. 21.

Abdomen · SIL_0039

Tummy tuck

Reported: Pure Silicone Gel

Source caption (exact text)

Before treatment, 2 weeks post-op After 2 months of treatment TUMMY TUCK SILAGEN PURE GEL PATIENT SUBMITTED PHOTOS SIL_0039 1 year post-op

Manufacturer-supplied; patient-submitted photographs. Individual results vary. Silagen Before and After Full Gallery 5-26.pdf, p. 20.

Abdomen · SIL_0035

Laparoscopic appendectomy

Reported: Pure Silicone Gel

Source caption (exact text)

LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY SILAGEN PURE GEL Day 1 of Silagen Pure treatment After 5 months of daily use SIL_0035 PATIENT SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Manufacturer-supplied; patient-submitted photographs. Individual results vary. Silagen Before and After Full Gallery 5-26.pdf, p. 34.

See these in the full results gallery

Watch: strips for abdominal surgery

Silagen Silicone Sheeting, Strips and Shapes · 74 sec · Silagen

Reading summary of on-screen text

Background music with vocals; information appears as on-screen text. This is a summary, not a verbatim transcript.

  • Introduces self-adhesive, reusable 100% medical-grade silicone sheeting.
  • States manufacturer aims: flatten and soften raised scars, reduce redness, itch and discomfort, and cushion new or sensitive scars.
  • Shows strips, sheets and shapes designed for breast and abdominal surgery, and notes pieces can be cut to fit.
  • Notes that Silagen is available through medical offices.

Questions to ask your surgeon

  • When will my lower incision and drain sites be ready for scar care?
  • Which strip length would you use for my incision?
  • How do I wear strips with my compression garment?
  • Do you recommend anything for my belly button?
  • When could I switch from strips to gel, if at all?

Frequently asked questions

Can one strip cover my whole tummy tuck scar?

Silagen’s 2″ × 24″ strip is designed for tummy tucks and body lifts. Very long scars may need more than one piece.

Source: Silagen Scar Refinement System product page (opens in a new tab)

Is the belly button treated with the same strip?

No. The belly button is a separate scar in a hollow; Silagen makes separate umbilical products used only at your surgeon’s direction.

Can I wear a strip under compression?

Silagen notes a pressure garment can help hold sheeting. Confirm with your surgeon.

Source: Silagen Sheeting instructions for use (opens in a new tab)

Why does one example switch products?

In source case SIL_0028, the patient used an abdominal strip for three months, then switched to Pure gel. The caption records the exact dates.

Get help with your recovery

Questions about your scar care?

Your surgeon’s instructions come first. A TRC Care Planner can help you organize questions for your surgical team and recovery arrangements.

Talk to TRC about recovery Ask TRC about supplies

Silagen states its products are sold through authorized medical offices, not online retailers. Ask your surgeon’s office, or ask TRC about your next step. TRC does not sell Silagen products on this site.

Educational information from manufacturer materials, not medical advice. Silagen® is a trademark of Newmedical Technology, Inc. Follow your surgeon’s instructions.