Home Blogs Bariatric Surgery Gastric Bypass Scars: What to expect and How to Fade them
Written By Dr. Simran Rao
Bariatric Surgery
6 mins read
20/04/2025
Tired of seeing the same scars in the mirror and hating yourself every day?
Usually done laparoscopically, gastric bypass surgery leaves the belly with some tiny, barely perceptible scars.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Though permanent, scars following gastric bypass surgery can be lessened and improved with topical treatments, silicone sheets, and in certain circumstances, cosmetic surgery or scar revision.
Depending on the scar's size, location, and required procedure, scar revision surgery, laser treatments, and chemical peels are some of the methods used in India to remove scars following gastric bypass surgery. The cost of these procedures can range from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 or more.
The stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much bigger lower pouch during the technique known as gastric bypass surgery. The small intestine is then rearranged to attach to each of the two pouches. There are several different gastric bypass procedures (GBP) as a result of the various methods that surgeons have developed to reconnect the intestine. The functional volume of the stomach is greatly reduced by any GBP, and the body's response to food is likewise altered.
Bariatric surgery is done to help you lose weight and reduce your chances of developing weight-related health issues. Among these problems are:
◾Cancer
◾Stroke and heart disease.High blood pressure.
◾Elevated cholesterol.
◾Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
◾Apnea in sleep.
◾Diabetes type 2.
It is common to have bariatric surgery only after attempting to reduce weight through better eating and exercise practices.
Generally speaking, bariatric surgery might be a possibility for you if:
If your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or over, you are considered to be extremely obese.
You are considered obese if your BMI is between 35 and 39.9 and you suffer from a major weight-related illness, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or severe sleep apnea
Although everyone can undergo bariatric surgery, here are a few reasons not to opt for it: These include
○ End-stage lung illness,
○ Unstable coronary artery disease,
○ Severe heart failure,
○ Portal hypertension,
○ Ongoing cancer treatment,
○ Drug and alcohol abuse,
○ Cognitive impairment.
○ Crohn's illness is a relative contraindication.
You can attain and sustain a healthy weight with the help of bariatric operations. Thankfully, non-invasive solutions with little scarring have been developed as a consequence of technical advancements, including endoscopic and laparoscopic operations. For instance, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty offers faster recovery times and requires no incisions.
Endoscopic gastric bypass revision surgeries reduce scarring significantly and eliminate the need for incisions when compared to open procedures.
A person's body image and emotional health may occasionally be impacted by scarring, even though it is a normal aspect of recovery. Having visible scars after gastric sleeve surgery can make you feel self-conscious or worried about how you look. Yet, to guarantee a whole healing process, it is crucial to confront these feelings as part of the entire recuperation process.
Scars can be considered as evidence of your development and resiliency if you acknowledge and accept the transforming nature of your surgical experience. To manage the emotional components of post-surgical changes and assist patients in cultivating a positive outlook, professional counselling, support groups, and mental health organisations can offer invaluable tools.
The best results may be obtained by using the following sorts of laser scar removal advances, depending on the scar type and skin tone:
⦾ Treatment using CO2 Laser
Using brief pulses of light or continuous light rays, this laser therapy for scars removes the thin layers of skin while causing little to no harm to the surrounding skin. It may take several sessions to cure larger scars because this therapy only targets a tiny quantity of scar tissue at a time.
⦾ Using a laser for radiofrequency microneedling
The combination of laser treatment and radiofrequency microneedling is another advancement in scar eradication. Using tiny needles to make small cuts in your skin and administer radiofrequency energy deeply, this dual laser scar reduction method is quite effective.
⦾ Therapy with Low-Level Light
Despite not being a completely new idea, low-level light therapy has undergone recent advancements, making it a powerful laser method for scar removal. Without harming the surface of your skin, this laser therapy for scars encourages skin renewal and regeneration by employing LED light at low levels.
⦾ The Technology of Picosecond Lasers
A faster and more precise method of scar elimination is now possible with laser scar treatment thanks to picosecond laser technology. The best treatment for hyperpigmentation or acne scars is to undergo picosecond laser treatment. Furthermore, compared to typical lasers, you can anticipate less discomfort and a quicker recovery time.
With their increased precision, robotics has entered the field of dermatology, ensuring that only the scar tissue is targeted and not the surrounding healthy skin. Based on real-time skin analysis, robotic-assisted laser systems can modify intensity, speed, and depth, enabling skin specialists to provide patients with customised laser scar treatment.
A pre-surgery skin care regimen supervised by medical professionals can strengthen the skin and prepare it for better healing. Dermatologists will recommend products suited for your skin type will boost hydration and resilience, which are critical for post-surgical recovery.
Instead of using over-the-counter remedies like petroleum jelly, your care team may suggest specific medical-grade products to enhance the skin’s condition. These targeted interventions, along with minimising sun exposure and maintaining adequate hydration, ensure the skin is in optimal condition for the procedure and support faster, more effective healing afterwards. Post-operative Healing after Surgery
An important aspect of the healing process that has a direct bearing on how noticeable scars from weight reduction surgery are is post-operative care. Following professional advice lowers the chance of problems, guarantees appropriate wound healing, and enhances cosmetic outcomes. For the purpose of preventing infections and promoting recovery, your surgeon will offer tailored advice on how to keep the surgery sites clean.
The cornerstone of successful scar treatment is a focus on general well-being combined with professional interventions like the use of silicone products and guided massage therapy. These techniques can greatly improve healing and reduce the visibility of scars when used with expert assistance.
FAQs
The majority of weight loss procedures include gastric bands, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric bypass. By rerouting the small intestine and creating a smaller stomach pouch, gastric bypasses and sleeve procedures both result in a scar that runs vertically down the centre of the stomach.
The stomach is made smaller. This makes you feel fuller faster and eat less. If you had an open or laparoscopic procedure, the wounds (incisions) the doctor made in your abdomen will likely hurt for a few days to a few weeks.
After Bariatric surgery, foods to avoid are:
• Fatty foods
• Carbohydrate-rich foods
• Starchy foods
• Caffeinated and carbonated drinks
• Alcohol
Scars are a natural part of the body's healing process; therefore, while most bariatric procedures leave little to no scarring, there is a chance that there will be noticeable scarring. During surgery, white blood cells are sent to the site to combat infections or bacteria. During this phase, the wound frequently becomes pink or red and swells. Collagen is created when your body attaches itself to the wound site and starts to develop new tissue there. The inside of the wound is filled with granular tissue, and as new skin forms and strengthens the area, you have a scar.
Scarring can be flat or elevated, depending on the wound's size and shape.
Skin that is darker or browner may have scars that are noticeably lighter than the surrounding area. As the body heals, visible scars typically fade over time but don't always go away completely. For as long as two years, the appearance may keep getting worse.
⦿ Eat small servings of well-balanced meals.
⦿ Reduce your intake of calories, fats, and sweets.
⦿ Record the amount of food you eat each day, along with the number of calories and protein you consume.
⦿ Eat slowly and thoroughly chew tiny portions of food.
⦿ Steer clear of raw fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, and meats like steak and pork that are difficult to chew. In general, ground meats are more palatable.
⦿ Avoid chewing ice, using straws, and drinking carbonated drinks. They might put air in your pouch and make you uncomfortable.
⦿ Steer clear of intense sweets, sugar-containing foods and drinks, and fruit juices.
⦿ Your daily intake should be between 300 and 600 calories for the first two months after surgery.
⦿ No more than 1,000 calories should be consumed in a day.
The procedure takes 1.5-3 hours and 2-3 days of hospital stay.
Written By
A hard working, patient centred, skillful and knowledgeable doctor who is always ready to learn.
From a very young age she aspired to be in the medical field, to help cure the ailing. She believes that relief on the patient's face, the smile of gratitude and the feeling of helping someone is all what matters.
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1)https://thesilhouetteclinic.com/bariatric-surgery-scars/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_bypass_surgery
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