The Truth About Scars: What Really Happens After Plastic Surgery

Spoiler alert: If you’re getting plastic surgery, you will have scars. That’s the truth—no matter what you’ve heard, read, or been promised. But the real story doesn’t stop there. What most people don’t realize is this: scars don’t have to define your results. And with the right surgical approach, they often don’t.

In a recent video, Dr. Ramon Garza III—board-certified plastic surgeon and microsurgical expert—breaks down exactly what you should expect from surgical scars. From how they form to how they fade, this is the unfiltered truth about what happens after the procedure ends and the healing begins.

There’s No Such Thing as Scarless Surgery

Let’s get this out of the way: if your skin is cut, a scar will form. “There’s no such thing as scarless plastic surgery, no matter what you’ve seen online,” says Dr. Garza. The key isn’t pretending scars don’t exist—it’s understanding how to minimize their appearance without compromising results. It’s a scar that’s nearly invisible, well-placed, and most importantly, outshined by the beauty of the result itself.

Function Over Form. Form Over Scars.

At Dr. Garza Plastic Surgery, one philosophy guides every decision in the OR: function over form, and form over scars. That means results must be functional before they are beautiful, and they must be beautiful before worrying about a tiny incision line.

“If I do a perfect rhinoplasty and you can’t breathe afterward, that’s a failure,” Dr. Garza explains. Likewise, if a slightly longer scar leads to a significantly better shape or tighter contour, that’s a trade worth making. This mindset separates aesthetic surgery from superficial enhancements. It’s not about hiding reality—it’s about prioritizing long-term satisfaction over short-term illusions.

Function Over Form. Form Over Scars.

At Dr. Garza Plastic Surgery, one philosophy guides every decision in the OR: function over form, and form over scars. That means results must be functional before they are beautiful, and they must be beautiful before worrying about a tiny incision line.

Scar Placement Is an Art—And a Science

Where your incision is placed matters just as much as how it’s closed. A well-placed scar is one you’ll rarely notice—and may even forget is there. In a tummy tuck, for example, the scar is placed low, beneath the underwear or swimwear line. In breast surgery, incisions are often hidden in natural creases, like the fold beneath the breast. For liposuction, the openings are just a few millimeters wide and carefully tucked into discreet, inconspicuous locations.

These aren’t arbitrary choices. Scar placement is strategic. It’s based on anatomic knowledge, surgical experience, and a deep respect for how the body heals.

How the Wound Closes Determines How It Heals

Once the incision is made, the way it's closed sets the tone for how it will look months down the road. Not all closure techniques are created equal, and no—Dr. Garza doesn’t use staples for procedures like tummy tucks or breast lifts. “Staples can leave visible tracks in the skin,” he explains. Instead, he uses internal dissolvable sutures that reduce tension on the outer skin layer.

That reduction in tension matters more than people think. Less tension means a smoother, flatter scar, and it significantly reduces the chance of raised or irregular healing. When done properly, this technique lays the foundation for a scar that fades quietly into the background.

Scar Care Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential

Surgical skill is just one piece of the puzzle. What you do after the procedure plays a massive role in how your scars mature. Dr. Garza uses tension-reducing surgical tape over the incision site for the first three weeks to stabilize the skin. Once the initial healing phase passes, he recommends medical-grade silicone scar tape—applied consistently for at least three months, though longer is better.

Silicone works by regulating how your body forms collagen, the protein responsible for healing. Unchecked, collagen can build up chaotically, creating thick, raised, or discolored scars. Silicone guides that process so healing happens more smoothly and evenly. It’s a small effort with long-term payoff.

Genetics Play a Role (But They Don’t Write the Ending)

Some scar outcomes are simply written in your DNA. Older patients often heal more softly because of a lower inflammatory response. Those with lighter skin tones tend to form finer, lighter scars, while darker skin types may be more prone to pigment changes or hypertrophic scarring.

But the biggest predictor of how you’ll scar is your personal history. If you’ve had keloids or poor scarring in the past, your surgeon needs to know. “It absolutely influences your surgical plan,” says Dr. Garza.

Red and Raised? That’s Normal at First

Three months after surgery, many patients panic. Their scars look red, raised, or irritated, and they assume something’s gone wrong. “This is when scars often look their worst,” Dr. Garza reassures. “But it’s also completely normal.”

At that point in the healing process, your body is still laying down collagen rapidly—but it’s doing so in a disorganized way. That means the scar might feel firm or bumpy, even inflamed. Give it time. Between six months and a year, your body reorganizes that collagen into a smoother, flatter, less noticeable line. This remodeling phase is where real scar refinement happens.

Stay consistent with your care. Be patient with your body. It knows how to heal—it just needs the right conditions.

Choose Your Surgeon Carefully

Here’s a truth most people don’t hear until it’s too late: not everyone performing cosmetic procedures is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Some may call themselves cosmetic surgeons, but haven’t completed formal plastic surgery training. Others aren’t surgeons at all.

Ask the question directly: “Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?” If the answer is anything but yes, walk away. Board certification means your surgeon has undergone rigorous training, passed the required exams, and follows the ethical and technical standards laid out by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Credentials matter. So does surgical technique. So does honesty.

Final Word: Scars Happen. Regret Doesn’t Have To.

If you’re thinking about surgery and scars are on your mind, you’re not being vain. You’re being thoughtful. A good surgeon doesn’t minimize that concern—they welcome it.

Because with the right plan, scars don’t have to steal the spotlight. Your confidence does.

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