Will Skin Removal Surgery Remove Stretch Marks Too?

Everyone is prone to stretch marks. Whether from puberty, pregnancy, weight fluctuation, or significant weight gain and loss, both men and women are likely to experience stretch marks at some point in their lifetime. Unfortunately, these marks often leave you feeling self-conscious and hiding specific areas of your body and searching to find a way to remove these unwanted stretch marks. While creams and lotions can help reduce their appearance, the only stretch mark removal treatment can occur with skin removal surgery. But there’s a catch! The stretch marks have to be in specific locations for removal to occur. 

Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched or shrunken quickly, often seen with puberty, pregnancy, and significant weight loss or gain. As the skin stretches or shrinks, it tears the layer of skin known as the dermis. When these tears occur, collagen and elastin work to heal the tears, creating a scar that develops into visible stretch marks you see. They often start dark red or purple and may be slightly raised. As they heal, the color fades, and the marks flatten, becoming slightly depressed in appearance. In most cases, stretch marks appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, and the back of the arms. 

Procedures That Can Remove Stretch Marks

While there is no stretch mark removal surgery, surgical procedures that include skin removal, such as a tummy tuck or an arm lift, can remove stretch marks depending on where they appear. For example, a tummy tuck is a great procedure for addressing stretch marks that occurred during pregnancy or after significant weight loss. However, a tummy tuck can only remove the skin below the belly button, so if you have stretch marks above the belly button, a tummy tuck will not remove those. Other surgical procedures that can address stretch marks include breast reductions, breast lifts, arm lifts, thigh lifts, and lower body lifts. 

If stretch marks are making you cover up and hide, one of these procedures may not only help remove your stretch marks but help you achieve some additional body contouring goals. To learn which procedures may be right for you and your stretch marks, call 208-344-4900 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Kramer and take the first step to becoming a new you!