Scars & stretch marks · After weight-loss surgery
After bariatric surgery: port scars, stretch marks and a realistic plan
Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass usually leave several small laparoscopic scars on the abdomen, and the big weight change that follows often brings stretch marks and loose skin into view. Here is how to think about all three, and in what order.
What you are likely dealing with
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery uses several small incisions, which heal into short scars across the upper abdomen; one is sometimes a little larger. Separately, stretch marks from earlier weight gain on the belly, hips, thighs, arms or chest become more visible as the skin loosens. And many people develop loose skin that folds or hangs. Each has a different solution.
Put things in the right order
Weight usually takes a year or more to stabilise after surgery. Body-contouring operations (tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift) are often planned after that, and they remove skin, sometimes including the very stretch marks that bother you. So the usual sensible order is: stable weight, then any skin-removal surgery your surgeon recommends, then cosmetic colour work on whatever scars and marks remain.
Real results and real moments
The small port scars
These are often a good fit for colour matching once mature, if they have healed paler than your skin. With scar camouflage, they can usually be done quickly. Dark or raised port scars are a poorer fit. A waterproof concealer covers them easily for a beach day in the meantime.
Stretch marks on a changing body
Creams do not erase stretch marks. For mature white or silver marks on a stable body, stretch mark camouflage can blend their colour toward the surrounding skin. It does not tighten skin or remove marks, and results vary. Red or purple marks are still active and may respond to medical treatments a dermatologist can discuss.
How it works at SKINEAV
- Photo or callSend a photo or book a free phone consult. Honest first answer.
- Assessment & colour testIn clinic, Evelyn checks your skin and tests a custom formula.
- TreatmentPigment placed precisely, only where it is needed, one-on-one.
- Heal & reviewThe colour settles over weeks; follow-ups are planned if needed.
What to expect from a consult
A free phone consult with Evelyn is a good first step: she will ask where you are in your weight journey and whether surgery is planned. If camouflage makes sense, an in-person visit includes a look in natural light and a colour test. Large areas are planned in stages over several visits.
Your next step
Ready to talk? Call 437-475-2757 for a free phone consult with Evelyn, or send a photo for a free assessment. Visits are by appointment at the clinic in Vaughan (36 Bessemer Ct, Unit 1).
Frequently asked questions
Should I get camouflage before or after skin-removal surgery?
After. Surgery may remove some marks and will create new scars that need time to mature.
How long after bariatric surgery should I wait?
Until your weight has been stable for a while and your surgeon is happy with recovery. For many people that means well over a year.
Can camouflage cover loose skin?
No. Camouflage blends colour; it does not change skin volume or tightness.
How do I find out if my stretch marks are suitable?
Call 437-475-2757 for a free phone consult with Evelyn, or send clear daylight photos through the free assessment page. She will tell you honestly whether your marks are mature enough and whether colour matching is likely to help.