Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Abdominoplasty scars are the most common trade off for cosmetic surgical procedures. The benefits from a tummy tuck are a flatter abdomen, removal of bulges, and improvement of overall contour. The scars are necessary to achieve these results. When discussing the surgery, have your plastic surgeon show you photos of the expected scars from other patients.

After a full tummy tuck, the main scar will be essentially hidden under a typical bikini. But you will have a scar around your belly button too, and this can be visible. There are probably as many techniques of belly button closure during abdominoplasty as there are plastic surgeons, but the most important thing is to hide the scar as much as possible within the belly button, avoid a round, tell-tale scar, and close it meticulously so the scar quality is ideal.

Abdominoplasty scars image

If you are lucky enough to be a candidate for a mini-tummy tuck then you will avoid the belly button scar. But a word of caution – if you need a full tummy tuck, perfoming a mini-tummy tuck just to avoid a belly button scar or minimize the main scar will leave you with poor abdominal contour and residual loose skin. You and your surgeon will both regret it.

The goal for me is how much can I do and how well can I hide it. I ask my patients to wear on the day of surgery either panties or a bathing suit bottom you would like to wear. This may be something you are not comfortable wearing today but, if all was perfect this is what you would like.

I will then draw them on you so that I may keep my scar within them. On occasion you may need a short vertical scar so that the scar can be placed as low as possible. I typically locate my scar at the edge of your pubic hairline.

Abdominoplasty scars images

Scars from tummy tuck can be hidden below the level of your preferred clothing. If you are very curious and scar location is critical, ask your surgeon to draw on your body where he or she plans to place the scar. Barring special circumstances the scar can be hidden below the level of hip hugger jeans, lingerie, or even a bikini. I hope that helps.

Unfortunately with an abdominoplasty comes scars.

A mini-tuck essentially just means a shorter scar although it can often be placed lower than a typical tummy tuck scar.

Abdominoplasty scars photo

There a few techniques that have made a tremendous difference in our scars:

1. We use anchoring sutures so the scar is less likely to move superiorly as you heal.

2. We use a special suture that has barbs on it where you don’t tie knots like conventional suture. This allows us to evert the edges of your closure (a technique that raises your scar temporarily for 1-2 weeks but gives you a much better scar in the long run) in a way that was not possible before.

3. We close with three different layers instead of two layers.

These techniques have made an unbelievable difference in especially in our our mini-tummy tuck patients.

Abdominoplasty scars photos

Scars will always be present after tummy-tuck surgery. The key is where the scar is placed. For most women, the ideal placement of the scar is low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area, and extending out to the sides in an area that can be concealed by the type of bathing suit that the woman prefers to wear.

For example, if you choose to wear one piece bathing suits that have high “French Cut” legs, then the scars should be placed high on the sides to remain hidden. If, on the other hand, you like to wear a bikini with low side straps, or if you wear low hip-hugger slacks, then the scar should be placed lower.

I ask my patients to bring in their favorite bathing suit or brief on the day of surgery, so we can plan the placement of the abdominoplasty scars accordingly.

Abdominoplasty scars picture

Any time a surgeon cuts through the skin, that cut will result in a scar. Our job as plastic surgeons though, is to minimize the scarring that will occur. This is done either by trying to place the incision in a skin-fold, or in an area that isn’t very visible. Another trick we have is to use several layers of sutures to help ease the tension on the incision.

It’s very important as a patient that you refrain from smoking, and that you wear paper tape or silicone sheets on your scar, and that you follow your general physicians instructions after surgery.

Abdominoplasty scars pictures

Do keep in mind though, that with time all abdominoplasty scars will lighten and become less visible. And, in most cases, the scar from a tummy tuck will be under the bikini-line. If you bring your favorite swimsuit in to your consult, your surgeon should be more than happy to help custom tailor the tummy tuck scar to fit within the regions of the swimsuit.

Abdominoplasty scars usually extend from hip to hip. Depending on the placement, they can be hidden in a bikini bottom. The length of the scar often depends on whether you need a “full” tummy tuck or a “mini” tummy tuck. This is determined during your consultation with your plastic surgeon. Sometimes, women who feel they need a tummy tuck find out that liposuction can give them the results they are looking for.

The abdominoplasty scars

Most women who qualify for a full abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, will end up with their scars low enough to be hidden under their underwear or bikini, however it all depends on how much loose skin you have. The amount of skin laxity determines how high or low your incision (scar) will be placed. If you are done having children, then now is the time to have a consulation and be evaluated so you can determine where your scar would be.

After abdominoplasty, there are 2 sets of scars. There is the horizontal scar just above the pubic bone. Ideally, it will heal as a very thin white line that is barely visible. Even if you form a thicker or darker scar it should still be easily hidden in a bikini. You have to be somewhat flexible on the style of bikini. (Nothing can be hidden in a string bikini!)

Now the scar around the belly button should be hidden on the inside of the belly button but occasionally this may be along the outside and visible or thick and dark and visible. These scars can be noticeable.