Low tummy tuck scar

Tummy tuck scar can be very low and the drawback is a small vertical scar between the new belly button and the pubic area.

The length of that scar can be estimated by gently pinching the skin over your current belly button.

It is usually about twice as long as the belly button is lengthwise. (John P. Stratis, MD, Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon)

Regardless of how much skin you have or don’t have above the belly button, it is best to keep the long horizontal scar of a tummy tuck very low in the center!

If the belly button hole that is left in the skin as it is being pulled downward cannot be removed, then it can be closed either vertically on it’s own or attached to the low horizontal tummy tuck scar (T scar).

Low tummy tuck scar after 1 year

This is much more favorable than a high transverse scar or tissue that’s been pulled too tight causing bad scarring or even tissue necrosis. Tell your doctor to keep it low and not to worry about a vertical scar. (Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

I agree that scarring is the main concern in an abdominoplasty. The perfect tummy tuck should allow you to wear a bikini and no one on the beach would know. Two things are needed for this a low horizontal scar and a nice belly button. Sometimes there is not enough skin laxity to give you a low horizontal tummy tuck scar without modifying what is done around the belly button.

The two options are to cut around the belly button and close it as a 2 cm vertical incision in the midline (part way between your horizontal scar and new belly button). This is a fairly discreet scar and not one that the average person would recognize as coming from a tummy tuck. I do suggest this over a higher horizontal scar.

Picture of Low tummy tuck scar gone bad

The other option is to “float” the belly button. No scar is made on the skin around the belly button. It is brought lower and then secured to the muscle wall. This can look great if it only moves the belly button a couple centimetres. It is not appropriate if it would move the belly button too far. (Rodger Shortt, FRCSC, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

It is so important for patients to accept what thier body will allow them to get from plastic surgery. Sometimes it just won’t give you the options like a lie scar that you wish. Accept your surgeons experienced advice. See another one or two also but generally the vertical scar is not great and not as “small” as you would hope. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Low tummy tuck T scar

Yes, your scar can be made low with a vertical scar if you do not have enough skin laxity to reach the low placement of your scar. Of course that is a general statement and it all depends on your anatomy. The only way to get an accurate answer is to see a plastic surgeon in person. I probably only need to use the vertical incision in a quarter of the patients that I explain that I may need to leave a small vertical scar.(Luis H. Macias, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

This is actually a more common conversation than you would think, at least in my practice. Some patients do not have enough skin to allow for removing all of the skin between the bellybutton and the upper edge of the pubic hair. I tend to place the scar quite low, probably why I have this conversation a lot. The scar is actually usually a good scar and often it ends up looking like an upside down T, joining the middle of the other scar. It just best to discuss this with your board certified plastic surgeon. (James E. Chappell, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Low tummy tuck scar photo

We discuss this with many patients who are considering a tummy tuck. Some of those patients do not have a lot of skin laxity in their upper abdomen, so it is not clear if their skin will stretch far enough down to a low tummy tuck incision to allow for removal of the old belly button site.

Usually the vertical scar is only 1-2 inches long and located just above the tummy tuck scar as a small upside down T. Overall it is much nicer to have a low transverse tummy tuck scar, with a small vertical scar, rather than raising the tummy tuck scar so that the belly button site is easily removed. (Braden Stridde, MD, Federal Way Plastic Surgeon)

Low as possible and short as possible for tummy tuck scars

Low tummy tuck scar after 6 months

I believe the best philosophy is one of low as possible and short as possible for tummy tuck scars. This is what patients want. If a little inverted T is necessary to accomplish this so be it. The inverted T takes a little more time but is no big deal. The inverted T heals well and usually is not very detectable. On the other hand the overal scar is less if you can avoid the T.

I find I only need the T in some cases but when you need it you need it. It is far far better to have a safe secure T than to stretch the abdominal skin so tight it is NOT VIABLE. The tummy tuck is a great operation but not a simple operation when done well. The whole symphony of skin, fat, muscle, muscle fascia, and belly button must be properly cared for and in a manner that is attractive and SAFE. (George Commons, MD, Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon)

It sounds as though your plastic surgeon is giving you a realistic expectation based on his/her examination of your skin quality. It is helpful to your surgeon to bring your favorite bathing suit and/or undergarments with you the day of surgery for marking.

Low tummy tuck scar image

If there is not enough stretch to the upper abdominal skin a small vertical scar can be made, often making a small upside down T at the mid-point of your horizontal incision where the belly button used to be. (Megan Jack, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)

T scar for tummy tuck

The procedure you describe is commonly done in order to keep the scar low. Typically it is an upside-down “T” and the vertical part fades nicely, and usually no more than an inch or two long. It is better in my opinion that having the horizontal scar too high. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)