The position of scars after a tummy tuck are more dependent on your personal anatomical shape. Pear shapes tend to have a higher pelvis and a scar that looks more like a smile. Apple shapes tend to have a lower pelvis and a more horizontal scar. If you are pear shaped and wear low cut under ware or bikinis, the scars will be visible in the region of the hip bones.
I think that tailoring the scar to fit your current under ware of choice can end with a compromised result.
I make every effort to position the scar from tummy tuck surgery in the bathing suit line. I ask all of my patients to bring their desired bathing suit with them the day of surgery. I first mark the outlines of the bathing suit and then position the planned incision at or below the lower line so with the tension of closure the final scar resides in your tan lines.
This is not always easy to accomplish and is affected by closure tension and skin redundancy. String bikinis make hiding the scar difficult but with a little thicker band on the side, success is possible. Tell or show your surgeon the type of bathing suit you wish to wear as your input is very important. In virtually all patients the scar from a tummy tuck can be hidden inconspicuously below the bikini or bathing suit line. Even in the group of patients that have their eye on wearing a bikini to the beach again this is possible. Some degree of planning on the part of the surgeon is necessary to make sure the scar doesn’t ride up too much with the tension from the closure and the outer part of the incision needs to follow the correct line to avoid being seen above or below the bathing suit in the hip area.
Unfortunately I do still see patients whose scars are simply to high or were ill-conceived. Remember, the best way to get the result you want is to make sure your surgeon understands your concerns. Pictures of tummy tuck scars from his album can also reassure you. Today, there is really no reason why you can’t expect a low, well concealed incision in a properly planned tummy tuck. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule but these should be infrequent.
If the incision is placed low enough, you can wear a bikini without anyone noticing the scar. especially belly button should be created innie, so noone can ever tell that you had a tumy tuck done. most likely they will guess, since you can have a beautiful figure.
Since the tummy tuck operation involves removal of skin and fat from the abdominal area, there will necessarily be some scars as a result. However, the scars are usually placed along the bikini line and would, therefore, be easily hidden underneath a bikini or panties. There is also a circular scar around the belly button that blends in with the contour of the belly button and inconspicous. Also, there are topical agents that should be used after surgery to help make the scars even less noticeable over time.
I usually have my patients bring in there swim wear before there surgery. I then can mark where the incision could be planned. There are anatomical landmarks we are all taught and use.
There are limitations to how low you can place the scar . Because of theses limits wearing the swim suite helps define what you want and what I can do with your bodies limitations. I use the anterior superior iliac spine(most anterior projection of the pelvic crest) and the symphysis pubis (pubic bone).
These are anatomical restrictions to start with. I do not place the most central incision lower than 6-7cm from the clitoris to avoid injury. This info should help you with insight into what goes through our minds when marking.
Finally, there is no scarless surgery and your genetics will define how you heal. The abdominal contour in the pictures of tummy tuck scars look good and the scar is acceptable.
The key element in hiding tummy tuck scars is to plan them carefully and limit the incision to inside the hip area so that the patient can wear a bikini. I often encourage my patients to wear a bikini on the day of surgery and then we’ll place the incision in that area primarily after so that they can be aligned and minimize and prevent visibility when wearing a bikini.
Tummy tuck scars can usually be place so that they are hidden beneath underwear and bathing suit bottoms. I always caution my patients that there will probably be styles of bottoms they can find that will not completely cover the scars depending on the necessary extent of the surgery and scars. Sometimes it is helpful for patients to bring a bathing suit bottom of the style they typically wear to the consultation. Often the tummy tuck incision and resulting scar can be adjusted accordingly to help insure that the scar will be hidden.
Of course you want to be able to wear a bikini and show off your new flat tummy, and, it’s important that we do everything to hide the scar. I generally mark patients so that the scar is as low as possible. We go over the markings together, and I have patient’s bring a favorite bikini/pair of panties on the day of surgery to be sure that we get it right!
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) scars can be hidden with proper planning. I recommend that the patient bring in her favorite bikini bottoms or underwear for pre-procedure markings. With proper planning and depending on the amount of excess skin, the scar can be positioned so that it is covered by the patients bikini bottoms and underwear.
For majority of people, the scar from a tummy tuck procedure can be hidden by under garments or a bathing suit. There is a scar around the naval which can not be hidden in a bikini but it usually fades with time and becomes less apparent. Scar Guard can be used 3 weeks after surgery which significantly reduces the appearance of the scar.For most patients, the scar from a tummy tuck can be placed low enough that the scar can be hidden in underwear and bathing suits. You might need to choose the right garments to accomplish this but it can be done.
Once in a while, there isn’t enough extra skin to make the scar as low and the scar winds up a little higher. Make sure to ask your doctor where they would think you are on this scale.