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

The surgeon can place the tummy tuck scar anywhere on the abdomen. Most patients prefer a very low scar that is easily hidden below your pants line. One of the most common errors is to design the incision too high. The incision can also be placed in the bikini line, and this is done by marking out the patient with her bikini on.

One of the reasons that tummy tucks are so popular is that the scars heal so well and are easy to hide. A well positioned scar is truly invisible in a bikini. As plastic surgeons we have also become more aware of the importance of creating a perfect belly button scar. This is done by placing the scar on the inside of the belly botton and contouring the fat around it to obtain a very natural and nearly invisible scar.

Most scars after tummy tuck are hidden. But it depends on your anatomy and in particular the anatomy of the lower abdomen. It is reasonable to bring a pair of your favourite bikini bottoms to the consultation to get an idea of where the scar will be located in relation to the bikini line.

A well positioned scar after tummy tuck will alway be hidden so my patients don’t have to worry about the type of scar they form. The most important factors in the type of scar a patient forms is their genetics and the degree of tension on the incision. All scars are red and noticeable for about one year and then they fade and become skin color.

Depending on your style of bikini you may be able to hide all of your tummy tuck scar one year after surgery. The scar location will vary from patient to patient depending on the amount of skin excess, presence of stretch marks, location of the belly button, and length of the abdomen. I always try to keep the scars very low so that the there are more clothing options available.

Most of the scars will fade nicely after one year but scar after tummy tuck quality can be unpredictable. Factors such as skin tone, presence of stretch marks, skin color, genetics, healing issues, and sun exposure can all affect the final scar appearance. It can be helpful for your surgeon if you bring some clothing with you such as your jeans or bikini bottoms at the time of surgery so that the scars can be designed to fall below the superior aspect of your clothes.

In general the markings for the tummy tuck may vary from surgeon to surgeon. I like to have the patient bring in their favorite bikini or undies to the surgery so that the markings can be placed to end up within this area.

What has to be understood is that skin and fat of the tummy is being removed from the belly button to the pubic area. The upper belly skin/fat flap will be stretched down to the incision.

This may cause the incision to rise up a little during the healing process. This does add a tiny bit of variability and the potential for the scar to rise a little. Typically this will still be within the area of the bikini.

However, if the scar is a little high, it is possible after a year to lower that scar further down.

This is done on people who have had scars placed too high by another physician, or whose style has changed over the years with new positions of the bathing suit as fashions change. This is a very important issue to be considered. It is very important that you look at the results of the doctors you interview to be sure you like the position of the scar with the technique that they choose.

Tummy tuck scars are hidden below low cut jeans, bikinis and underwear. I have my patients bring their favorite bikini bottom to the pre-operative marking session and do my best to keep the scar within the lines of the garment.

The goal would absolutely be for you to be able to wear a bikini following your surgery and be able to hide the scar nicely. I recommend for all my tummy tuck patients to bring the bikini of their dreams the morning of surgery so I can place my incision below the bikini.

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular procedures to reshape and contour the abdominal tissue. The main tradeoff is a better shape for a low-level scar that can be hidden in the underwear line or even a bikini line depending on the shape of the bikini. There is some leeway on the exact location of the scar and the overall length of the scar may depend on the degree of skin laxity that you have. A skilled plastic surgeon can help you discuss scar placement and length. Overall the scars soften and fade overtime and this is one procedure with a very high satisfaction rate.

There is quite a bit of variability among plastic surgeons in placement of the abdominoplasty incision. It is important to place it as low as possible, because the scar has a tendency to migrate up, where it might be visible. Also, you don’t want pubic hair dragged up onto your abdomen, which can happen. The best shape is a gentle concave saucer-shape that falls in the natural inguinal skin creases, not a W or a straight line.

Experienced plastic surgeons know some tricks to keeping the scar low. They use an operating table that flexes at the hips to allow the surgeon to maximally pull down the skin flap, without a need for a vertical scar. I also use deep anchoring sutures to relieve skin tension. These deep sutures helps with scar quality and work to avoid upward scar migration. My advice would be to check out the scars on your surgeon’s website. If you don’t like them, that is not a good sign. If they are hidden by clothing, that is not good either. I don’t use staples because I don’t want railroad tracks.

With a well-positioned scar, the tradeoff is very favorable (abdominal appearance versus scar) and patient satisfaction is very high. I am attaching a link to this portion of my website. It is a good idea to look closely at belly button scars too.

Usually the incision is places low enough that you can wear a bikini after a tt.

I always perform two pre-operative consultations on abdominoplasty patients. During the first consultation, we discuss the operation and its risks and rewards. In the second consultation, I encourage patients to bring in a bikini bottom and favorite style of underpants to assess how to place the scar. The scar location can be customized to improve patient satisfaction and comfort in wearing the type of clothing/swim attire they find most attractive and comfortable.

As Monty Hall used to call out on the popular TV show LET’S MAKE A DEAL, a tummy tuck is a deal you make with your plastic surgeon. You trade your ugly tummy for a scar. If, in your mind the trade is worth it, then you will love your TT. If not, then do not have the procedure performed. The placement of the final scar depends on your body build, the looseness of your skin and the skill of your plastic surgeon. Most scars can be hidden in 2 piece clothing or bathing suits.

You should be able to wear a bikini within a month or two after a tummy tuck – if you want to, that is. Obviously all patients are different, and you should discuss the scar with your surgeon before surgery. Most of the time the scars will remain low and easily hidden clothing, including most bikinis. In some cases you can even bring a bikini to show your surgeon what you hope to wear after surgery and discuss whether the bikini will cover the fading scar after surgery.

The biggest scar runs from side to side and is just above the pubic region. If you have had a previous c- section, this transverse scar will follow the c-section scar. It’s length varies according to how much excess skin needs to be removed. In a full tummy tuck, the abdominal skin is re- draped over the belly button and the belly button is re- inset through the re-draped abdominal skin.

Sewing the belly button in will leave a scar in that location. After the procedure my patients have an abdominal binder in place to help with swelling and add comfort. The location of the incisions are not visible.

Usually, after all post op garments are removed, you will have two scars. I try to make the scar around the belly button as inconspicuous as possible but it is not hidden. Whether the larger transverse scar can be hidden beneath your bikini depends on it’s exact position and the size of your bikini. I ask my patients on the day of surgery to bring in a bikini bottom that they are comfortable with so I can plan my transverse incision to possibly be hidden by the bikini bottom.

All of my operative patients benefit from a scar reduction program to allow the scars to fade as much as possible. During the consult, as part of discussing the tummy tuck procedure I draw the proposed incisions on your tummy with a removable ink marker.