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

Sometimes a creative approach is needed to reduce the burden of existing scars. While you do not have enough skin to remove the entire scar with a tummy tuck, the vertical scar could be revised, and a short horizontal scar (partial tummy tuck scar placed just above the pubic hairline) could be used to remove some of the scar and stretch marks beneath the belly button.

This incision could also be used to tighten up some of the lower abdominal muscles to tighten your waistline. (Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, Melbourne Plastic Surgeon)

All the skin below the belly button is removed with a tummy tuck including any scars, stretch marks or loose skin. The belly button is left attached to the muscles which are tightened in the midline. The skin above the belly button is elevated to the rib cage and pulled tight over twice the distance to the pubic bone.

Scar revision tummy tuck surgery

The belly button is artfully replaced to help conceal the scar. The horizontal scar only has to be as long as the skin tone requires, but in most women is between the hip bones and can be concealed with a low bathing suit or underwear line. Scars fade with time and the trade off is a concealed scar with improved tone of the entire abdominal wall. (Christopher J. Kovanda, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Based on your photo, you would clearly benefit from a tummy tuck to remove the scar and exchange it for a low horizontal scar that you can conceal in clothing. This will allow you to remove the excess lower abdominal skin and correct your abdominal “pouch’ which is likely being caused by a widening of your rectus muscles (rectus diastasis). (Robert Najera, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

A scar revision tummy tuck

It is always best to see your plastic surgeon prior to determining which procedure is best for you. The amount of stretch and elasticity of the skin as well as the severity of the scar will help decide which procedure will best suite your needs. (David L. Robbins, MD, FACS, West Des Moines Plastic Surgeon)

Your vertical scar looks good and quite acceptable. It doesn’t appear you really need any surgery. However, if you wanted to effectively remove that vertical scar, the only way of really dealing with this would be to remove all that tissue and transfer the vertical incision into a horizontal one.

The length of a horizontal scar would be dependent by the height of the belly button. A higher belly button will dictate a longer scar, whereas, a lower belly button will offer a shorter elliptical incision.

Scar revision abdominoplasty

And without examining, it really is hard to know how much redundant skin there is. In my opinion, either do nothing or accept that if you have a tummy tuck to remove the vertical scar and the mentioned “pouch” you have, it may be a fairly lengthy incision but can be covered with a bathing suit.

And really, no surgery is a good option for you, too. (Glynn Bolitho, PhD, MD, FACS, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

It does not appear that here is enough skin to perform a tummy tuck. In my experience, there is little to be gained by scar revision tummy tuck, as the results are often not much different than the original scar. (Gary Lawton, MD, San Antonio Plastic Surgeon)

Scar revision tummy tuck operation

Based on the photograph, you do not appear to be a candidate for a surgical procedure. However, if the scars bother you then you should consult in person with a board certified plastic surgeon to understand your options.(Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)

You don’t seem to have enough loose skin to undergo a full TT. Like my colleagues, you may be better served having the incision revised. Make certain that once you do, you avoid heavy exercise to maintain a nice thin scar. (Gary M. Horndeski, MD, Texas Plastic Surgeon)

The best choice depends on what is causing the “pouch” that you refer to. If that is all fatty tissue then liposuction and a revision of the scar would probably be best. However, if the pouch is lax muscle from your two pregnancies, then I would recommend a tummy tuck. That would get rid of the vertical scar and flatten your abdomen as well as get rid of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen. Your resulting tummy tuck scar will be more easy to hide under swimwear. (Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS, Savannah Plastic Surgeon)

The scar revision tummy tuck

You don’t look like you have enough extra skin to warrant a tummy tuck. I would recommend a revision of your vertical scar and liposuction of your abdomen and sides (flanks), assuming that your skin is in as good a shape as it looks in the picture. (Jason J. Hall, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Absolutely, you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck, with a tummy tuck you can get rid of the vertical scar, regain more waist and flatter abdomen. Your new scar will be cover with your 2 pieces bathing suit. (Patricia Yugueros, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

If you have enough loose skin above your belly button, you might be able to convert that below belly button scar into a horizontal low bikini scar. The length of the horizontal scar will depend exactly how much skin you have.

BOTTOM LINE: the more skin you have the longer the scar. Your plastic surgeon will be able to estimate the length of the scar after pinching your skin and feeling how lax your muscles are. (Michele Koo, MD, FACS, Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon)

To improve your contours you need to be evaluated in person. You may require a scar revision tummy tuck, liposuction, or a full or mini tummy tuck. It all depends upon how the scar looks, how much extra fat and skin that you have and the laxity of your abdominal wall. Only an experienced surgeon can make that call for you. (Mark D. Epstein, MD, Stony Brook Plastic Surgeon)