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

With a thoughtfully placed scar tissue after tummy tuck, a two-piece bathing suit could be worn within a few months of surgery, once the swelling has resolved.Traditionally, an incision is placed just above the pubic bone and gently curves up toward the hip. There is also a scar around the umbilicus.

This scar can heal quite well if designed appropriately. Your scar will continue to mature and improve over the next year or more. It is very important that you make sure that you remember sun protection during scar maturation to protect against hyperpigmentation.

The scars tissue after tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) vary from one individual to another, just as you would expect. I tell my patients that they can expect to hide their scars in the right bathing suit, or skimpy underwear, but not in every item. In general, if there is a lot of extra skin to deal with, you can tell where the scar will lie to effectively remove the excess, much like taking a dart in clothing.

Scar tissue after abdominoplasty

The scar will show more in the first year or so, but since most scars tend to fade over time, it becomes easier to hide or camouflage it. When you speak to your surgeon, be sure and mention whether you have a preference for the scar to stay low and hidden in boy cut bottoms, or to curve up on the sides such as for bathing suits that are cut higher on the thighs.

If planned properly, a tummy tuck scar tissue after tummy tuck should always fall below the level of a bikini or low waistband. There may be some styles of bikini, like the really tiny string bikinis, that may be more of a challenge, but in general, a tummy tuck should be planned with that goal in mind to keep the scar as low as possible.

Scar tissue after the tummy tuck

A major part of the “trick” in all of this is for the surgeon to simply recognize that just as the lax upper tissues move downward, there is laxity in the lower tissues, like the pubic and inguinal areas, that will move upward.

Taking this into account while marking preoperatively for example, like using the extra hands of a nurse to help move and stabilize the tissues with maximal stretch instead of just marking as they lie only to have them move unpredictably in the OR, is a major help.

Also the lower edge of the tissues can be stabilized to the deep structures preventing upward movement of the scar tissue after tummy tuck. Just like getting a natural appearing belly button, it all just takes planning and attention to detail to get these seemingly “minor” things done the way they should be.

Scar tissue after tummy tuck after 1 year

The placement of tummy tuck scars is one of the most critical aspects of the an excellent postoperative result. With today’s fashions, a low incision between the aesthetic units of the abdomen and thigh located 5-7 centimeters above the pubic region. This location usually is easily concealble in a bikine, underwear and looks good even out of clothing. Too high of a scar tens to scar poorly and look out of place or can be visible in some clothing.

The second most important aspect of a tummy tuck is a well designed belly button with a scar hidden in the shadows of the depression. No one wants to get questions about a tummy tuck scar at the pool or beach. Finally the judicious use of liposuction around the flanks can help to restore waist definition if you have some excess fat and prevents “dog ear” formation. Discuss the pros and cons of these issues with your surgeon.

Scar tissue after tummy tuck operation

When I do a Tummy Tuck in San Antonio, I always try to place the scar as low as possible. There are several factors that may require me to raise the scar, though. At your initial consultation we can give you an idea of where the scar will be.

We will also often have patients bring in the clothes that they would like to be able to wear after surgery to see if we can hide the scars below them. I think that what makes the difference between a good looking Tummy Tuck and a bad one is definitively the scar. It should be obvious!

Scar tissue after tummy tuck surgery

I personally try to place my scars very low in the pubic area, probably 4 to 6 cm above the vulvar cleft under upward stretch trying very carefully not to distort the curvature and fullness of the mons. Some patients have very lax pubic skin and by correcting that the pubic area gets greatly rejuvenated which I consider an essential part of all tummy tucks.

My scars hug very low in the groin area which produces a nice lift on the anterior thighs. The lenght of the scar depends on how much skin we want to remove. Often times the lower abdominal area is greatly damaged by stretch marks and has geat laxity that requires more generous excission and therefore a longer scar. Limiting the lenght of the scar when redundant skin is present will result in a deformity known as “dog ear” which is prominence at the end of the scar in the shape of a small cone.

This deformity is unsightly and difficult to hide and needs to be corrected. In a traditinal Tummy Tuck the belly button has to be relocated.

Scar tissues after tummy tuck

This is done by circumcising the belly button stump which will remain in its original position and then opening a new window for it as the abdominal skin is redraped and trimmed.

The belly button stump is then sutured to this new opening and this is a critical part of this operation.

Since the belly button is in a visible place this scar tissue after tummy tuck has to be pretty. It has to dimple and not stick out. It should be small but not too small as in a pinhole and of course it has to be in the middle of the abdomen and not shifted to the side. That’s how you can tell a pretty tummy tuck from a bad one.

The scar tissue after tummy tuck

When I schedule patients for a tummy tuck, I have them bring a pair of the type of panty they usually wear or a bikini bottom.Using these as a reference, I then will mark out the incision site so that the final result will be within the panty or bikini. I tell patients that the length of the incision isn’t as crucial as the location of the incision.

Ideally the scar would heal as a nice thin, barely perceptible line but if the scar ends up moving up or down slightly or is thickened, it can be revised in the office under a local anesthetic.

Tummy Tucks can make a huge difference in a womans look, as well as self confidence. The contour changes can be miraculous. The worst problem is the inconsistency of the scar. The two issues are the scar around the belly button.

This scar can be bad or look great. The other consideration is the transverse scar on the belly.

I ask the patient to bring a bikini so that I can design the scars to fit in the bikini. However, in some cases when you are intimate, the scars may still be a problem. Is it worth it?

For most people yes!