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

The scar location varies from person to person. The higher the belly button on the abdomen, the greater the likelihood of a scar above the bikini line, unless the “Vertical T” scar is used. This option relies on the TT being marked with the skin being pulled up “on stretch”. This creates the lowest possible scar tummy tuck. It is also a good idea to have your surgeon draw the incisions on your skin during your consultation, something we do on100% of our patients. When the drawn incision is pulled up, it shows the actual range of position of your final scar. Before and after pictures are a great way to see other individuals and realistically see the variables in the position of the final scar.

Scar tummy tuck will be somewhat visible after one year, maybe some red-ing, although using the cremes prescribed by your surgeon and avoiding sun exposure will help a lot in the long run a minimal scar will always remain, it is a question also of where the incition is made by your doctor.

One of the safest ways to anticipate the position of a scar from a tummy tuck is to take one or two pairs of bikini bottoms that you would like to wear after the procedure with you to your doctor’s appointment.

This will help your doctor determine the best type of technique that should be utilized to produce the desired results. Taking your bikini bottom with you when you speak with your doctor will help you get the position of the scar that you desire.

Patients are always worried about the scar left behind after tummy tuck. It is a very valid concern, since there is going to be a long scar tummy tuck. The trick is to place the scar such that it is hidden by under-garments or bathing suites. Patients should have a long conversation with their plastic surgeon about where scar tummy tuck may fall. Sometimes it is impossible to place the scar low due to lack of enough excess skin above the belly button. Also look at your surgeon’s before and after photos to see where he likes to place the scar. Every surgeon has his own way of performing the surgery, the photos can help you decide if the scar is worth the improvement in appearance from tummy tuck.

I utilize a technique for all my tummy tucks to hide the scar within the underwear line. I will often ask patients to wear an underwear or bikini that they desire the scar hidden within for their preoperative markings.

With careful attention to tension, wound healing, and wound infection, patients can achieve very nice scars that fade quickly with appropriate scar therapy.

The scar associated with a tummy tuck should be low enough for your to wear a bikini. Special care must be taken around the belly button to insure that the scar and the shape of the belly button appear natural.

Take the time to review your surgeon’s before and after pictures and be honest with them about your expectations. Their results should be consistent, but remember that every patient heals differently, too. The key is to carefully choose an experienced, board certified Plastic surgeon.

Almost all plastic surgeons would aim for a tummy tuck scar to be hidden beneath your underpants – ie. low.

Planning preoperatively and a considered technique will place a scar accurately to suit the style of briefs you wear.

You most certainly can wear a bikini 1 year after a tummy tuck. In fact, most of my patients are swimming within a month of the procedure.

Within reason a tummy tuck can be concealed under a bikini. I try to have all my patients bring in their favorite bikini bottom on the day of surgery, and I use that to help scar placement. I understand that with fashion trends nowdays, wearing low cut pants is very desirable and therefore it is important to be cautious about the location of the scar. Communication with the patient is of the utmost importance because what works for one patient might not be the same for another. I have had patient that like to wear high riding panties/bikini bottom, and that definitely has an impact the scar position.

I encourage patients to take the time to think about their personal preference of undergarment style and communicate that clearly, and then I try to accommodate within surgical and anatomical guidlines.

On the day of surgery it is best to bring with you the smallest bathing suit bottoms you plan to wear in public. This will give your surgeon the opportunity to design the scars and hopefully keep them within the confines of the bathing suit you intend to wear. If the underwear that you normally wear is lower cut than the bathing suit, it is best to bring those also. Hopefully, the incision will result in a scar that will be below the bikini that you intend to wear. Although scars can continue to heal up to two years, a properly designed abdominoplasty incision will likely allow you to wear your bikini one year after your tummy tuck.

In most cases the scar from an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can be hidden below a bikini line. The length and location of the incision and therefore the scar from a tummy tuck are somewhat patient specific. It is best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to see what is possible for you.

Usually the scar tummy tuck can be hidden with the underwear and you can wear your bikini after a year

The location for the incision can be individualized. I usually allow the patient to have some input on the final scar location. This can be marked out in the pre-operative room. Most women prefer a low transverse scar. It is actually the umbilical scar that tends to be more important since it can not be easily hidden.

During surgery, I always make sure that I make incisions that will heal properly with minimal scarring. There will be tummy tuck scars where the incision was made and how visibile they are depends on the way your skin reacts to it. It should lessen over a year and become less noticeable. Proper diet and exercise will aid in the healing process. Most bathing suits if not too low can usually conceal the scar.