I frequently place my tummy tuck incisions at, or below, patient’s previous C-section scars.
However, every patient’s anatomy is different and the location of the incision will ultimately depend on how much laxity there is within the skin, and also where exactly the previous C-section scar is located.
In Los Angeles, the obstetricians are trending toward placing their C-section scars very low, just above the pubic hair line.
Although I can commonly accomodate this incision location on my patients, it does slightly increase the risk of a small vertical component to the incisions (i.e. inverted “T”). (Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Without examining you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice on the ideal incision placement for your body.
That said, in most cases, the tummy tuck / abdominoplasty incision is usually placed below the c-section scar, so that the c-section scar can be removed during the surgery. (David Shafer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
It is possible to place the tummy tuck scar very low over the pubic bone, just below where a typical C-section scar might fall. There is a good reason when an individual has a short torso, or the ethnic characteristic of the skin might be prone to pigmentation in the scar, or the hair within the pubic area is darker or slightly thicker. The lower scar will be better hidden and offer more flexibility with clothing.
The trade off just might be a small scar in the lower abdomen where the ‘old’ belly button was if the skin laxity will not allow this area to travel down low enough. This is a very good trade off for some. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd (Peter E. Johnson, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Yes below the C-section scar but 2 inches is asking alot. Best to see in person 3 boarded PS’s in your area.
Unless the C-section was performed through an unusually low incision, the scar from a tummy tuck is usually at or lower than the C-section scar and removes the C-section scar. The goal for scar placement would be at a level where the scar would be covered by underwear, bathing suits, etc. (Craig S. Rock, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Usually the tummy tuck scar will be placed as low as possible. This will include removal of the old c-section scar (David L. Abramson, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
Location of a Tummy Tuck Scar Vis A Vis an old C-Section Scar?
In designing the location of a Tummy Tuck scar most Plastic surgeons attempt, whenever possible, to place the scar just below the style of underwear you wear and to remove any existing transverse C-Section (Pfannenstiel’s) scar.
The extent of removal of damaged tummy skin would depend on – the amount of fat under the skin (the thinner you are, the more skin can be removed) – how low the tummy tuck incision is placed (the lower the incision, the more skin is left behind) (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Removing the C-section scar in a tummy tuck
Typically unless the C-section scar is exceptionally low and if you have little upper abdominal skin excess, it is possible to remove the old scar and go under it. However, the final location of the scar will actually look higher than the C-section scar because it pulls up as you stand straight up after surgery. You get a little lower body lift out of that though. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
The scar for a tummy tuck usually replaces the c-sxn scar. It can be lower but unlikely to be higher unles your c-sxn scar is unusually low. (Neal Goldberg, MD, Westchester Plastic Surgeon)
While it is possible to lower the C-section scar, I doubt you will be able to do that with a ful tummy tuck in your case. A modified tummy tuck or a mini-tuck can do this but these will not remover all of your stretch marks. You have to sit down with your surgeon and discuss the oriorities of your surgery. (Robin T.W. Yuan, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)