Tummy tuck and c section

You may benefit from a mini tuck with liposuction but removal of the entire caesarean scar would involve substituting another long horizontal scar for it. You might do well with just scar revision and liposuction but that can only be ascertained during examination. If the scar is what really troubles you, scar revision would be reasonable.

I suspect that you will have several options from which to choose depending on your finances, priorities and time constraints. You certainly can have the scar revised first and opt for liposuction or mini tuck at a later date. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

You would be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck with tightening of your stomach muscles. Targeted liposuction would also help complete the final look. However it may not be possible to remove the entire tummy tuck scar. In any case, you have a very good figure and look fit.

Image of tummy tuck and c section

I doubt that you need a full tummy tuck based on your photo. A good examination of your muscle laxity and your soft tissue is necessary to give you a better answer of what is best for you. (Tito Vasquez, MD, FACS, Southport Plastic Surgeon)

In order to remove a vertical C-Section scar, you will have to have a full tummy tuck. In addition, your skin must be loose enough to remove all of the skin from the escutcheon to the umbilicus. Your skin may not be that loose.

You simply need to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you with the analysis. (William H. Huffaker, MD, Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck or Scar Revision for Vertical C Section Scar?

Tummy tuck and c section scar

You have an ugly, spread vertical (infra-umbilical) scar with good skin tone and fat deposits around the central portion of the tummy tuck and c section. Your history of two full term pregnancies suggest that your muscles are separated. This needs to be confirmed on physical examination.

If this is the case, I think your best option may be a tightening of the separated muscles and liposuction through the old scar and revision of the vertical scar to a nicer, narrow scar. This would avoid a new transverse scar, flatten the tummy and improve the scar.

Tummy Tuck vs C section scar revision.

Photo of tummy tuck and c section

A scar revision will only improve the appearance of an unsightly scar. On the other hand, a tummy tuck tightens loose muscles and skin from pregnancy. (William Loutfy, MD, Albuquerque Plastic Surgeon)

In your case I would do a scar revision and at the same time tighten up and bring together the separated underlying muscles (correct the diastasis recti) and do some liposuction. I don’t think from the photo that you need an abdominoplasty. (Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck and c section photo

To my experience, a vertical scar in the lower abdomen is very troublesome.

If you decide to go for the scar-trading concept, i.e. “change” the vertical scar for a horizontal abdominoplasty scar, I think that you will likely be happier with that. The abdominoplasty scar is much easier to hid on the beach.

A scar revision could make the scar look a bit neater. It seems that you current lower abodminal scar is a bit distended. (Alexander Aslani, MD, EBOPRAS, Spain Plastic Surgeon)

Unfortunately, the photograph alone doesn’t tell the whole story, a pinch test would be helpful to see how much laxity you have in the skin above the belly button as well. While it looks as though you have muscle laxity below the bellybutton a side view would help to see if laxity actually extends above the belly button.

Tummy tuck and c section surgery

While revision of your existing abdominal scar could certainly be performed it would still leave a visible scar in the vertical midline. Scar revision alone would not help address the abdominal wall laxity.

I know that the idea of a scar from a full tummy tuck is scary to many patients. But if you had enough laxity of the skin in the upper abdomen I feel that a full tummy tuck would be trading your existing scar from one that is in a more visible location to a longer, but better hidden scar. A full tummy tuck would also allow you to tighten the abdominal muscles both above and below the belly button. A partial tummy tuck may help but will not give as flat an abdomen as a full. You would also remove more stretch marks with a full. Mini would likely leave some of the vertical scar as well.

Only your surgeon can determine if you have enough laxity for full tummy tuck, but I generally favor the low, hidden horizontal scar over the visible vertical scar. (Adam Tattelbaum, MD, Washington DC Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck surgery and c section

If your abdominal skin has enough laxity you can do a tummy tuck and pull the old vertical scar down and remove it totally. The only way to know is to get a consultation and exam. Otherwise you can get some improvement with lower abdominal liposuction and a revision of the vertical scar. It will still be there but at least you could make it narrower. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)

Based on your photograph and your description, I think that that a scar revision and lower abdominal wall plication will give you the tummy tuck results you are looking for. This operation will fix the widened scar from your c-section and will also tighten the lower abdominal musculature. This will not get rid of the stretch marks however, but will save you from having the tranditional tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck horizontal scar. A good physical examination is confirm is these recommendations are right for you. (Joseph Ku, MD, Riverside Plastic Surgeon)

I would certainly qualify my answer to your question until after a thorough examination to determine your skin elasticity and muscle tone. My preference would be to perform a full tummy tuck in order to completely remove your vertical scar. At the same time your muscle tone could be improved and some liposuction of the abdomen and waist done. Finally and most important, I mark all my patients in the bathing suit they wish to wear to conceal the final scar which does extend from hip to hip in the bathing suit lines. Some minor alteration of your choice of bikinis may be require with a slightly wider amount over the hips instead of a string. (Richard Linderman, MD, Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon)