I find that thin patients get excellent results from abdominoplasty. There is a real misconception that this is a full-figured patient’s operation and that is simply untrue. I don’t think you need a vertical scar.
The incision can be placed in your panty line to make it as invisible as possible. (Robert L. Kraft, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)
When performing an abdominoplasty, we typically address three things: excess skin, muscle laxity, and excess fat under the skin.
Each person is a bit different, especially with regard to how much (if any) fat removal is needed. Our goal is to get a flat, tight stomach- which I expect you could expect to see as well.
With regard to the vertical scar, If you have adequate laxity above your belly button, there will not be a vertical scar. However, sometimes, it can be difficult to pull the abdominal tissues all the way down so that the old belly button hole reaches the tummy tuck (horizontal) scar while keeping that scar very low. IF a vertical scar is needed, these most often heal very well and appear as a single stretch mark. (Lawrence Iteld, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
It is not the weight that is important. It is the contour. Yours can use some help even though you are small. The vertical scar that you are being told about is because the skin above your naval has to be pulled down to the incision and sometimes it does not allow the hole that was placed in the skin being redraped to come down far enough to be excised.
If this is the case, the circle in the redraped tissue is turned into a straight line in the central part of the abdomen. This can happen and it is totally dependent upon where your scar is in the lower abdomen and how much flexablilty there is in the redraped skin. It is impossible to see how your upper skin stretchability is from your pics but even if you have a small vertical scar in the area above the transverse tummy tuck scar, it usually is not a biggie and heals nicely. One way to avoid it is to raise the transverse tummy tuck incision..not in my practice !! (Steven M. Lynch, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)
You are a great candidate for a tummy tuck on thin person. The surgery will not get rid of all the stretch marks, but will remove most of them. I disagree that your will need a small vertical scar.
Your surgery should be able to be performed without the vertical portion. Maybe the surgeons are telling you that it is a possibility and not a certainty. Your case is pretty typical and in cases like yours, I have never needed to include a vertical scar. (Ronald J. Edelson, MD, )
Tummy Tuck on Thin Patients
Some of the best results I have seen with a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) have been on thin patients. From your photos, you are an ideal candidate. You should be able to avoid a vertical scar if the surgeon undermines the skin from your belly button to your sternum. It will be tight, but this is temporary.
The vertical scar is actually your original belly button moved down. In my opinion, this can be avoided by pulling the skin above your belly button all the way down to your lower scar. (Martin O’Toole, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Thin Patients Actually Get Best Results From Tummy Tuck
I think that you are likely to get a very nice result from a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks lead to better results in patients who are at or somewhat under “normal weight”. I cannot tell from your photo if a small verical scar would be required. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
I think you would have a great result with a tummy tuck, and perhaps a little liposuction in the flank area. Most (but not all) of your stretch marks could be eliminated along with the loose skin. Be sure to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. (Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck for thin woman
From the photos you appears to be a great candidate for tummy tuck on thin person. Because you are thin and does not have any significant amount of fat around the waist areas, you probably do not need liposuction as part of the tummy tuck.
There should be enough loose skin so you wouldn’t end it up with small vertical scar. Most of the stretch marks would be resected and what remain will be place at the lowest part of your abdomen. Find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. (Stewart Wang, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
You appear to be an ideal patient for tummy tuck. Since you have minimal amount of inta abdominal fat , your muscles tightening can be optimal and give you a real flat stomack. You might end up with a small vertical scar in the mid lower abdomen if the skin of the upper abdomen is tight.
In your case, though, the scar will heal very nicely due to your thin skin that is evident from the strech marks. So in summary, you should get the result that you are looking for as long as you consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. (Shlomo Widder, MD, Washington DC Plastic Surgeon)