Tummy tuck with vertical scar
Looking at your photos shows me 2 things: you have little excess skin and you are long waisted. You would probably benefit from a mini tummy tuck with a shorter scar. It’s difficult to lower a scar, especially when the original one was already placed under some tension. Get a second opinion. (Richard Chaffoo, MD, FACS, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Most tummy tucks only require bikini incision
Your described situation and posted photographs of your abdomen are suitable for a standard bikini line tummy tuck. I see no reason for any secondary surgery after you recover from a properely done Tummy Tuck. (Vasdev Rai, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)
Can tummy tuck with no vertical scar
It would be nearly impossible to lower the scar significantly later if the first TT was done to max tightness. Do NOT get a scar higher than you can hide under your swim wear on the first surgery. Better to have a small vertical scar (1-2″) and keep the long scar LOW. (Ronald V. DeMars, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
In my opinion, it is usually not necessary to have a vertical scar with a full tummy tuck. We do make a circular incision around the belly button, leaving it attached to the abdominal wall. Then we make another circle higher up on the abdominal skin after pulling the skin and fat down to bring the belly button out. Rarely is it necessary to make a vertical scar with the tummy tuck. But individual plastic surgeons may vary in their technique, and some may feel that a vertical scar is necessary. We would have to examine you personally to give a more definitive answer. (James Tang, MD)
Vertical scar probable in your case
Tummy tuck with vertical scar need
I do believe you will have a vertical scar for several reasons. You really don’t seem to have a lot of excess skin even though you have stretch marks. You seem to be in great shape. You have a high belly button making it harder to get out the scar when doing a TT. Finally, once the scar is high, it is always high. If you pull too much you can have wound healing complications as well as elecvating the pubic area too high. So I do believe you surgeon suggesting the vertical scar is right.
There might be another option, and this would have to be determined by examining you in person. If the muscle laxity bothers you you could do a diastasis repair using a mini tummy tuck incision low in the abdomen. This would still allow you to wear any type of bathing suit without a scar showing. Some surgeons might even “float the belly button down 1-2 centimeters to fix the skin above the belly button. You might want to go on several more consultations before making a final decision. (Steven Schuster, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)
Vertical scar is rarely necessary with tummy tuck
Tummy tuck with vertical scar photo
This is a difficult question to answer without examining you in person. If you have enough excess skin; and this should be determined with you in a seated, flexed position; then a traditional tummy tuck can be performed without the need for a vertical extension. I would be skeptical of going back to the operating room to “lower” the scar as this is typically not met with much success. Consult with a few more board certified plastic surgeons to get more opinions if you are still uncertain. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck without a vertical scar
Tummy tuck without a vertical scar depends on the amount of skin laxity present which allows the skin from the belly button area to move all the way down to where a C-section scar might be. If the skin will not reach, a very small vertical scar perhaps an inch or less will be present on the lower tummy.
The key to the best tummy tuck is to keep the hip scar very low, where it is easy to conceal under clothing or underwear. The vertical scar will be a minor problem. A high tummy tuck scar is another matter, pulling the pubic skin upward, and revision is rarely successful. (Peter E. Johnson, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)
