Vertical scar tummy tuck
Scars like your are very common, and a well-done tummy tuck is almost always successful in removing all evidence of them, in addition to the other obvious shape benefits of the tummy tuck procedure.
With modern scar minimization techniques and suture techniques, the scar you trade for is much more favorable. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
Most of your scar should be removed by Tummy Tuck
It is likely that the scar you describe may be removed. The portion that extends above the umbilicus will usually be moved down to the area just above the pubic area.
Vertical scar tummy tuck image
If your upper abdominal skin is quite loose, you are more likely to see the entire scar disappear. Your surgeon should be able to estimate the outcome for you. (Sutton Graham II, MD, Greenville Plastic Surgeon)
Excising the vertical scar
How much of the vertical scar you could remove is dependent upon the location of the apron (usually lower abdomen), the amount and laxity of the abdominal skin that is free of the vertical scar, and the relative position of the vertical scar (you said it went above the belly-button so it is more centrally located than the lower abdomen).
Vertical scar tummy tuck photo
While you could remove the vertical scar, you would be trading it for a horizontal scar, the position of which depends on the things I mentioned above. It is possible that because the vertical scar goes above the belly-button, if it goes relatively high, your horizontal scar might need to be placed relatively high on the abdomen and may be more difficult to hide in certain clothes.
We ideally like to place abdominoplasty scar as low as possible to allow it to be hidden with shorts and bikini bottoms. (Robin T.W. Yuan, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Yes, a very good chance Tummy Tuck will work
Vertical scar tummy tuck picture
Tummy Tuck is a very popular operation. I have done several hundred. I have certainly done numerous ones on patients like you. The skin has to be separated off the underlying muscle so that the excess skin can to pulled down and removed in a horizontal direction.
In your case, the skin removed would contain the vertical scar so that you would be rid of it forever. It is not an easy operation to go through, but the results can be spectacular. (E. Anthony Musarra II, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy Tuck could excise most of the scar
A tummy tuck could take out most of this scar. As the skin is pulled down, the portion of the skin harboring the scar will be excised as well as the abdominal apron. (Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)
