Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

Placement of TT scar.

The tummy tuck scar should be as low as possible and as short as possible. You are a perfectly excellent candidate for a very low and very short scar. Forget the first consultation and see others with more experience.

Be sure and choose only real surgeons that have FACS after their name and are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. (George Commons, MD, Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck scar can always be placed low

There is no reason why the tummy tuck scar cannnot be kept low, where a C-section scar is.

Pic of abdominoplasty low incision surgery image

The trade-off is that the lax skin that is now above the belly button may not be completely removed, but it will be pulled smoother and tighter. That is much better than having a scar too high. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy tuck incision location.

I agree with the other post that I would place the incision where the c section scar is located to keep the final scar low and the best cosmetic outcome.

If a short vertical scar is needed then a year after the procedure the skin has relaxed and the vertical scar can often be removed in the office with local anesthesia at a minimal cost. A year with the vertical scar beats a lifetime of a scar that is too high! (Gregory T. Lynam, MD, Richmond Plastic Surgeon)

Surgeon Said I May Need a Higher Than Normal Scar?

Abdominoplasty very low incision photo

I personally think that that is not a great surgical plan. The issue is that if there is not enough laxity above the navel, such that the skin from lower breastbone to navel cannot reach the scar, then you have to deal with the circular incision around the navel.

The better approach is to leave a small vertical scar to close the navel. Often, a year later as the abdominal tissue stretches a bit, this can be excised in the office under local anesthesia.

The alternative of making a high TT incision results in the entire incision being too high, and not really fixable, rather than a small vertical incision. Only an exam can determine how lax is the skin – I can’t tell from the photo. A second opinion may be worthwhile. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Low placement of TT scar

First of all your section scar won’t stay where it is; it will go up. Pull up on you abdominal tissues as hard as you can and that’s where it will end up. An incision will be made around your umbilicus and that will create a hole in the abdominal flap. If the tissues aren’t pulled down far enough to reach the lower horizontal incision that hole will have to be closed as a vertical scar.

As I said in my other reply, your central tissues look very damaged. The surgeon you saw has the advantage of having examined you and determined that skin may not survive undermining and need to be excised hence his recommendations. What you have learned here is that actual examinations have an advantage over online advice.

In the future It would be best if you be more honest and post one question with all your thoughts. Don’t wast our time. (Lori H. Saltz, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)