Tummy tuck before & after photos
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Tummy Tuck Cost $8,400 average cost

Will Full Tummy Tuck Remove All Scars on Stomach?

I'm getting a tummy tuck and breast augmentation sometime after Christmas! I need to know what exactly I need. I think I need a full tummy tuck and larger breasts. Will a full tummy tuck remove all my scars? Is it really necessary that I get Liposuction after the procedure? Also, when I bend backwards, my muscle sticks out right below my breasts/in between my ribs, it that fixable? I am 5ft 2in and very short-waisted. How much would all of this cost (full costs, no hidden costs please)?

Asked 27 months ago by mommyneedshelp in Indiana
Sort 24 expert answers by:
+2

Full tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck vs. liposuction

Your case would be best served by a full tummy tuck. Only this will tighten the skin, the deep layer (fascia), both above and below the belly button. It is likely that much or all of the vertical scar will be gome after the procedure. There will be, however, a hip to hip incision instead. Usually, liposuction is performed as well in strategic safe areas.
Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+5

Tummy tuck and removal of old scars

A tummy tuck removes a considerable amount of tissue between your old belly button and the low bikini line incision. The exact amount depends on the degree of skin laxity. A considerable portion of your scar can be removed, but be prepared to have some of this remain behind if your surgeon deems it safer to leave it behind rather and place too much tension along the incision line. Also consider liposuction around the hips/waist area possibly a little in the abdomen to create a... more
Young R. Cho, MD, PhD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+4

Good chance that scars will be removed

Since it appears that all your abdominal scars are below the umbilicus and you have alot of loose abdominal skin, I think that the the possiblities are good that all your scars can be removed with tummy tuck surgery. Now if you have stretch marks that extend a good ways above your belly button, not all of them can be removed with the tummy tuck operation. see video
James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and removal of C-section scars

The abdominoplasty will remove the scarring below the umbilicus but you would still be left with the upper part of your existing scar. From the photos, I think you would benefit from some flank liposuction at the time of the tummy tuck. Cost is highly dependent on your location, the facility and anesthesia charges quoted by the ambulatory center, and the individual surgeon. In NY, everything can be included in the price of surgery except for prep testing and postop pain medication, per... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Will a tummy tuck remove all of my pre-existing scars

In looking at your photos, it appears that you likely do not have enough skin from your ribcage to your belly button to be able to stretch that skin out to extend all the way down to your pubic region. For that reason your vertical scar will be displaced downward, but you will still have some of it. As to the bulging you describe, in most cases there can be sutures placed into the muscles to bring them closer together and decrease that bulging. As to needing liposuction after a tummy tuck,... more
Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars on Abdomen

Based on your photo it appears that you can eliminate the scar that is located vertically from your belly button area. Good Luck to you   Dr. Kimberly Henry
Kimberly A. Henry, MD
Greenbrae Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

If the scars are below the belly button, then it would probably be safe.  If they are above the belly button, be careful, tissue necrosis can occur.  Liposuction can help contour the hips for a better result.
Shahin Javaheri, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominoplasty for scars on stomach

You appear to have a very short distance between the bottom of your breast bone and your pubic bone. The picture doesn't allow me to see all visible scars. Without seeing you in person that is difficult. Liposuction doesn't have to be done at the same time but is typically used to enhance the result , especially in the lower flank and lower back areas. Costs depend on your city and who is performing the procedure. Please seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Robert Whitfield, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck rundown

It is difficult to give you all your answers based on a single photo. It appears that you can benefit from a tummy tuck. It will remove all the s ars below your belly button. The tummy tuck will address the issues of muscle weakness in the middle of your abdomen. Conerning cost, that varies from surgeon to surgeon, facility to facility and geographic region. You should be prepared to pay a surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee and a facility fee. Good luck!!
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and scar removal

You appear to have many scars on your abdomen and you provide no history, and I don't have benefit from exam. That said, I will render my opinion on your scar question only, based on your front view photo only. Based on your short waist and high navel position, I think that you shoule be able toget rid of most of the scars between the navel and pubic bone, but I believe that you will have a residual vertical scar connected to the transverse scar from where the navel was cut out. You may... more
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Expectation with abdominoplasty

Without examining you it is difficult to predict how much skin will be removed, but I would predict that most, if not all, of that vertical scar will be removed. I perform liposuction with almost all of my abdominoplasties, so if you have a thickened layer of abdominal fat, the liposuction can only improve the result. I am not quite sure what you are describing with your muscles, but I would expect the muscle deformities to improve after that layer is tightened during the operation. Good... more
Bruce Genter, MD
Abington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck can indeed remove lower abdominal scars

We frequently see patients for tummy tuck who have had other abdominal surgery such as C-sections and appendectomy. The tummy tuck procedure will indeed remove any scar on the abdomen below the belly button, and leave the single low transverse scar line just below the pantie line. This can be quite an advantage to those with a low mid-line, or up and down incision. Scars above the belly button don't fare as well. An old gallbladder incision will move down significantly, though a full... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon
+1

Realistic expectations with full tummy tuck

First the disclaimer: none of us can give you a complete recommendation without personally examining you. In general, the tissue below the belly button is removed so your scars will be gone, but you do have a high belly button which can be a bit of a problem in terms of getting the new scar as low as one might want. There is the possibility that an upside down "T" would be best, because of where the belly button was. In any case you should expect a very nice result and any lipo... more
Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and scars

Hi, A full abdominoplasty or tummy tuck will remove all scars below your belly button. You will have new scars around the belly button and along the lower aspect of your abdomen, in the same place that a C-section scar is usually placed. The bulging you notice when you bend is from your rectus muscles (which form the "six-pack" in men), and these will be tightened during the surgery. Based on your photograph, you look as though you would need minimal to no liposuction at that time... more
Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Expectation

A tummy tuck will remove all the excess skin, fat, stretch marks from the level of your belly button down to your waist (bikini) line (crease above your pubic area). In addition, a tighten of your muscles (rectus plication) will improve the bulging that you are experiencing. I will consider focal liposucting at the time of a tummy tuck usually limited to the waist or hips region depending on the patients preoperative anatomy. Best of luck.
C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck will remove your stomach scars

A full tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) would remove the excess skin and fatty tissue from the umbilicus to the pubic area, and this would include the vertical scar and stretch marks below the umbilicus. The new scars would be around the belly button and across the lower abdomen, extending from hip to hip. I prefer to keep the scar low (usually in the mid to upper pubic area) so you can wear a two piece bathing suit! For most women, liposuction for the hips, waist and back areas, and upper... more
Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and what to expect

A full tummy tuck will leave a permanent scar around the umbilicus and along the lower abomen in a transverse fashion. So, the vertical scar along your lower abdomen and stretch marks from the umbilicus to the lower incision for the most part will be removed. It will also give access to tighten the muscles as well. Liposuction can be done in some areas at the same time or staged as a secondary procedure.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar Removal with Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck would remove most of your scars. All of the skin and fat below your navel would be excised. Secondary lipo probably would not be needed unless you wished to have some fat removed from your upper abdomen post-op. My total cost would be about $6,000. This includes my fee, anesthesia, hospital costs, follow-up, etc. i cannot comment on your muscle question without an exam.
John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

Hi, Thank you for you question. It depends on the results you want to achieve. In your situation, you would get the best results from a full tummy tuck. This will address the areas above and below the belly button. It will get rid of most of the loose skin and tighten your abdomen. You may still need a little bit of lipo in a certain area. A fully tummy tuck should also get rid of my of your scarring. However, you will have to deal with a new scar from hip to hip. The costs will vary from... more
Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

A Tummy Tuck usually removes old Scars located between the pubis and the Belly Button

Depending how low the transverse incision / scar of a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is placed, it will usually remove any scars and stretch marks between the pubis ant the belly button. Moreover, it will put your now split six pack muscles (rectus abdominis) together, flattening the tummy bulge, narrow your waist, moderately lift a sagging Mons pubis and, if a Lockwood HLT Abdominoplasty is done, it will lift the thighs smoothing cellulite dimples. Liposuction of the back and hips can greatly... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominoplasty will correct stretch marks and abdominal buldge

From your photo and description it appears that a full abdominoplasty would be recommended. During a typical abdominoplasty a wide ellipse of skin and fat below the umbilicus is removed. The incision for the abdominoplasty basically goes from hip to hip and would convert your vertical scar below the umbilicus to a low transverse one. This low transverse incision will be designed to be well hidden below underwear or bathing suit bottoms. The bulge that you are describing in the upper... more
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck options

What you would benefit most from is a full tummy tuck which will tighten your round lax muscles and remove all of the skin that have scars and trade them for one lower horizontal scar.  You might benefit from some flank liposuction but you could skip this also since the TT will be so dramatic. 
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes, a TummyTuck will remove all of your scars below your belly button

Yes, a tummy tuck will remove all of the scars i can see in the picture. In trade, you will have a scar across your lower abdomen. Liposuction is an option that can be performed at the same time as the tummy tuck or at a later time. Liposuction is never a need, it is a want. It will definitely improve your shape, but it is up to you if you have it simultaneously, later or never. As far as the bulge below your ribs, this might be muscle or it may be a hernia. How much this will all cost will... more
Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

A full tummy tuck will remove the scars between your pelvis and belly button

When I perform an abdominal paniculectomy (tummy tuck) I will do suction of the abdominal area and usually the hip area and remove all the skin and remaining fat between the lower incision at the level of the pubis and the incision about the umbilicus (belly button). This is only if the skin is loose enough to remove all this and still close the wound. Your plastic surgeon should be able to determine this pre operatively. Very infrequently the hole where the belly button is taken free from... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
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