Would I Be a Candidate for Abdominoplasty? I Have Had A Vertical Scar Since Infancy

asked 5 months ago by Emelyn in Alliance, OH
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 125 times
Tags: candidate, hernia repair, pain, vertical scar

I have a vertical scar running from just below my breastbone down and around my umbilicus. This is from a hernia repair when I was 5 days old. The extra weight is pulling on this scar and causing pain. I am 29 and had 2 children. I went from 112 lbs. to 195 lbs. in 8 years. I have a medium skin tone. I just want the pain and extra skin to go away. Would an abdominoplasty help?

10 answers to Would I Be a Candidate for Abdominoplasty? I Have Had A Vertical Scar Since Infancy

Tummy tuck after an upper vertical scar

With your weight gains and loss and pregnancy, you will have sufficient lower abdominal laxity to have a successful tummy tuck. The old scar will be released underneath and advance to a small degree lower on the abdomen, and perhaps enlongate slightly, though the tummy tuck will indeed 'work' and the extra skin can be removed. The pain is an unknown issue as very old scars seldom hurt. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Hernia repair and painful scar

A tummy tuck will removed the excess skin and tissue between your belly button and pubic area but there is no guarantee that it will fix the pain you are having in your upper abdominal scar. You could also have the scar revised at the time of tummy tuck which may help but again, without seeing you, not for sure.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty with pre-existing scar.

HI, You may well be a good candidate for abdominopalsty-the vertical scar can be revised at the time of surgery (if needed). If you have had weight gain and loss as well as pregnancies, then you probably have enough laxity of the tissue to allow for a full tummy tuck. Pain is always a tricky thing to treat, and there is no guarantee that it will improve with the surgery, but it may well be that release and revision of the scar will help the pain as well. i hope this helps... more

Daniel A. Medalie, MD
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description, you may be a great candidate for tummy tuck surgery. This operation will serve to remove the “extra skin” and repair the diastasis recti that often occurs with pregnancy. If your scar is the source of your pain, then releasing it ( and its tethering effect) may be helpful although it is not possible to promise that you will be symptom-free after this procedure. I would suggest... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

A vertical scar does not prevent you from getting a tummy tuck

The presence of a vertical scar in your abdomen does not prevent you from getting a tummy tuck - assuming you are a good tummy tuck candidate. In fact, it may work to your advantage. Your surgeon may be able to perform a tummy tuck using the standard low transverse incision bait also use the vertical scar to make things even tighter. This will allow your surgeon to narrow your waist more than he/she could with only the transverse incision. Because you already have the up and down... more

Matthew Schulman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Vertical abdominal scars don't impact abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty can be performed safely with a pre-existing vertical abdominal scar. Such scars don't interfere with abdominal circulation. The goal of abdominoplasty is to get rid of excess abdominal skin and tighten abdominal muscles. However, abdominoplasty is not likely to impact abdominal pain.

Vasdev Rai, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty

Without pictures or seeing you in person it is impossible to give you specific advice. However, if you have extra skin, then a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty may help. The vertical scar should not affect your surgery and may actually be improved. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Vertical Scar and Tummy Tuck

Your scar is not a contraindication to getting an abdominoplasty. It will be positioned lower after the procedure and will do around the belly button. Sometimes excess skin can also be removed by revision of the vertical scar as well. Your pain may be caused by an incisional hernia which can be repaired at the same surgery if present.

Donald Griffin, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Vertical Scar Does Not Preclude a Tummy Tuck

We often do tummy tucks on patients with vertical scars. The scar that you have will be moved lower on the abdominal wall and will still be present. If that scar is poor, it can also be revised. You need to see a board certified surgeon for an exam to determine the best course of action. They will also look for a hernia and see if weight loss will be in your best interest. Good Luck.

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

Vertical scar and tummy tuck

A vertical scar does not mean you can't have a tummy tuck. It only means that you will probably still have a vertical scar afterwards. But be careful getting surgery to treat any type of abdominal pain. It's never a good idea to operate to get rid of pain. Make sure that you don't have a hernia.