Full TT That Needs Vertical Incision Due to Thin Skin Around Navel, Is This Technique Normal?

asked 4 months ago by Destrehan
Latest answer by Ankit Desai, MD
Question viewed 218 times
Tags: normal, technique, thin skin, vertical scar

I'm considering a full TT and recently had a consultation with a PS. The PS is concerned about tissues in umbilical area which are much thinner than other tissues. He is recommending Removing this skin which will lead to a vertical scar in addition to the standard transverse scar and the umbilical scar. I saw 2 other surgeons in the US and no one ever mentioned this before. I had to move to the UK before I could do the surgery so this is a UK board certified physician. Does this sound right?

Update: Photos Added 1/11/12

6 answers to Full TT That Needs Vertical Incision Due to Thin Skin Around Navel, Is This Technique Normal?

Vertical Scar during Tummy Tuck

Sometimes a vertical scar maybe necessary in patients undergoing tummy tucks. The vertical scar is from where the belly button used to be attached to the abdominal skin. The scar is typically small and very low. The occasional need for this scar comes when there is some loose skin, but not enough to remove all the skin from the belly button down to a very low scar. If this type of patient, the trade off is a small vertical scar or having your horizontal scar slightly higher. You do have a... more

Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and Vertical Incision?

Thank you for the question and pictures. I think the plastic surgeon you have seen with concerns about thin tissues around the umbilical area is raising a valid concern. Generally, I would suggest that you pick a well experienced board-certified plastic surgeon to do your operation. At that point, ask that he/she does whatever is necessary to avoid complications and to keep the operation as safe as possible. If a short vertical incision is necessary, this will not... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck technique

Your tummy is somewhat unique in appearance. You have a diastasis of your muscles where they have split and a protuberance of your tummy. What does your tummy look like when you say down flat? If it still protrudes, you will have some difficulty obtaining the result you may dream of. If you have a lot of skin laxity, a vertical scar is very nice to help resect as much skin as possible BUT if you are darkly complected, you risk for poor scarring is higher... more

Curtis Wong, MD
Redding Plastic Surgeon

Routine TT does NOT require a vertical scar

The skin around the belly button is removed at the time of the TT, the fact it's thin is irrelevant. The only part that remains is the umbilical stalk and it's always thin. From what you described, I see no reason for a vertical scar, however you may need another surgical opinion. Best of Luck, Gary M. Horndeski, M.D.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Vertical scar in tummy tuck

Thanks for posting your pictures. You have a very large rectus divarication, and the skin just above your umbilicus is damaged. What happens is that the fat under the skin splits apart, leaving your skin without the normal thickness of fat underneath it. It is repairable though I think, and I would not recommend a vertical scar. A conventional tummy tuck should do well, and once the muscle repair is done there will be plenty of loose skin to enable a low transverse scar only. One... more

Howard Webster, MBBS, MBA
Melbourne Plastic Surgeon

www.arcplasticsurgery.com.au

Vertical scar

In some cases a vertical scar is necessary in addition to the lower horizontal scar. There are a number of reasons for this. Usually the scar is relatively short and low on the abdomen adjacent to the horizontal scar so it will be covered by most bathing suits etc. I have not found that patients object to that scar if it is necessary and because typically the improvement from the tummy tuck procedure is quite significant so it outweighs the presence of the scar. Thank... more

Ralph R. Garramone, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

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