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Tummy Tuck Procedure Scar Size?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 2,689 times
Tags: surgery scar

I do not have a lot of excess skin and fat around my abdomen, but enough that I think I may need a tummy tuck or liposuction. How big of a scar will I have from a tummy tuck procedure?

18 answers to Tummy Tuck Procedure Scar Size?

Tummy Tuck Scars

While any tummy tuck procedure will lead to a scar, the length of the scar is dependent on the amount of extra skin that has been removed and the care that is taken.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty scars

Mini abdominoplasty scars can be slightly longer than c-section scars. Full abdominoplasties that include tightening of the rectus muscles will be slightly longer and include a scar around your umbilicus. One of the scar areas of concern for full abdominoplasty involves the belly button which can look strange post-operatively. In our San Francisco area practice we've developed techniques to minimize the appearance of scars and create fantastic looking belly buttons after tummy tucks. Ask... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Scar Size Varies

Questions about the size of the scar are common as you can imagine. The answer varies depending on the extent of the tummy tuck. here are a list of the various tummy tuck procedures and who they are best suited for: There are variations of the standard operation, including “mini-tucks”, which may be of benefit to patients who require only tightening of the abdominal muscles or removal of a small amount of skin with a scar at the pubic hairline. On the other extreme, patients... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Shorten your tummy tuck scar with a MINI tummy tuck

No two patients and no two tummy tucks are the same. When planning a tummy tuck it is very important to review the surgical plan and techniques with your surgeon. If you don't have a lot of excess fat on the hips and you have minimal stretch marks, a mini tummy tuck may just be the procedure you're looking for. A mini tummy tuck will limit the length of your incision and also minimize or eliminate any scars around your belly button. All of my tummy tuck patients bring their favorite... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Size of Tummy Tuck Scar

The size of your scar depends on how much skin is removed. This will depend on skin looseness and laxity. In general, the more loose skin, the longer the incision to get superior results. Depending on your particular body type, a short incision tummy tuck or mini tuck can give some patients improvement. Liposuction may or may not be used, as well, to further improve the area. Your best bet is to consult with a reputable surgeon who can look at your body type and excess skin and make a... more

Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck scars can be short or long

The length of a scar depends on the amount of skin to be excised. If there is only a small amount of skin then a "mini" tummy tuck may be appropriate and the scar may only be a few inches (not much longer than a c-section scar). If more skin needs to be resected then the incision can be from hip to hip and possibly longer.

Irvin M. Wiesman, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scar

I feel one who is not sure whether they should have liposuction on their abdomen or a tummy tuck should work hard to find a plastic surgeon who feels comfortable doing both procedures so that the final decision is based upon the needs of the patient and not the adequacy of the plastic surgeon. Liposuction is best for the patient who has more of a problem with fat on their stomach rather than excess skin. Liposuction covers a great area on the abdomen, from the pubis to the breasts and from... more

John K. Long, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck vs. Lipo

The decision about tummy tuck or lipo should be made in consultation with a plastic surgeon who does both procedures. If the skin is loose enough that a tummy tuck is recommended, then lipo is not going to work. The length of the scar depends on how much skin needs to be removed. Regardless of length, it would be done so that it can be concealed and we have very few issues with patients disliking the scars because of what the tummy tuck accomplishes.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scar

The scar for the tummy tuck depend on two factors: 1: how much laxity of skin you have abve the belly button 2: how much skin laxity you have below the belly button. Mini abdominoplasty adresses the laxity of skin in the lower abdomen, the scar is shorter Full abdominoplasty to tighten the skin of the entire abdomen, relocate the belly button and tighten the muscles will be from hip to hip.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck procedure scar size

The length of the scar in a Tummy Tuck procedure TOTALLY depends on the amount of loose skin that needs to be removed (Similar to the length of a hem line in a dress). The less loose skin - the shorter the incision / scar. Your surgeon should be able to hide the scar within the confines of the vast majority of women's underwear worn today. So, from a visibility point of view the only thing that could be seen (with a trained eye) is a small scar around the belly button. The rest is well... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Scars after tummy tuck

I don't want to frighten you, but most lifts leave you with unsightly scars. There are many things surgeons do to improve a scar's appearance. Today, we suture almost every incision under the skin, leaving no stich marks or "railroad tracks." Working with the patient, a surgeon can also best determine the positioning of most scars. Before surgery, find out what kind of sutures your doctor favors: Some use traditional sutures, some staples, some dissolving sutures (my... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Length of Tummy Tuck scar depends on YOU

Everyone has a different amount of skin in the lower abdomen. This is the main determining factor as to how long the scar will be. IF you are curious, ask your surgeon, they should have had a good idea

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

The lenght of the scar is tailored the the amount of excess skin

The length of the scar is related to amount of the extra skin . The combination of the liposuction and tummy tuck will give you the best result. The quality of the scar also depend on the skin type and your genetics.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Mini tummy tuck vs lipo vs standard tummy tuck

Scar length is determined by skin excess and also your goal. Look at the first patient on my video - she has generalized laxity but could describe herself exactly the same way that you do. If you really have minimal laxity with the majority located below the belly button, a mini tuck may work for you. If you have generalized laxity and want a dynamite result, then you will need a standard tummy tuck (hipbone to hipbone scar) as chosen by my video patient. First establish your goals, and... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Size of tummy tuck scars depend on the amount of loose skin to be removed

A mini tummy tuck done for a very small amount of loose skin removal can be hidden beneath the bikini line and be 6-8 inches long just at the pubic hairline. However most mini tummy tucks in fact require a scar that extends out from the pubic hair to the hip region-but these extensions can be placed under the bikini line as well. Fullabdominoplasty scars are longer and also place a scar around the belly button. If you do not have loose skin and only need fat removal, liposuction scars can be... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Tummy Tuck incision length

SEE VIDEO BELOW: A tummy tuck incision length is typically related to the amount of skin that needs to be removed. If you do not have alot of skin, you could successfully be treated with a mini tummy tuck or short scar tummy tuck. In any event, the scars, even if long, can be concealed by an undergarment or bathing suit. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

The length of the scar depends entirely on how much...

The length of the scar depends entirely on how much extra skin you have and on how much change you want to see. The shorter scar procedures like a mini tummy tuck take off less skin and produce less tightening. The longer scars are required to remove more excess skin but also yield a tighter, flatter abdomen. The scar will fade with time also.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

The scar can vary. If a mini-tummy tuck is performed...

The scar can vary. If a mini-tummy tuck is performed then the scar is about the same length as a c-section scar. If a full tummy tuck is required it is usually from hip to hip, most commonly hidden below the underwear line.