Tummy Tuck Q&A
94%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
2,299 Reviews
Tummy Tuckbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tummy Tuck Cost: $7,925

Learn about Tummy Tuck

7,722 people and 861 doctors are talking about Tummy Tuck

Get Free Email Updates

Laser Tattoo Removal Before Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by tummytucknow in usa
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 38,544 times
Tags: removal, tattoo

I am 5'3'' and weigh about 131 lbs. I have excess skin left over from pregnancy that wrinkles up above problem is I also have a tattoo of a daisy chain around my belly button. Can I have Laser Tattoo Removal before undergoing Tummy Tuck? If so, how soon after the procedure can I have Tummy Tuck?

8 answers to Laser Tattoo Removal Before Tummy Tuck?

+3

Have the Tummy Tuck first

As everyone else has resoundingly said below - have the tummy tuck first. I would not consider a higher scar than usual because scars are permanent and a higher scar will be visible above your panty line. Choose a normal low scar and when you have healed you can treat the remaining tattoo with removal. An even cheaper and simpler scenario is to revise the tattoo in its lower position and combine the new part of the tattoo with camouflage for the scar. The central part of the tummy tuck scar... more
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tattoo Removal generally not advisable before Abdominoplasty

Depending on the location of the tattoo, you may not need to undergo the laser removal, the tattoo might be in an area where the skin is being resected. Generally speaking, you would seek to avoid damaging any of the skin that might be under stretch as part of the surgery, so I would recommend that laser tattoo removal not be undertaken prior to abdominoplasty. However, the issue should be evaluated on an individual basis, and during the consultation, the surgeon can help determine what... more
Manish Raj Gupta, MD

Toledo Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy tuck first then remove what is left of the tattoo

As the doctor stated above, tattoo removal will take a very long time, over a year and multiple treatments. A tummy tuck will remove about half of the tattoo and what is left will be low near your bathing suit line. There will also be fewer laser treatments necessary to remove the tatoo if half is removed by surgery. Ask your doctor for his opinion, but I would do the tummy tuck first.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+2

Would make more sense to do it after

It will probably take many laser treatments to remove the tattoo, so your surgery might be waiting awhile. if you have the surgery first, there will probably be some of the tattoo removed , leaving less work to do with the laser.
Bruce K. Barach, MD

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

+1

Laser tattoo removal takes multiple treatments

Yes, but keep in mind that laser tattoo removal does require multiple treatments, as much as ten or more, once per month or six weeks apart, so this could delay your Tummy Tuck.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Your tattoo can be removed with a modified tummy tuck.

To tummytucknow, Hi! All of your tattoo can be removed with a tummy tuck. In order to do that, the tummy tuck scar would probably have to be placed HIGHER than normal. A higher scar does not look as good. But for you, this is the best compromise, because laser tattoo removal does not work that well.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoo removal before tummy tuck? That is backward!

You should have the tummy tuck first! Most, and if you are lucky, all of the tattoo will be removed with the tummy tuck. I would therefore recommend that you have the tummy tuck first, and then, after you are healed, and after you check with your surgeon, proceed with any laser tattoo removal that is needed.
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question