Mini Tummy Tuck Q&A
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Mini Tummy Tuck Incision Placement?

asked 3 years ago by Holly J in KY
Latest answer by Remus Repta, MD
Question viewed 3,435 times
Tags: incision

I am 5'2, 105 pounds, and in pretty good shape. I am considering a Mini Tummy Tuck. I think the underlying muscle is ok, it feels firm and I have very little remaining fat on my stomach. It looks firm and tight when I stand up straight but when I bend over, my stomach sags terribly. The skin on my lower abdomen has a very soft and loose feel to it. I am very self conscious of this, as I was in excellent shape prior to having my second child. My concern is that I don't want to wind up with a huge visible scar. Can the incision be placed low enough that it is mostly camoflauged in the line of pubic hair?

33 answers to Mini Tummy Tuck Incision Placement?

+2

Low Mini-Abdominoplasty Incision

The mini-abdominoplasty incision can, indeed, be quite low.  In fact, patients can usually wear the lowest Brazilian cut jeans available, which hit a mere 7cm from the upper aspect of the vulvar commissure.  I usually place the incision at 5cm from the upper aspect of the vulvar commissure.  In addition, I remove the hair follicles superior to the incision line so that no pubic hair will be visible on the abdomen.  Thus, the... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck incision

Hello, All tummy tuck incisions should ideally be hidden by a two piece swimsuit. Take a look at your plastic surgeons before and after photos and discuss your goals and desires. There is no reason not to have a final incision that is at your pubic bone and well concealed by even the smallest of bikini bottoms. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Placement of incision for mini tummy tuck...

Your surgeon would have to evaluate you to make sure you are a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck.  The results are best if you have only lower abdominal loose skin and your stomach muscles do not need to be tightened.  If this is the case then the incision is smaller than a full tummy tuck and is placed lower in the bikini area, therefore it would be less visible.
Shain A. Cuber, MD

Marlboro Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini surgery delivers Mini Results

Remember these words. Mini surgery will give you mini results. Just from your description of yourself I can guarantee you that you will be unhappy with the results of a mini tummy tuck. If there is any skin laxity at all, the results of a mini, pale in comparison to a well executed Bikini Tummy Tuck. You will still have loose skin, and maybe a deformed belly button, with not such a mini scar. Only 1 to 2% of women really qualify for a mini tummy tuck. The big problem is that... more
Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy-tuck scar very low

The big advantage of a mini tummy-tuck, is that the scar can go as low as you like.  The limitation is that you are not treating the skin above the navel.  As long as all the looseness is below the navel, it sounds like a good option to consider.
Mario Loomis, MD

Middletown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-Tummy Tucks

The scar for the Mini-tummy tuck goes as low as the beginning of your pubic hair and follows the natural crease of the loose skin.   Mini-tummy tuck procedures are for areas of tummy you want to have flatten and extra skin removed on a permanent basis and exercise does not help these areas.   Most often with my mini-tummy tucks I can repair the tummy muscle wall and maintain your belly button with no scar around your belly button.  At your consultation I examine your... more
John Ward, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.johnwardmd.com

+1

Mini tummy tuck incision placement

Mini tummy tuck scars can be put where you want them. Mini tummy tucks are a great option for women with some abdominal laxity in the lower part of the abdomen.  With mini tummy tucks, frequently the abdominal muscles are not addressed.  The skin which is removed is the lower skin, below the belly button.  There is no scar at the belly button.  As for where exactly the scar is placed, you have the ability with a mini to put it as high or low as you want it. ... more
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy for Lower Abdominal Laxity

The mini tummy tummy can give maximum results. The key is doing it for the correct person. The scar is placed horizontally, just above the pubic region, and below the bikini line. This makes it easy to hide in clothing. Unlike a full tummy tuck, there is no scar around the belly button.  A mini tummy tuck can tighten the skin and muscle below the belly button. It can remove excess fat in the lower abdomen, and it is frequently combined with liposuction to reduce fat on other... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck Incision

The incision for a mini tummy tuck can, in most patients, easily be placed within the pubic hair region, well-concealed within the bikini line.  This is an excellent procedure for the right patient.  Based on your description, and height and weight profile, you would probably fair well with this procedure which is designed for the patient with lower abdominal wall laxity that doesn't necessarily require tightening of the abdominal musculature or repositioning of the... more
Jeffrey Weinzweig, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-tummy tuck incisions can be hidden low

For many who are good candidates for a mini-tummy-tuck, the incision can be placed about 6-8 cm above the labia, and hence can be well hidden.  If you already have a C-section scar, that can be re-purposed to achieve a mini-tummy-tuck.  You should still be able to wear hip hugger pants without the scar being visible in most cases.
Navin K. Singh, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini-tummy tuck is ideal for a patient who has only lower abdominal laxity.  The incisions are very low and short.  It is usually hidden by the pubic hairline similar to a C-section scar.  The muscle can be tightened and fat can be removed.  It can also be done in conjunction with liposuction which can help remove some excess fat in both the upper and lower belly.
T.Y. Steven Ip, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Optimizing incision in mini tummy tuck

Typically a mini tummy tuck incision is placed just above the pubic bone, in pubic area.  The lateral extent (how wide to side it goes) of incision depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.  A well trained and experienced surgeon can decide on the minimal  extent of the incision that's needed to obtain a meaningful result.  I have seen a number of patients that came to me for revision of tummy tucks, in whom prior surgeon tried to limit how long the... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars should be hidden with a mini abdominoplasty

The location of the scars following your mini tummy tuck are based on your surgeons markings preoperatively. Where the scar ends up is afunction of your skins elasticity and the tension placed on the tissue. From your description it does not sound like this is a challenging notion, however issues related to the tightening of the abdominal wall(plication) and the position of the umbilicus in relation to the skin and pubis will have an influence on final scar position.
Nick Masri, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-Tummy Tuck Scar

The scar from a mini-tummy tuck is concealed at or just above the pubic bone. This is similar to the placement of C-section scars. In addition, the scar is often much shorter than a traditional tummy tuck scar. Most women find that the scar is easily hidden in both bikini bottoms as well as underwear.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Mini tummy tuck scar can be placed very low

I try to place the central portion of my tummy tuck scars about 5-6 cm above the vulvar commisure- that's pretty low- the lateral portions of the scar are low as well. Mini tummy tuck scars can be quite short, especially if you only have muscle laxity and very little extra skin below the belly button. In my experience, only about 5-10% of tummy tuck patients are good candidates for a 'mini' tummy tuck. Most patients have some skin laxity above the belly button, which a mini tummy... more
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar location for mini-tummy tuck

The scar can be placed quite low for a mini-tummy tuck.  I typically have patients wear underwear or swimwear the day of surgery so I can place the incision within the boundary of their garment.  The incision can be tailored to a patient's particular anatomy within reason.  The lower incisions have evolved over the years to conform to the trends in women's fashion (ex. low rise jeans).  Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine first if... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Placement of the Mini tummy Tuck incision

In our practice, patients appreciate their Mini tummy Tuck incision. On the day of surgery, we ask that the patient bring her favorite bikini so that we can customize the incision so that it will always be hidden underneath her favorite bikini style. We also take great care to make the incision as short as possible and to use the lines that are already on her torso. If the patient has had a previous C-section, we can place our incision below the C-section incision.   more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

+1

Mini Tummy Tuck incision placement

Interesting request. I feel even though you failed to post photos that you can achieve the result you desire as for the lower incision placement. Good Luck from MIAMI Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck scar should be low and out of sight

One big advantage of the mini is that the scar can be quite low where it will be easily concealed. The disadvantage is that it doesn't do anything to improve the upper abdomen, above the belly button. So if you excess skin problem is confined to the lower abdomen but the upper is in good shape, you should get a very nice result from the mini.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck Incision

A mini tummy tuck usually means a short low scar.  Through this, the muscle could also be tightened and fat suctioned, if needed.  Because of the short scar, the amount of skin that can be removed and thus tightened is limited. But, if you just need a little tightening a mini tummy tuck would be perfect.  Your doctor will be able to tell you what you need and show you the location and length of the scar.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck and low scar

A mini Tummy Tuck (MTK) scar can be placed quite low along the pubic line. The length of the scar depends on how much skin needs to be resected. The muscles can also be tightened if needed. If you have alot of loose skin above the belly button then a MTK is not the best operation and a full tummy tuck may be more appropriate.
Irvin M. Wiesman, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-Tummy Tuck scar location

The mini-tummy tuck scar will be made down on your pubic area, below the bikini line but realize that this scar will extend sideways, and is longer than a typical C-section scar. It does sound like you are probably a candidate for it, but it would be a mistake to do a mini-tummy tuck just to get a shorter scar than a regular tummy tuck, if you have anytthing other than just loose skin in your lower abdomen. If you have a loose abdominal wall or loose skin on your central and upper abdomen,... more
Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon
+1

Be careful with Mini Tummy Tuck

Hello, Mini tummy tuck surgery improves in a much lesser way than a full tummy tuck operation. I have seen women who have come after having one elsewhere and were unhappy that things were not more improved. Get a few opinions before having one of these procedures to be sure that it is the right operation for you.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini-tummy tuck incision

A mini-tummy tuck incision can be placed very low on the abdomen. This can most certainly be placed within or just at the edge of the pubic hairline.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Length of a mini tummy tuck incision depends on skin laxity

Holly- In short, yes, a MINI-tummy tuck can be a great option for the right patient. Sounds like you are that candidate, but I recommend you see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to make a definitive decision on this. A full Tummy tuck in my hands means elevating the skin from the lower abdomen up to the ribs, removing the excess, repairing separated muscles and any hernias that are present, and making a new belly button. The "MINI" tummy tuck only lifts skin to the belly button,... more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck incision

You are fortunate to be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck. Not many woman may benefit from this procedure because it involves less work. In your case, with just skin removal below the belly button area, it should be simple for the surgeon to place and hide the incision underneath your favorite pair of bikini bottoms or undergarments. The most important part of your surgery is finding a board certified plastic surgeon to perform your surgery.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck incision placement

You sound like a perfect candidate for mini tummy tuck since your muscles are in good shape and all you have is some excess skin below the belly button. I am not sure that the scar can be limited just to the pubic area, you might need more skin removed than allowed by that short of an incision. But even if the scar is longer than that, it can still be placed low on the belly wall so that it will sit under a bikini bottom.
Elizabeth Lee, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini Tummy Tuck Scars

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive abdominoplasty procedure for infraumbilical laxity of the rectus muscle and skin. I perform the Santa Monica Tummy Tuck that places the incision within the pubic hair and minimizes the visibility of the scar in a small bikini bottom.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck incision can be placed beneath your bikini line

An experienced board certitified plastic surgeon with experience in the mini tummy tuck procedure will be able to place the incision below your bikini line. I ask my patients to bring their bikini or underwear on the day of surgery so that I may draw my planned incision below the top line of their preferred garment. The incision will not be confined to the pubic hair but will necessarily extend out on either side of the pubuc area-however these extensions can be kept withing the line of yor... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Low well-hidden scar.

The scar from a mini-abdominoplasty should hide in anything you wear including panties and bikini. It will extend to the sides further that the pubic area, however. The scar is tailored to the degree of skin redundancy. A larger degree of redundancy = longer scar.
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mini tummy tuck incision can be placed very low

The mini tummy tuck incision can be placed very low in the pubic area and I often ask my patients to bring in their skimpiest bikini at the time of surgery so that I can shape the incision within the garment outline.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Incisions

Holly It is always important to address all of the problems when deciding on the right tummy tuck operation. After pregnancy, many women complain of loose skin, stretch marks, excess fat and stretched-out muscles - most of these problems will not get better with diet and exercise. If most of your problems are confined to the lower abdomen, below the "belly button" the mini tummy tuck might be right for you. If your problems extent even a little above the belly button, then the... more
Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Short answer is yes

The short answer is yes. Mini abdominoplasty is a good procedure for a very limited percentage of patients. It seems that you fit that profile, skin excess only below the belly button, no muscle work needed. Only thing I have to add: if you really have a lot of skin a mini operation might not be enough to remove all the excess skin. The other point is related to the downward migration of the umbilicus with the skin excision. I have no doubt that your board certified plastic surgeon can help... more
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.drseify.com

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