How Much of my Stretch Marks Will Be Removed with a Tummy Tuck? (photo)

A tummy tuck can certainly remove stretch marks but it can only target those that are located below the belly button. It may minimize the appearance of others, like those on your hips, although they won't be completely removed unfortunately. You may want to consider a nonsurgical treatment instead for those on your hips. Microneedling and laser-based treatments have helped our patients. Results may take longer and can be unpredictable. Best of luck.

Thank you for your questions and for the photographs.  Your photographs reveal stretch marks that go relatively high up on the hips.  A full tummy tuck does well removing tissue from the belly button and below, but removes less  tissue as it extends out toward the hips.  In consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon the physician can perform a pinch test to give you an idea of how much skin can be removed.
In my own practice in the mid portion of the abdomen I can usually remove skin from the pubic area to the bellybutton.  Depending on the skin laxity sometimes we can remove even more. Based on your photographs it would be difficult to remove all of the stretch marks from your hips, but you might see some degree of improvement.
 
Best wishes as you explore your options.

Thank you for the photos that accompany your post.  Your positioning, with the arms up over your head, distorts how much loose/extra skin you might have, so it is a little uncertain as to how much skin will need to be removed.  In general, only the stretch marks that are actually cut out go away.  I know that sounds obvious, but it is not always clear to patients.  The central part of the abdomen, possibly all of the skin between the bellybutton and the pubic hair region is where most of the skin will be removed.  Therefore, the largest reduction in stretch marks will be in that region.  Unfortunately, the stretch marks are fairly extensive out at the lateral abdomen and hips.  Unless your skin is super loose, the majority of those will probably remain.  As usual, and in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would be your best option with regard to trying to figure that out.  By the way, it looks like you might have a small bellybutton hernia, but that can be fixed at the time of abdominoplasty.  Best of luck to you.

Hello. Stretch marks that are below your BB will disappear with TT . Unfortunately, the ones that are on your hips may not be removed because the resection of the skin does not get to that point .

the good news is that most of the stretch marks are below the belly-button. That means that most of them can be removed with full tummy-tuck.

 

best wishes,

 

Michael

Some stretch marks can be eliminated with procedures that involve skin removal like a tummy tuck. Many of the stretch marks below the belly button can be eliminated through tummy tuck surgery, but this will not eliminate stretch marks on your hips or on any skin left behind. If you have excess hanging skin on your hips or thighs, some of the stretch marks on your thighs can be eliminated through additional procedures like a thigh lift surgery. If the stretch marks are red or pink in color, there are laser treatments that may be able to make stretch marks less visible by reducing the pigmentation.

When it comes to Stretch Marks of the abdomen, or anywhere on the body, there have been many, many treatments that have been tried.  Creams, lasers, magic potions, radiofrequency, etc..... none of which have had any significant effect.  Fortunately, when the stretch marks are on the lower abdomen, they can often be removed with the extra skin during a tummy tuck.  The stretch marks of your lateral waistline might be able to be removed if the tummy tuck scar is extended further around your waistline, possible all of the way around in the form of a lower body lift.  This of course is only possible if you have sufficient skin laxity in this area to allow for this skin removal.

Hello,

In general stretch marks below the belly button are included in the area that is removed during a full tummy tuck.  Stretch marks on the hips, depending on where they are, may not fall within the tummy tuck resection.  Have your plastic surgeon mark out the area to be removed during your tummy tuck should you choose to undergo the procedure.  This will be the best way to know which stretch marks will be removed.

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta

The stretch marks that will be removed is what lies within the outline of the tummy tuck excisional pattern. Your surgeon can mark that out for you so you can see exactly what stretch marks will be removed. Stretch marks around the excisional pattern, particularly above the belly button, will shift position to a lower location below the new belly button for many of them.

Tummy tuck will remove most of the stretch marks below the umbilicus so, if your are on your hips and under the belly button, abdominoplasty will significantly alleviate your concerns.  It will not benefit stretch marks above the umbilicus to the same extent. See a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation.  GIven your weight, you are an excellent surgical candidate.