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Reverse Abdominoplasty Vs. Modified Tummy Tuck for Lesser Scars?

asked 2 years ago by millyane in washington, dc
Latest answer by Armando Soto, MD
Question viewed 4,214 times
Tags: abdomen, scar

I am trying to minimize scarring the best way I know how. I have researched this for over three years now. I would like to get a surgeon that specializes in minimal scarring and combine it with the fraxel/pixel laser. I dont have that much access skin. Main concerns are my belly button and if the scar will be low enough for my bikinis. I also had a belly button ring that left me with a little indentation and a gall bladder surgery scar. Can this all be fixed?

14 answers to Reverse Abdominoplasty Vs. Modified Tummy Tuck for Lesser Scars?

Don't over-think and Micro-manage your plastic surgery

Hi there- I completely agree with Dr. Rand... Nothing good will come of you choosing a procedure you think you want and then trying to find a surgeon willing to do it on you.... Some of the very worst outcomes I see in my Orlando Plastic Surgery and Skin Care Center are in women who did just that... (and they're obviously in MY office because they now want it corrected- at further expense). Please don't make this mistake. Your best bet is to find an skilled and experienced plastic surgeon (we ar more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Standard tummy tuck most often the best option

Although I am a fan of the reverse abdominoplasty in select circumstances, you will definitely be disappointed based on what I see in the picture. What I see is quite a lot of excess skin in the lower part of the abdomen, which is the area treated best with the standard tummy tuck. I use a method called the Progressive Tension Suture technique, which helps keep the scar very low. An experienced plastic surgeon should be able to make a very nice belly button.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Regular tummy tuck will be best

You have already heard this from well-known and experienced plastic surgeons. I can only say that if we had a way to get great results with techniques that caused less scarring, we would all be doing it. The hype concerning the non-surgical and "mini" procedures is just that. I would encourage you to look for photos of patients who look like you, and who have results you like. You will undoubetdly find that they have had standard tummy tucks.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

Reverse tummy tuck very seldom best operation.

Hi. I am afraid that the only approach that will help you is a full tummy tuck, with a long but low scar above your groins. Anything else will be a waste of time and money. I know this is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You need a full tummy tuck

Dont waste your time and money on lasers & fraxels etc -- you need a full tummy tuck and you will look great. Nothing else will work for you.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Reverse abdominoplasty vs. modified tummy tuck for lesser scars.

Add my vote to the list of a FULL tummy tuck. You should listen to us posters so you do not get into any issues. As doing the wrong operation. From MIAMI

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck candidate

Hi Millyane, My practice offers Fraxel and Thermage, and I hate making unnecessary scars... That being said, you need a full tummy tuck. Your photos demonstrate significant strech marks, the sign of irreverisble skin injury, as well as muscle laxity (looseness) and a mis-shapen belly button. Only a tummy tuck can fix all of these issues. If your concern is that the surgeon will not place the incision low enough, stress this issue with your plastic surgeon. Make him or her realize how important more

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Go with a regular tummy tuck

Add my name to the above doctors. A mini tummy tuck with laser with give you a scar, abnormal belly button and probably some discoloration from the laser. You have stretch marks extending all the way above the belly button and an abormal shape to the belly button. The only way I see to correct this is with a regular abdominoplasty or a lipoabdominoplasty depending upon your findings on examination. I would not recommend the reverse abdominoplasty from the results I have seen with... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Full Abdominoplasty

I perform minimally invasive surgery all the time. Based on your pictures you would benefit from a full abdominoplasty. I would suggest going to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for the best results. Good Luck.

Andrew T. Cohen, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scarring

You need a full classic tummy tuck to remove and translocate your stretch marks as well as to repair your muscle diastasis. Although you do show a tendency to form hypertrophic scars, the abdominoplasty incision usually is less likely to form a thickened scar and it can be placed within your bikini line.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Scarring after surgery

Based on your pictures, you would benefit greatly from a full abdominoplasty. You do have excess skin and stretch marks that would be improved with the procedure. There is nothing to do about your gallbladder scars. They will be lower on your abdomen after the abdominoplasty. A reverse abdominoplasty would leave horrific scars on you and I recommend against this. Fraxel or Laser treatment would have minimal or any effect on your abdominal skin. I hope this is helpful. Good luck with... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Tummy Tuck

I completely agree with my colleagues. From your question, it is clear that you think that 1. a MINI tummy tuck would produce the same result as a full Tummy Tuck (but with shorter scars) - it never does2. that a laser can erase stretch marks that extend way above your belly button - They never will. If you are done having children and want1. to regain a flat tummy / narrow waist and lift a sagging Mons pubis2. Remove the maximal amount of skin cracks (IE Stretch marks)3. get a more... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Minimally invasive tummy tuck

I would agree with Dr. Rand. Based on my experience, I predict you will be unhappy with a minimally invasive tummy tuck and a fraxel/ pixel laser. If you get a great result your should print the pictures here.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck candidate

You are over thinking this issue. Each person's body will allow some things to be accomplished and some not to be accomplished - no matter how hard and long you think about it and how much research you do. You need a regular tummy tuck based on your photo. Done by an excellent plastic surgeon, the result will be a dramatic improvement. You might need some new bikinis but the abdomen will look so much better that this should be no problem.