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Is it Possible to Have a Horizontal Tummy Tuck Scar Placed Under C-Section Scar?

asked 1 year ago by Jamby in portland, or
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,216 times
Tags: female, c-section, horizontal, results, scar

I am wondering if I could possibly get a horizontal full tummy tuck scar below my current c-section scar without having to get a vertical scar. If the vertical scar has to be present, how long would it usually be? Also, I am usure if I need to get lipo on the sides and/or back to get a better results.

18 answers to Is it Possible to Have a Horizontal Tummy Tuck Scar Placed Under C-Section Scar?

Yes, 99% of the time a horizontal tummy tuck scar will remove the Caesarean Scar.

You will absolutely not have to have a vertical scar. Surgeons who do many tummy tuck just learn how to do the operation well, get out the entire belly button opening, avoid any vertical scar, and totlally remove the Carsarean Scar in the process. I have not had to do a vertical scar in years but occasionally (RARELY) it is necessary. Seek 3 opinions from ABPS-FACS surgeons and make them prove an interest in abdominoplasty. How many do they do in a year. Prove it... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

www.pacfps.com

Tummy Tuck Incision Placement

In most cases, the incision for the tummy tuck / abdominoplasty is placed under the c-section scar like you are wanting. In your pictures, you do not appear to have a lot of excess skin, which may make it difficult to put a very low incision. However, it is impossible to tell without seeing you in person. Good Luck with your surgery.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Tummy Tuck Incision below C-section?

Thank you for the question that picture. It is usually possible to place the tummy tuck incision at or below the previous C-section scar. Minimal amount of liposuctioning of your flanks may be helpful to improve results. I hope this helps. see video

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Excellent Candidate

Your photographs indicate fairly tight skin with out much excess to be pulled down and trimmed. It is unlikely that can avoid a vertical scar. Usually vertical scars are no longer that 1.5-2 inches. As for liposuction on your sides, you seem to have a slight amount of fullness which can be removed by Liposuction. Fortunately these two procedures can be down at the same time and will give you very good results. see video

Ivan Thomas, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scar

The lowest scars are often mini -tummy tuck scars. If your abdominal tissue is not that loose, you could end up with a higher scar (but without a vertical component). Your surgeon should discuss, and draw on you, the location of a mini-tummy tuck scar with extensive lipo of the abdomen vs. a full tummy tuck.

Pramit Malhotra, MD
Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon

It is common to place the tummy tuck scar at or below a C-section scar.

Looks like you are a great candidate for a standard abdominoplasty. This would involve a horizontal scar below your bathing suit line and hopefully below your C-section scar as well. This can only be sorted out with an examination and proper consultation. This will also allow for a discussion about the modest additional improvements possible with liposuction to your hips and flanks. In some instances, the horizontal scar can not be positioned below a very low positioned C-section scar but... more

Mathew C. Mosher, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

Tummy Tuck

From the photos you submitted, it appears like you can have the tummy tuck with a very low incision- under the C-section scar. You do not need to have a vertical type of scar. Liposuction can be done in the flanks or posterior lower back at the time of the abdominoplasty. Some plastic surgeons offer liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck.

Jay H. Ross, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

C-section scar and tummy tuck incision

In tummy tuck surgery, the incision is usually placed at a minimum slightly below the C-section scar which would then be removed with the surgery. If yours is situated at the hairline, this would be a reasonable approach as you would want the scar here to be covered by most "standard" underwear. Whether or not the old site of your belly button can be removed can't be fully determined by your photos alone. However, if it does remain, it usually is situated in the lower part... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Tummy tuck scar below the C-section scar

We try to place all transverse tummy tuck scars at or below the C-section scar. We like nothing less than the tummy tuck scar peaking above the underpant or bathing suit line. It is correct that in order to keep the scar so low often the shift in the belly button will leave a short vertical scar where it was originally located if enough skin laxity is not present to bring the tummy tuck all the way down to the C-section level. Based on your photos, the mini tummy tuck with muscle repair... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Location Of Tummy Tuck Scar May Or May Not Be At Same Level As C-Section Scar

The basis of your question is that you would like a tummy tuck scar, if you had one, to be below your existing c-section scar. Depending upon what type of tummy tuck you may be considering, the final scar may or may not end up below where your c-section scar is now. This would be very likely with a mini-tummy tuck but unlikely with a full tummy tuck. Even though the design of the tummy tuck would place the lower incision below your c-section scar, skin flap closure always involves more... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck Scar Placement

I would suggest placing your tummy tuck scar at the level of your previous C-section scar rather than below it. This is the usual placement. I cannot tell for certain without an examination, but you appear from your photos to have sufficient excess skin that there would not be a need for a vertical scar.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty scar usually same level as C-section scar

Ideally the tummy tuck scar is low enough to be concealed by a bikini bottom. I don't see the scar in the phot so it appears to be low already, so going to the same location would be the goal. All of this presumes that the skin of the upper abdomen can stretch enough to keep the scar low.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Scar below c-section scar

I usually make my incision below an existing c-section scar, unless the c-section scar is extremely low. The tummy tuck scar needs to be 6-8 cm above the top of the vagina. I cannot tell from your picture where your scar is. I hope that is helpful, good luck.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Low Abdominoplasty Scar

Typically the c-section scar is removed with the excess skin at the time of the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). While your scar is not visible in the pictures provided, let's assume it is at the top of your pubic hair. In that case, the distance between the location of your belly button (umbilicus) and the scar will determine if you need a short vertical scar to close the old umbilical site which could not be removed along with the rest of the excess skin. A lot of it depends on the... more

Douglas L. Forman, MD
Bethesda Plastic Surgeon

Location of tummy tuck scar

Most plastic surgeons try to make the scar at the c-section or below the c-section scar. On your photo, I cannot see your c-section scar. If you have to have a vertical component to the scar, it will be fairly short. In most cases, I do liposuction to the waist and flanks at the time of tummy tuck. Liposuction will give you a better waist line.

Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Horizontal tummy tuck scar

In your photos, your C-section scar is not visible, however, it is customary to excise the pre-existing C-section scar and to replace it with a low horizontal scar that should be hidden by your underwear. About 85% of my patients receive liposuction along with a tummy tuck. However, you appear to be quite thin. If, indeed you do have liposuction, it will improve the flanks. Abdominoplasty alone does not improve the flanks. Good luck! more

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scar by c-section scar

I always try to remove the c-section scar and place the tummy tuck scar as low as possible to keep it low and hidden in the underwear. This usually can be acccomplished.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Questions

A tummy tuck scar can often be designed so as to include the C-section scar, that is the C-section scar would be removed with your tummy tuck and you will be left with a new tummy tuck scar. In some cases, depending on how much excess skin there is, you may also have a small vertical scar. This scar is usually low on the abdomen and may be concealed with a bathing suit bottom. Some limited liposuction of the "love handle" areas may be of benefit in your case. more