Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Is the Incision for a Tummy Tuck Higher if There is Less Lose Skin Above the Belly Button?

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loose skin incision

10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mommy in New Mexico

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Tummy tuck incision should be low

Ideally, the placement of the tummy tuck incision should be low in order to hide it with underwear or bikini. If you have decreased amount of excess skin above the belly button, or if you are having a secondary abdominoplasty, the creation of a low abdominoplasty scar may require a small vertical scar where your belly button used to be. This is often preferred over a high ridding abdominoplasty scar. Your surgeon should be able to determine if this will be necessary prior to surgery. more

Tummy tuck questions

The height of the scar depends on the pre operative planning. If you do not have a lot of skin, the surgeon may mark you a bit higher to avoid the possibility of a small vertical scar. An experienced surgeon should be able to tell you whether or not that is the case in your situation.

Positioning of a Tummy Tuck Incision

Much has to do with the dimension of your central torso. It is my custom and practice to make the tummy tuck incision as low as possible. It should also be sown in many layers and the patient must understand that strict adherence to a “jack-knife” position in bed is mandatory to produce the finest possible incision line.

Location of tummy tuck scar

There are many factors that enter into where the scar will be including whether you have previous scars, so the best person to discuss with you where your scar would be is your board certified plastic surgeon. In general, though, I find that the amount of excess skin above the belly button does not affect the location of the scar much. Good luck to you.

Tummy tuck scar location

Without enough loose skin above the BB, the horizontal scar from a TT will be higher unless you have a vertical one. The verticals are not my preference as they stick up from most 2 piece bathing suits. Before accepting one make sure to see lots of photos. For my patients, the horizontal without the vertical is the way to go.

Higher Incision of Tummy Tuck if Less Loose Skin

The incision can be made higher, or the incision can be made at the lower level with a midline vertical scar. There are some other tricks in dissection technique, which can obviate the vertical scar. Find the plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each year. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Tummy Tuck Incision Placement

The skin incision isn't really determined by the skin laxity above the navel usually. Unless there is a unique situation, or special desire of the patient, the incision is placed where it can be best hidden below undergarments. Of course, the incision placement is also determined by physical considerations of the patients too. sek

Tummy Tuck Scar Location

The TT scar should always be as low as possible in order to conceal it beneath swim wear or panties. If the upper skin is not loose enough to allow movement of the bellybutton hole to a low enough point to remove the hole, then the hole is closed as a small vertical scar. This is visually much more acceptable than a high scar across the entire abdomen.

Tummy tuck incision does not have to be higher

If there is less loose skin above the belly button, some surgeons chose to place the incision higher. I prefer to keep the incision low and accept a small vertical scar from the old belly button hole. The short vertical scar may be visible in a two piece bathing suit, but it is far less visible than a tummy tuck scar that is too high.