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Tummy Tuck Through C-section Incision

I am 41 mom of four and would like to get rid of excess fat and stretch marks on my abdomen; can it be done through my C-section scar in bikini area to avoid the long vertical scar?

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25 Doctor Answers | Asked by Burn ICU RN in Chicago, IL

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Tummy Tuck frequently done through C-section scar beneath the Bikini Line

Yes the Tummy Tuck incision is frequently placed so as to remove the C-section Scar and hidden beneath the Bikini Line. The scar must be longer than the C-section scar to allow for the removal of adequate skin. This is the case for most mini Tummy Tuck or Bikini Tuck procedures. If however you have a great deal of skin laxity and require a Full Tummy Tuck you will have a longer scar and a scar around the umbilicus or belly button. In some major cases of Full Abdominoplasty... more

Location of a tummy tuck scar

A full tummy tuck scar is usually placed low, at the level of the c-section scar and extends outwards towards the hips. a mini-tummy tuck scar is much shorter and only extends within the pubic area.

Tummy Tuck Scar (Abdomioplasty)

An abdominoplasty scar is placed well below your c-section scar and extends further laterally. More than likely, from your history of four pregnancies, you would need a traditional abdominoplasty instead of a mini tummy tuck which has a shorter scar. From El Paso.

Tummy Tuck Incision Through C-Section Scar

An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck can effectively remove the excess fat and stretch marks from your lower abdomen. Your surgeon should be able to utilize your existing C-section scar but it may need to be lengthened to get the most dramatic improvement. Rarely is a vertical scar necessary unless a patient has undergone a massive weight loss.

Tummy Tuck through a C-section incision

A tummy tuck is a safe and effective procedure to contour the abdomen, create a tight waist, and remove extra skin, fat, and stretch marks. In our practice, we help a great deal of women receive body contouring by taking advantage of the C-section incision. In these patients, we typically place our abdominoplasty incision below the C-section incision and design the ends of the incision in a manner that will be hidden underneath the patient's bikini or underwear. For patients that... more

Abdominoplasty and C-section scar

If your C-section scar if in your bikini-line, then the tummy tuck could be done through the same incision (although, the old C-section scar is typically removed at the time of abdominoplasty). You should know that the length of an abdominoplasty incision is typically much longer than a C-section incision.

Can a tummy tuck be performed through a c-section scar?

The tummy tuck incision removes the c-section scar. The length of the incision depends on the skin laxity. Usually the scar is longer than a c-section scar. Vertical scars can usually be avoided.

Tummy tuck for scars and stretch marks following c-section

A tummy tuck scar often is placed at the level of a c-section (Pfannenstiel incision). Depending on the location and distribution of the stretch marks, some or all can be removed with either a mini or full tummy tuck. Only an examination will be able to provide you with an idea of the amount of skin to be removed and the placement of the scar.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and C-section scar

Thanks for the question. Tummy tucks are commonly performed along the same horizontal incision line as that of a c-section. The incision would classically be extended laterally in both directions. There is no vertical component to a traditional tummy tuck incision. A fleur-de-lis incision which is commonly performed in massive weight loss patients incorporates a vertical incision line. Best of luck, Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

Tummy tuck and c-section

The traditional tummy tuck incision is transverse and often coincides with the general location of a transverse c-section scar. A vertical incision is not common for most tummy tucks.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The more skin removed, the longer the incision has to be for any operation.

There is no way to get the full benefit of a tummy tuck through a scar the length of a C-section incision. If a tummy tuck is the best solution to a post-pregnancy abdominal problem, it is a requirement that an incision of some length is needed to remove the surplus skin.

Can a Full Tummy Tuck be done through a C-Section scar?

Regarding: "Tummy Tuck Through C-section Incision I am 41 mom of four and would like to get rid of excess fat and stretch marks on my abdomen; can it be done through my C-section scar in bikini area to avoid the long vertical scar" As I interpret your question, you may be asking can a Full Tummy Tuck be performed through a standard C-section scar while avoiding a vertical scar. The vertical scar Tummy Tuck sometimes referred to as a Fleur de Lis Tummy Tuck is not a... more

Tummy Tuck through C-section Scar

This is a common question and the answer is always NO. If you want to remove fat and skin, there is no way to do this except making an incision. The incision is at the same level or lower than the c-seciton incision but usually needs to extend from at least on hip bone to the other in order to remove the extra skin and fat. Tightening the skin is like pulling the sheets tight on your bed. If you only pull in the middle of the bed, then the sheets will be wrinkled... more

C-section scars and tummy tucks

By removing the c-section scar and lengthening it on bot sides, a tummy tuck can be performed and you can have a nice flat tummy. A vertical (up and down) scar is rare in a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Through C-section Incision

YES! but the length of the incision will be at least double the C-section incision scar. Hopefully not more. From MIAMI DR. Darryl J. Blinski

The C-section level is perfect for tummy tuck

The C-section level is perfect for tummy tuck allowing a low easily concealed scar. The length of the scar however is inadequate to tailor and trim the advanced loose skin. Even for a 'mini' tummy tuck the rule is that the typical C-section scar is lengthened by two thirds. There are some who have had a lower mid-line vertical C-section. In this care the vertical scar is completely removed with the tummy tuck and replaced with the low transverse scar, again one more easily concealed... more

Tummy tucks can remove C section scars

Without a photo its challenging to answer this question with precision- but in general - a tummy tuck scar is placed below the C section scar level, and the procedure removes the C section scar. Only patients with substantial amount of horizontal skin laxity need a 'long vertical scar' - this is typically seen in massive weight loss patients. The length of the TT scar will depend on how much laxity you have along the sides of your belly.

Tummy tuck through C-section scar

The answer is, probably. If your C-section scar is vertically oriented (kind of unusual), you should be able to trade that for a tummy tuck scar. That is, after surgery you vertical scar would be gone and you'd have a scar oriented horizontally near the top of your pubic hair but running from one hip bone to the other. If your C-section scar is the more normal kind (oriented horizontally), getting it out will depend on exactly where it is and how much... more

Tummy Tuck Scar Through C-Section Scar

It is possible to get rid of the scar that you currently have by an abdominoplasty. The Tummy Tuck scar though would need to be along the pubic line. If you are also wanting to get rid of excess skin and fat an extended tummy tuck would most likely solve both of these issues. I would advise you to consult in person with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Tummy Tuck Usually Can be Performed Through C-section Scar

Usually I am able to use an old C-section scar for an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck incision. The incision does typically need to be a bit longer than the C-section scar. You mention that you want rid yourself of excess fat as well as stretch marks. If you are significantly overweight, you will get better results with a loss of weight prior to surgery.

Tummy tucks and C-section scars

More often than not, the C-section scar is removed along with the excess skin and fat over your abdominal wall. In its place is a single scar: your tummy tuck scar. This scar is made as short as possible and placed as low as possible so that it can be covered by your jeans/underwear/bikini bottoms. In order to know what is the right procedure(s) for you, an in-person consult will be necessary. Good luck.

C-section scar be gone!

Depending on your anatomy, a tummy tuck scar will likely be placed lower than your C section scar. In most cases, the scar line from your csection scar and the underlying scar tissue is completely removed during your tummy tuck procedure. The horizontal length of your scar will again depend on your anatomy.

Tummy Tuck Scars: Lower than C-section scars

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty scars are usually placed very low and I try to place them well below c-section scars. This then removes the previous scar though replaces it with a longer tummy tuck scar, with length depending on amount of excess skin. A tummy tuck scar is almost always in the horizontal not vertical direction so it can be hidden in almost anything you wear. I hope this helps. Dr. Trussler

Tummy Tuck and C-Section Scar

Tummy tuck is great way to get rid of excess abdominal skin and fat especially after pregnancy. The scar after a tummy tuck depends on the amount of skin to be removed. I do my best to minimize the length of the scar without compromising the result. Most tummy tuck patient do not have vertical scar. The best way to determine the length of your scar will be to consult a board certified Plastic Surgeon in your area. As a nurse, if you do not want to see anyone in your hospital, some plastic... more

Tummy tuck through C-section scar

Great results with a tummy tuck are really dependent upon geometry and so while you might want to save the incision length, there is no guarantee that you can do so and still be able to remove enough skin to achieve an optimal result. I would recommend consulting with a local Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Ask him/her this question and proceed accordingly. I hope this helps! see video