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Is "Drawstring" Tummy Tuck Incision Procedure Feasible?

asked 3 years ago by shariaz in Tempe, AZ
Latest answer by Carmen Kavali, MD
Question viewed 1,052 times
Tags: incision

I know that some surgeries (kidney transplant, breast augmentation) have been performed with incisions through the belly button. Have Tummy Tuck procedures ever been tried by cutting excess skin around the belly button, and then tightening skin (drawstring fashion)? Is this even feasible, to hide scarring in belly button area?

16 answers to Is "Drawstring" Tummy Tuck Incision Procedure Feasible?

Not as bad an idea as others suggest.

We now perform great breast lifts by removing excess skin in a purse-string fashion around the areola. Unfortunately, the key to this procedure is the reshaping of the underlying breast tissue. There is no equivalence with the tummy tuck. Yet, a small amount of skin that hangs over the top of the belly button can be easily removed in an aesthetic and pleasing manner.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Great idea, but it wont work.

It has been tried and nearly all of them had to be converted to the traditional Tummy Tuck. I have not performed this surgery. I too concerned about the quality result rather than the extent of the scar. Ultimately, the scar length should relate to the amount of skin removal and tightening. So you would not be removing very much skin. Keep thinking! Michael J. Brown, MD

Michael J. Brown, MD
Leesburg Plastic Surgeon

A "drawstring" Tummy Tuck would look awful

Shariaz, This is a creative idea, but would lead to a terrible result. While some surgeries can be performed through the belly button, these operations just use the belly button as an access site. They make a small incision within or around the belly button to perform the surgery and then close the incision when they are done. They are not resecting any skin during their procedures. Now, it is correct that you can perform an endoscopic plication of your rectus fascia (your six pack)... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Will not work in almost all circumstances

The key to a good tummy tuck is not just to cut out extra skin, but to also address the underlying abdominal musculature and contour. This cannot be done with only an incision around the belly button in most cases. I would discourage this option in almost all cases.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Not a good idea

This is a very common question. Unfortunately, tightening up skin around the umbilicus doesn't work too well. It often distorts the umbilicus. It also is very difficult to tighten the muscles from this approach. Furthermore, the skin further away from the umbilicus both above and below, will not be treated successfully.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

"Drawstring" tummy tuck?

This would be a great thing, if it would actually work. Unfortunately, using a pursestring-type tension on the abdomen would not pull the skin in the desired directions.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Drawstring tummy tuck procedure

Yes, in rare occasions this has been done but it rarely causes a satisfactory result and more commonly leaves persistently lax skin and a pleated appearance. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

"Drawstring" tummy tuck doesn't work and will look very bad.

Simple rule of biogeometrics (I just made up that word): The more skin that has to be removed, the longer the incision has to be. Most abdominplasties remove large amounts of skin so long incisions are unavoidable. If a surgeon tries to cheat, that patient will end up with unsightly irregularties that can be fixed only by extending the incision. By the way,this "law" applies to all operations.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

A drawstring tummy tuck is doomed to failure

Any attempt to excise redundant abdominal skin in a circular pattern around the navel and then gathering the resultant defect by "drawstring "around the navel is doomed to failure. In the first place, technically this is virtually impossible to do. But if it could be done, the end result would be a grossly distorted navel with a myriad of skin pleats radiating in a sunburst like fashion out from the navel. A traditional tummy tuck incision is still the best way to go. more

David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Drawstring" Tummy Tuck incision

As you can read from the expert posters here on this forum your issue and possible resultant question are NOT a good idea. I like the thought but the result will NEVER be acceptable. Best of luck from Miami, Dr. B

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Drawstring Incision closures ALWAYS lead to puckering - BAD idea for a Tummy Tuck

Most simple solutions to complex problems are seductive and usually Oh, So Wrong! So, let me lay some "Hope and Change" on you. The bigger the discrepancy between the final inner circle and the original defect / circle, the more pleating and rippling will be associated with the closure. This is commonly seen with the purse string Round Block Benelli breast Lift repair when used for more than minimal lifts. The result is a permanent sun burst, pleated scar often... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Belly button incisions

When performing a tummy tuck, it is essential to work closely with the patient for the position and size of the scar. In our practice, patients bring their favorite bikini to the surgery center to help us determine where the best place another scar is. Here in Miami, patients appreciate a very low scar on their lower abdomen so that they can wear very low-cut jeans and Brazilian bikinis. We perform multiple techniques to make sure that the scar stays in this position and does not widen.... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Full tummy tuck is best for most women.

Hi. Lot's of people have had your idea. It is clever but unfortunately it doesn't work. After tummy tuck, most women are thrilled with their new shape inspite of the long scar.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I Wouldn't Advise It.

Hello, While it seems like a good idea, the skin would not play well when drawn in like that. It would tend to look very un-natural and "pulled." Best Regards, John Di Saia MD Board-certified Plastic Surgeon

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Don't bother!

I give you a lot of credit because it is a very interesting idea. As others have mentioned, removing the skin is not the only component of a tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty). A good abdominoplasty will reshape the fascia (layer above the abdominal muscles), reshape the abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and fat and restore a youthful, flatter abdomen. This cannot be done from the belly button alone. Tummy tuck incisions DO heal very well in the vast majority of patients and can be easily... more