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Why Are Tummy Tuck Incisions So High?

asked 2 years ago by Star24 in Texas
Latest answer by Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Question viewed 1,816 times
Tags: abs, incision, scar

I've been to 3 consultations and have looked at numerous pictures on the internet from all over and it seems as though the Tummy Tuck incision is very high.

It doesn't look like the scar will be concealed with a bathing suit bottom let alone underwear or when I'm wearing jeans. Especially where the incision curves up, is where it looks like it will be hard to hide unless you wear your bikini or panties high up like how they did in the 90s.

Why can't the incision be almost straight with little curvature and have it as low as where the pubic area starts?

16 answers to Why Are Tummy Tuck Incisions So High?

Tummy tuck incisions, high vs. low

It is possible to make lower incisions with full tummy tucks, but then the patient usually gets a vertical scar, typically just above the main incision itself. The scar itself can be placed in any of many patterns, depending on the patient's wishes. The reason for this is that when a full tummy tuck is done, lots of skin and fat are removed, from above the belly button (this enables tightening of the upper abdominal skin) as far down as the surgeon can go. There comes a point where you... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Incisions tend to follow popular clothing styles which run high and low

Incisions often follow the popular styles of the time. Although you criticize the look of the 90's. That was the result of the "french cut" bikini styles of the 80's. Prior to that, very low incisions were used In the 60's because of the "hip huggers" (similar to today's low rise jeans. Incssions were so low they actually ran onto the thighs.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck incision can be placed high or low

It seems that everyone is in agreement, the scar can be placed high or low. Most patients today request the scar to be low, and that is where I place it in most cases. Some surgeons use different techniques and have different routines that they follow. Discuss this with the surgeon you choose. If you are not happy with what you see and hear before surgery, you will not be happy after either. So, keep looking.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Tummy Tuck Incisions Can Be High or Low

The incision for a Tummy tuck can be placed low or high, depending upon the patient's goals and her physique. I always incorporate C-section scars, appendectomy scars, etc., into the tummy tuck. I try to keep the scar at least 7 centimeters above the fourchette (i.e., clitorus) to avoid distortion of the pubic mound. Usually, the incision is best angled towards the anterior superior iliac spines, but can run slightly lower. The lateral (outer) portions of the incision must be above the... more

Michael C. Pickart, MD
Ventura Plastic Surgeon

Incisions for Tummy Tuck

There are several reasons why Tummy Tuck incisions end up high. First, the central point of the incision must be no more than 7-9cm above the commisure or top point of the vulva. The problem can occur if the pubic tissue isn't elevated as it would end up when the preopertive markings are made. Next, if there isn't enough tissue to be taken out then the hole that did house the belly button will not be taken out when the top incision is made leaving a vertical incision some place between... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Placement of tummy tuck incisions

If you have a generous amount of extra skin above the umbilicus, you can have a very low TT scar. If you don't have so much excess then the incision will be higher. I try as much as possible to avoid a vertical scar coming up from the sideways scar because vertical scars (from where the belly button was) look conspicuous. I feel it is better to have a slightly higher scar with no vertical componenet.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty Incisions

Before I perform an abdominoplasty, I mark the top line of the patient's undergarment or swimsuit to try and approximate the incision with the clothes they normally wear. The incision location is also dictated by the patients body and underlying muscles and bone structure. There is usually a cure to the incision to match the natural curvature of the body. I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your procedure

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Tummy tuck incisions

Your question is an excellent one-- I think you can get a very nice result with a low incision, and the key is to ask your surgeon in advance where he is planning on placing your incision. I usually ask patients how they normally wear their bathing suit or underwear, so that I can plan to place the incision in a way that it can be hidden. I think the trend is to place the incision lower and flatter, and you just need to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page. Look at... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Placement of tummy tuck incision

There are many different types of tummy tuck incisions, depending on patient anatomy and desires, but the incision you speak of is the one most plastic surgeons generally use. It is an extension of the bikini (Pfanensteil) incisions that obstetricians use in C sections. Unless you wear a string bikini or a brief thong it will be covered.

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Picking the location of your Tummy Tuck scar - You CAN have it your way!

The location and shape of the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) scar in my opinion should be TOTALLY up to you. But - you need to understand what your choice would mean. If your read between the lines (no pun intended...), there are several preferences for Tummy Tuck scars among Plastic surgeons. The Geometrical approach - pick the belly button as the apex of a triangle - and base the height of the side scars on the length of an imaginary triangle with equal limbs - resulting in higher arching scars more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

A low Tummy Tuck scar is preferred by most patients

Some incisions are high, and the reason for this is the way the surgery was planned. Patients with pubic or groin skin laxity may have a bikini-line incision marked, but that incision will later "drift" upwards as the lower, lax tissues stretch. I strive to keep my incisions low. I think patients desire this, especially with the low-rise fashions today. If the site of the old belly button will not reach down to the incision, a small vertical scar will result. I give patients a... more

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

I don't understand why it can't

There are any number of variations on scar placement. When I do the tt, I have the patient wear panties or a bathing suit so that I can hide the scar. Some considerations however include shape of the pelvis, position of the umbilicus, and amount of panniculus to be removed, as well as your body configuration. Check out some of my photos and you will see all body types can have a nice outcome. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Low Scar Tummy Tucks

Dear Star, Please look at the first patient in my video. A tummy tuck scar can be designed in a low position for any tummy tuck, but there are trade offs that you have to accept. If you imagine drawing lines from your belly button to your hip bone, and one from there to the pubic region, you create two limbs of a triangle. If the lateral point is midway between the belly button and the mons, then the limbs have equal length and will match up nicely. If you lower the lateral point, then... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck incisions

The level of the tummy tuck incision is determined by a number of factors, predominantly the amount of excess skin above the belly button. If the amount or elasticity of skin above the belly button is not sufficient to stretch to the level of the pubis, then the incision needs to be higher. If the skin can stretch safely to the level of the pubis, then your surgeon can place the incison at this level. Each tummy tuck should be tailored to your individual anatomy and specific goals. more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck incisions can be low

Go to a doctor who does low tummy tuck incisions. Some are way too high. I like them low so they can be hidden in the underpants or two piece bathing suit.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty scar too high

The tummy tuck scar can be put at any location but there are compromises based on where the scar is, the amout of skin that needs to be removed, other scars and where the patient wants the scar. Your plastic surgeon should be able to tell you why the scar should go in a certain location and what would happen if the scar is moved higher or lower.