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I'm Getting a Tummy Tuck March 26 Can my Whole Tattoo Be Removed and Should I Lose Weight? (photo)

asked 4 months ago by ZE30 in Torrance, CA
Latest answer by D'Arcy Honeycutt, MD
Question viewed 418 times
Tags: weight loss, recommendation, tattoo

I'm thirty years old with four kids. I'm schedule to get a mommy makeover March 26 and I'm scared!!! Can my tattoo be completely removed and do I need to lose weight?

14 answers to I'm Getting a Tummy Tuck March 26 Can my Whole Tattoo Be Removed and Should I Lose Weight? (photo)

+1

Weight loss before mommy makeover

The more weight you lose before surgery the better your results will be. Most of the skin and stretch marks from your pubic area to you belly button will be removed with a tummy tuck. Your surgeon will be able to better answer the question since you have already had a complete examination.
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

+1

Depends..

It depends how high the tattoo goes on the abdomen. If it is above the umbilicus it will probably end up in the lower pubic area. If it is lower on the abdomen it may be removed with the excess skin. You do not need to lose weight.
D'Arcy Honeycutt, MD

Bismarck Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoo removal during tummy tuck

Usually you can easily resect at least 1 inch above the umbilicus without any complications. However, your tattoo extends several inches above the umbilicus. Your final scar may end up a little higher than normal but the entire tattoo would be removed. I do not think weight loss will make any difference in this case. Best of Luck, Gary Horndeski, M.D.
Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoos and tummy tucks

It looks from your photos that you would probably benefit from a tummy tuck. The normal routine is to keep the scar low on your abdomen to make it less noticeable. Since your tattoo extends well above your belly button it’s unlikely that you would be able to remove all of it and still have nice scar placement. I would suggest that removal of the entire tattoo as possible to the top level of the belly button is probably reasonable and this will move the tattoo down... more
Mahlon Kerr, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck - Can my Whole Tattoo Be Removed and Should I Lose Weight?

From the photos it looks like you don't need to lose much weight in order to get a nice result, and that's what you should have with a TT which certainly seems like the appropriate procedure. As to whether or not the entire scar can be removed - it's possible, but that may not be the best choice. It CAN be removed if you have a scar that is higher than it would otherwise need to be, but I would advise you to keep the scar as low as you can. That will move... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Will my Abdominal Tattoo be Removed by my Tummy Tuck Surgery?

A Tummy Tuck will remove ALL extra, loose tummy skin and tighten the loose and separated abdominal wall muscles. When the scar in placed in the transverse groin / low abdominal crease, we can usually remove all the skin between it and just above the belly button. This may leave the upper margin of the tattoo behind BUT it will be hidden by your underwear. If you want to make sure all the tattoo is taken off the surgeon can raise the tummy tuck scar higher. This will make the scar less... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoo removal depends on scar position

Your surgeon can only answer this but it looks like the whole tattoo can be removed IF you can accept having a higher than normal scar.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can my entire tattoo be removed (photo)?

If you have conventional abdominoplasty, you will have "subtotal" tattoo removal. The central portion of the pigmentation above your belly button will be moved to the lower central abdomen, but will remain. There will be NO tattoo above your belly button. Your surgeon could potentially remove the upper central portion, but this would result in a lower abdominal midline scar ascending from the central portion of the traditional transverse lower abdominal scar in... more
Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

+1

Quite possible that your abdominal tattoo will be removed

It is quite likely that all or almost all of your abdominal tattoo will be removed by the tummy tuck operation, depending on your surgeon. You can state your preference and he/she will certainly try to accommodate your wishes. Good luck.
James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoo Removal with Tummy Tuck

You can almost certainly get rid of that part of the tattoo below the belly button and maybe the rest, but like others have advised, it is better to keep the scar low. Even if not all of the tattoo is removed, the skin will loosen a bet with time and maybe the rest could be taken out later. Your pictures would indicate you are at a good weight.
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Weight loss and tattoo before tummy tuck

Thank you for your question and the photos. I doubt all of your tattoo can be removed but much of it can. Also, it is recommended that you be at the weight the you want to be at the time of the tummy tuck so that more excess skin can be removed and more muscle tightening can be performed. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck, Tattoos and Anxiety?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Based on your pictures it does not seem like you have much weight to lose prior to surgery. Also, based on the size of the tattoo and a link of your torso, complete removal of the tattoo may not be possible unless the incision is made higher than usual. I would not personally recommend that you have the incision placed higher for the purpose of tattoo removal ( but this will ultimately be a decision made by you and your plastic surgeon)... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Vast majority of tattoo will be removed.

With a standard low tummy tuck incision, I think a some of the tattoo will be left. This will obviously be very low on the abdomen and much less prominent. If you accept a higher scar, it is possible to remove all of it. I do not think you need to lose weight - you are an excellent candidate. Good Luck!
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy Tuck and Tattoo

Dear ZE30, While it hard to tell from photos alone, it appears that you would be able to remove your entire tattoo with a tummy tuck though it may require your incision to be a bit higher than some other patients. Again, using your photos, it does not appear you need to lose more weight prior to your surgery but again, only an examination can truly determine this. While it is normal to be scared and nervous before your surgery, try to focus on the good things to come; a tight,... more
Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD

Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

www.stlcosmeticsurgery.com

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