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Is Tummy Tuck Possible for Tummy with Multiple Surgery Scars?

I am considering a Tummy Tuck. I have 2 vertical c-section scars that healed very well. However, there is excess skin on either side of the scars (my younger daughter used to say it looked like a fanny on my tummy, kids are great) and a skin flap that hangs down just above my pubic area.

The scars do not extend above my belly button. Additionally, there are 3 smaller scars from tubal ligation and gallbladder surgeries (laproscopic). I had my first child at 18, second at 20 and am now 43 and would love to have a somewhat normal abdomen. Is this too dangerous to consider, could one be done?

Asked 29 months ago by wendy714 in New York, USA
Sort 18 expert answers by:
+1

Tummy tuck with multiple scars

If you have enough excess skin, all of your lower abdominal scars should be removed and replaced with a low transverse scar on your stomach. None of the scars that you have described would preclude you from having a tummy tuck. Make sure that your surgeon is board certified and be sure to look closely at his/her before and after photographs. Especially look at the belly button scar. I have seen many otherwise good tummy tucks ruined by bad scars around the belly button. more
James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck would remove your scars

The scars of your lower abdomen would most likely be completely removed with full tummy tuck surgery and the laparscopic surgery scars of the upper abdomen would not present a problem. Smoking is a no no and must definitely be discontinued prior to surgery. Have operated on many patients with unsightly depressed noticeable vertical scars of the lower abdomen will complete removal.
Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

The scars below belly button is ok, no worries

Since the skin below the belly button is almost always removed, the scars below the belly button will not cause any danger to the result of tummy tuck.
Adil Ceydeli, MD
Panama City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars below the belly button not a problem for Tummy Tuck

The only way to erase stretch marks is to remove the skin that contains the stretch marks. This is done in a tummy tuck procedure where the skin below the belly button is removed along with any stretch marks in that skin. If the skin cannot be removed, then the best you can do with stretch marks is to fade them to close to your natural skin color. This can be done with lasers and light-based devices. Time will also fade the color of stretch marks. I don't know of any topical products that... more
Parham Ganchi, MD
Wayne Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck after C-section

Yes it should not be an issue.  Given laxity of skin above the belly button, you should have complete removal of the incisions up to your belly button. You need to see a board certified plastic surgeon to go over in detail what can and can not be achieved. Good luck.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck is possible for tummy with multiple vertical surgery scars

Absolutely! I have done several such "Butt tummies" and my patients were thrilled with their results. As long as the tummy scars are in the midline (not oblique under the right or left ribs), there will be no potential interruption of the blood flow through the tummy skin and there should be no foreseeable wound healing complications. Go for it. You will be glad you did. Good Luck.
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

By no means!

In fact, a tummy tuck will get rid of most scars and stretch marks below the umbilicus.  As long as you are healthy, don't smoke, you should be fine.  Enjoy. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tuck on!

Wendy, You sound like an excellent abdominoplasty candidate in my book. Often one of the goals of tummy tuck surgery to rid the abdomen of unsightly scars. You can expect a great result assuming that your other body characteristics lend themselves to a good abdominoplasty candidate, e.g. non-obesity. Good luck!
Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can a tummy tuck be done with multiple surgical scars already present?

A tummy tuck is definitely an excellent choice for your situation. A tummy tuck will remove the previous C-section scars and tubal ligation scars. It will not be able to remove the scars from the gall bladder surgery that are much higher on the abdomen. The result is that the contour will be substantially improved. The scars from the other procedures do not pose any complications. The only real concern is to see whether you have a hernia (a defect in the abdominal wall) and to fix that at... more
Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

No problem

The tummy tuck operation is designed to remove all of the skin from the belly button to the top of pubic hairline. Scar placement from previous operations are important because they mark where the blood supply to the skin has been compromised. All of your scars are contained in the area which will be removed. Your surgeon will also need to check your incision sites for the possibility of small hernias which may have developed as a result of the previous surgeries. Board certified surgeons... more
Robert W. Kessler, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scars and Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck with these scars should be no problem and you should get a great result. You masy still have a bit of a vertical scar at the lower end but your extra skin will be gone. Good luck.
John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sounds good to me

It sounds as if you have the perfect belly for a tummy tuck. I should be able to remove all of the vertical scarring and convert it to a horizontal scar that you can hide in your underwear. When you go for a consultation, look at photos - there should be some of people with scars like yours. Make sure you see a well qualified certified plastic surgeon and have all your questions answered.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Previous vertical scars and abdominopalsty

As long as you are a candidate for a full abdominoplasty where the skin above the belly button can be mobilized to meet a transverse scar somewhere above the pubis, then all those vertical scars will end up being excised and you will have converted the vertical scar to a more easily hidden pantyline scar. The laparoscopic scar shouldn't interfere either.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and abdominal scars

Hi, the scars you've described should not interfere with a tummy tuck. The main concern with scars is that they might compromise the blood supply to the skin that will be remaining after surgery. Since your scars are below the umbilicus, and this is the area that is removed, you should be fine. Good luck! /nsn
Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck with Previous Abdominal Scars

The scars that you have described should not interfere with a TT. The midline scars below your belly button will probably be removed during the TT. The laparoscopic scars are probably small enough that they have not caused a significant interference with blood supply. You should seek consultation with a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon.
John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

You sound like a good candidate for tummy tuck

Although you describe multiple surgical scars, the most significant one, the vertical incision from your C-sections, extends below the belly button. Most often, with a tummy tuck, the skin from the belly button to the pubic region gets excised and discarded. This unsightly scar will traded for a much more pleasing incision in the bikini line, that will not cause your skin to drape in an unsightly manner. The other incisions you mention, from your laparoscopic cholecystectomy and tubal... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck

Some of the most dramatic results with tummy tucks are with previous vertical c-section or hysterectomy scars. The vertical scar commonly will be depressed and fut bulging lateral to the scar. The vertical scar is traded for a horizontal scar that will hide in the bikini line. There is no safety concern with this type of scar and tummy tucks.
William Alan Dulin, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominoplasty with multiple scars.

Abdominoplasty is possible despite multiple scars. The scars that you describe do not seem to be an impediment. It is all about blood flow. That is why the old fashioned gall bladder incision precludes most from an abdominoplasty as the blood flow would be compromised. Often this operation allows folks to trade multiple scars for one, more aesthetically pleasing scar. Always best to go see the plastic surgeon. Together you will see what is possible or not. Every case is different. more
Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
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