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Tummy Tuck Scar Placement?

asked 5 months ago by MissNicolae in Manistee, MI
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 275 times
Tags: bikini line, length, placement

I've read that people who have more extra skin will have lower and shorter scars...is how low/long the scar will be based completely on how much extra skin you have or this something that can be controlled? I'm worried about scar that wraps all around my back and up to my bellybutton. I know a consultation will give me those answers, but I'm curious and don't want to get a consultation done until I lose the rest of my weight.

19 answers to Tummy Tuck Scar Placement?

Incision location can be controlled, incision length is often dependent on how much tissue is removed.

Hello, The location and quality of the final incision is by far more important in my humble opinion than the length of the incision. A thin incision that is symmetric and is located low within the bikini line will be tolerated and appreciated by everyone regardless of incision length. The quality and location of the incision is largely dependent on how the tummy tuck is designed and executed. The length of the incision is largely dependent on the amount of... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Placement of Tummy Tuck Scar

Actually, the more skin that is removed, the longer the scar. If you have a major weight loss (over 50 lbs) then the scarl will likely go pretty far in back. For patients with even greater weight loss it may go all the way around as part of a lower body lift. It is wise to loose your weight before having a tummy tuck. You will have a lower risk of complications and get better results.

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scars

When we do a tummy tuck, the more skin we need to remove the longer we need the scar. In most patients, if you draw a line down from the middle of the arm pit, that is approximately the end of the scar on that side. However, for patients with major weight loss and loose skin of the back the scar will aften go completely around the trunk. Although I have seen patients come into the office with high scars, most of us will keep the scar well down below the pubic hair line so it can be covered... more

Ronald V. DeMars, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

Keep tummy tuck scars low and out of sight

Patients with more skin actually need longer scars, but in all cases I believe it is best to keep the scar low so it can be more easily concealed. The use of Progressive Tension Sutures helps to pull the skin down enough for a low scar.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Placement Of Tummy Tuck Scar

I, and most plastic surgeons, place the incision for a tummy tuck in the fold above the pubic area (incorporating an old C-section scar, if present). The incision gently curves to the anterior area of the hip where the bone can be felt. If there is a great deal of excess skin, the incision (and scar) will likely be a bit longer rather than shorter.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck scar

Thank you for your question. Usually, the more excess skin you have, the longer the scar. You will have to see a plastic surgeon in your area to give you an estimate of how long yours may be. Either way, the scar can be kept low to help conceal it. I hope this helps.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scar Placement and Length

Tummy Tuck scars are always placed low centrally. The lateral extent depends on teh type of swimwear and underwear that you prefer. It can be placed to hide under a low cut Bikini or under clothes with higher lateral leg openings. The length will depend on your anatomy and whether a bulge will appear under a short scar or not. Only an examination and consultation will determine this.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Where would my post op tummy tuck scars be situated?

Usually the routine procedure leaves post op scarring in the immediate supra pubic area beneath the panty line[ unless it is a male patient]. There also may be a scar around the umbilicus [bellybutton]

James B. Kahl, MD
Cincinnati Plastic Surgeon

Scar position and length

Hello, Technique for tummy tuck surgery varies, Scar length tends to increase for patients with more excess skin though. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD see video

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scars

I don't want to frighten you, but most lifts leave you with unsightly scars. There are many things surgeons do to improve a scar's appearance. Today, we suture almost every incision under the skin, leaving no stitch marks or "railroad tracks." Working with the patient, a surgeon can also best determine the positioning of most scars. Typical candidates for a tummy tuck are women with drooping abdomens after pregnancy, women and men who've lost a great deal of... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Location and length of tummy tuck scar

The length of tummy tuck scar depends on the amount of excess skin you have. The location of scar is based on where your excess tissue is and where your belly button is located in relation to your abdomen. It is important to visit with a plastic surgeon to see where your scar would be and how long. It is good that you want to lose the rest of weight before surgery; however, it doesn't hurt to see a plastic surgeon at this time and talk about your expectation and goal. more

Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Questions about tummy tuck scars

With more laxity and excess of skin, the incision will typically be longer, not shorter. The length is influenced by a few other factors as well. The incision should be placed low enough so that it won't be visible with most types of low riding/cut clothes. This is something that you would need to discuss with your plastic surgeon in consultation. So go lose your weight and see one or more reputable board certified plastic surgeons.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Length and position of the tummy tuck scar varies

People with more extra skin will have a longer scar. Whether it's lower or higher depends on the surgeon's technique and desired goals. I usually tell my patients that the scar will extend from side to side, in correlation to their existing skin folds. If the skin folds go further to the sides, then my scars will go that far to the side as well. The position of the scar is determined by where the skin laxity is. We try to keep the scar as low as possible... more

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Tummy tuck scar position and length

Position of the tummy tuck scar is critical. It should be at the pubic hairline concealed in an undergarment or bathing suit of your choosing. The incision is as long as it needs to be to get all the excess skin out. If there is a large amount of skin to be removed the incision must extend further to allow the skin to lie down smoothly. When there is signficant skin excess a circumferential procedure may need to be done to correct this. Weight loss prior to body contouring surgery... more

Robert W. Kessler, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.drrobkessler.com

Tummy tuck scar placement

I place the abdominoplasty scar in the fold above the pubis. The length of the scar varies depending on the extent of the surgery. The placement of the ends of the scar can be tailored to the patient's needs (ie, so that it will not be evident in hi-cut panties or a bathing suit). The scar will not wrap around your back or extend up to the umbilicus so you can lay those worries to rest.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty Incision Placement and Length Vary

Tummy tuck scars (incisions) can be placed in varying locations depending upon ones physical characteristics. For example someone with only a little extra skin below the belly button whom has not had children may need or want just a shorter incision ( a mini abdominoplasty). Someone whom has experienced a large weight – loss, had children or both, often has loose skin above the belly button and usually a better result can be obtained with a tummy tuck incision from... more

Charles Perry, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scar Placement

The length and location of the Tummy Tuck scar is determined by the amount and width of abdominal skin and presence of other abdominal scars. In the women with minimal skin, a slightly longer than a C-section scar is often used while as the amount of skin increases the tummy tuck scar length will necessarily have to increase to avoid leaving tissue prominences along the edges(aka"dog ears"). In the very large weight loff stints, those whose tummies were round and ball-like in their... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Scars

Thank you for your question. Yes, most patients with more skin can have low scars. I think you are doing the best thing by losing weight prior to going in for the consultation because that is the best way to get the most precise advice. Check the credentials of the surgeon you choose and make sure that they have experience in this type of surgery. Sometimes it is also helpful to talk to other patients who have undergone a similar procedure to get their point of view... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

How long is the tummy tuck scar

You are right. The more skin which needs to be removed the lower the scar can be. The looser the skin around your side the longer the scar can be as long as you allow it. The more skin that is able to be removed, and the tighter or more shapely you want the results, the longer the scar needs to be. There's no such thing as a "no-cut" tummy tuck.