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Is It Possible for a Tummy Tuck Scar Below C Section Scar?

asked 1 year ago by kristal4022 in North Richland Hills, TX
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 2,355 times
Tags: bikini line, stretch marks, 5 ft 8 in to 6 ft 0 in, c-section, post-pregnancy, scar, twins

I am 23 years old. After a twin pregnancy, my stomach is full of stretch marks and I have loose, sagging skin. Im 5' 11", 179 lbs with a goal weight of 160. Ive heard the loose skin will only get worse with weight loss. Is it possible to have a scar about one to two inches lower than my c-section scar? I also have scarring from small cysts below my breast, will that effect the surgery or outcome?

21 answers to Is It Possible for a Tummy Tuck Scar Below C Section Scar?

+2

C-section scar and tummy tuck scar location

The incision can be placed below your existing C-section scar. Depending on your anatomy, you might have a short vertical scar as well. Fortunately for patients, there are now many different tummy tucks besides just full and mini tummy tucks.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+2

Tummy tuck scar is always lower than a C section scar

In general, a tummy tuck scar is always placed lower than the C section scar. This guarantees a scar that can be hidden and a procedure that does not make your pubic area too big. A C-section scar is made at the time of pregnancy which has a significant amount of distortion secondary to the baby and the fact that the scar is needed to access the uterus and not for a cosmetic procedures. A low scar helps to shape the mons area as well as contour the abdomen.  I am not sure what the cyst... more
Andrew P. Trussler, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

You can have you TT scar below your CS scar

To stretch and tighten out the skin above you belly button you will need to have an incision around your BB. It's attached to your insides by a stalk that doesn't move that far. Once it's released everything around it can be freed up and pulled downward leaving the BB where it is. A new hole will be made thrugh the pulled down skin over it so it can be pulled out and sewn inplace. The hole that was made around it will move down only as far as the laxity... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

+2

Tummy Tuck scar placement following C Sections

Placement of a tummy tuck scar varies.  In patients who have a c/s scar, the tummy tuck surgery usually removes the c/s scar and is replaced by the tummy tuck scar if possible.  If the c/s scar is higher than the usual placement of the tummy tuck incision, the c/s scar can usually can be removed.  Cysts below your breasts should not be a problem unless you have an infection or drainage from them.
Albert Dabbah, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck - Is It Possible for a Tummy Tuck Scar Below C Section Scar?

In general - yes. Of course, it is impossible to make any definitive suggestions without being able to see you in person and assess both your skin/fat, and go over what your expectations are. And if you're thinking about having more children, it obviously makes more sense to do so before undergoing a TT. But, that being said, it normally IS possible to place the TT incision lower than your existing C-section scar (depending on the anatomy). What's difficult is... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Scar Location?

Thank you for the question and pictures. It is possible that your tummy tuck incision may be placed at or below the level of the previous C-section scar. This can be determined best after direct physical examination. The main determinant of the tummy tuck incision and resulting scar line is the patient's body type. Ideally the incision and resulting skyline is kept as little as possible, planned to be hidden beneath undergarments and... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Tummy Tuck

You are correct that the skin around the abdomen will become more loose with weight loss. Stretch marks act almost as scars and do not allow the skin to snap back as it once did. The purpose of the tummy tuck is too remove the loose skin and most of the stretch marks below the belly button. The incision is usally placed below a c-section scar. As for the scars below your breasts, there is a chance that when your skin is pulled tightly over the abdomen that they will move further... more
Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Placement of Tummy Tuck Scar

It is always possible to place a Tummy Tuck scar below a C-Section scar, as you can then remove the C-Section scar. The opposite is not possible. This allows us to place the scar low for a better cosmetic appearance and better ability to hide it. Other scars are dealt with individually, but are usually not a problem (except for sub-costal gallbladder scars which cause us to modify the procedure). Congratulations on loosing the extra weight. You will get a much better result by doing so. more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

C section scars

Your c section scar placement is variable.  It all depends on where your OB put it.  It can be really low and if that's the case it will define where the TT scar goes.  Your overall abdomen will look much better after a TT assuming you're done having children.  Best wishes
Ricardo A. Meade, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.DoctorMeade.com

+1

Keeping tummy tuck scars low

I frequently place my tummy tuck incisions at, or below, patient's previous C-section scars. However, every patient's anatomy is different and the location of the incision will ultimately depend on how much laxity there is within the skin, and also where exactly the previous C-section scar is located. In Los Angeles, the obstetricians are trending toward placing their C-section scars very low, just above the pubic hair line.Although I can commonly accomodate this incision location on... more
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck Scar

Yes, it is possible to have your tummy tuck scar placed below your previous C-section scar.  It is difficult to tell from your photos, but the tummy tuck scar may not be able to be placed a full 1-2 inches below the C-section scar.  At any rate, the C-section scar should be able to be removed with a tummy tuck.  In general, tummy tuck scars can be placed about 7 cm above the vaginal lips, resulting in a very low abdominal scar.  However, depending on your anatomy,... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

+1

Tummy Tuck Incision

Without examining you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice on the ideal incision placement for your body.  That said, in most cases, the tummy tuck / abdominoplasty incision is usually placed below the c-section scar, so that the c-section scar can be removed during the surgery.     Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Placing the tummy tuck scar below the C-section scar level

It is possible to place the tummy tuck scar very low over the pubic bone, just below where a typical C-section scar might fall. There is a good reason when an individual has a short torso, or the ethnic characteristic of the skin might be prone to pigmentation in the scar, or the hair within the pubic area is darker or slightly thicker. The lower scar will be better hidden and offer more flexibility with clothing. The trade off just might be a small scar in the lower abdomen where the... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is It Possible for a Tummy Tuck Scar Below C Section Scar?

Yes below the C-section scar but 2 inches is asking alot. Best to see in person 3 boarded PS's in your area. Best of luck. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Location of tummy tuck scar

Unless the C-section was performed through an unusually low incision, the scar from a tummy tuck is usually at or lower than the C-section scar and removes the C-section scar.  The goal for scar placement would be at a level where the scar would be covered by underwear, bathing suits, etc.
Craig S. Rock, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck

Usually the tummy tuck scar will be placed as low as possible. This will include removal of the old c-section scar
David L. Abramson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Location of a Tummy Tuck Scar Vis A Vis an old C-Section Scar?

In designing the location of a Tummy Tuck scar most Plastic surgeons attempt, whenever possible, to place the scar just below the style of underwear you wear and to remove any existing transverse C-Section (Pfannenstiel's) scar.  The extent of removal of damaged tummy skin would depend on - the amount of fat under the skin (the thinner you are, the more skin can be removed) - how low the tummy tuck incision is placed (the lower the incision, the more skin is left... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Removing the C-section scar in a tummy tuck

Typically unless the C-section scar is exceptionally low and if you have little upper abdominal skin excess, it is possible to remove the old scar and go under it.  However, the final location of the scar will actually look higher than the C-section scar because it pulls up as you stand straight up after surgery.  You get a little lower body lift out of that though.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Will tummy tuck remove my c-sxn scar?

The scar for a tummy tuck usually replaces the c-sxn scar. It can be lower but unlikely to be higher unles your c-sxn scar is unusually low.
Neal Goldberg, MD

Westchester Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck scar

While it is possible to lower the C-section scar, I doubt you will be able to do that with a ful tummy tuck in your case. A modified tummy tuck or a mini-tuck can do this but these will not remover all of your stretch marks. You have to sit down with your surgeon and discuss the oriorities of your surgery. Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D.
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar position following tummy tuck

You don't indicate how recent was your delivery, how close you are to your pre-pregnancy weight, whether you are breast-feeding, and whether you plan any further children.  All these factors will influence the timing of your surgery. That said, your scar can be placed lower than your c-section scar, with two caveats.  The lower your scar, the more likely you are to require a vertical scar to incorporate your old belly-button hole.  Also, less skin... more
Michael Kreidstein, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

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