Will Tummy Tuck Lower my Old Surgery Scar?

asked 3 years ago by qtpa2d2003 in California
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 488 times
Tags: stretch marks, scar

I had a child 8 yrs ago and my stomach looks disgusting. Not only do I have a ton of stretch marks, I have a scar from a previous surgery to the right of my stomach, right above my belly button. I have consulted with 2 plastic surgeons and both said that after the Tummy Tuck, the scar will be lowered to an area where my underwear would hide it. I just want to be sure that they are right before I spend so much money and go through the pain and discomfort.

5 answers to Will Tummy Tuck Lower my Old Surgery Scar?

Tummy tuck with preexisting scars

In your case, it is likely that your old scar could be moved much lower, perhaps even eliminated. It is always important to look at old scars when doing a tummy tuck. In some cases, old scars make the surgery dangerous, because blood supply does not travel through scars well. All tummy tucks are modified for the patient's anatomy and special circumstances, and your case is no exception.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and removing or replacing existing abdominal scars

Without a doubt the scar could be removed. However, another scar will replace it. In the best of all possible circumstances the scar can be placed low on the abdomen where it can be hidden by undergarments or bathing suits. It is also possible that the scar will lie at a higher position and be visible above bathing suits or underwear. Only the examining physician can gie you the best idea of where the final scar will lay. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck

Yes, they are correct. The scar will be lowered. However, without examining you I can't be sure how far it can be lowered. You should see photos of former patients treated by those physicians.

Jack Gelman, MD
Frankfort Plastic Surgeon

That's a great scar for a tummy tuck!

There are many ways to perform a tummy tuck. Most of the time, we start with the lower incision and then work our way up to the ribcage, and then judge how much skin excess exists before performing the excision. This guarantees a low scar position, but might give an inverted "T" scar in the mid-line if the skin stretch was not enough to get out the old belly button. (First, do not let anyone use this standard operation on you - if they overestimate how much skin they can get... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck

While tummy tuck will definitely lower the scar you already have, it is not possible to determine from a photograph exactly how low it will ultimately end up.

Edmond A. Zingaro, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

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