Can I have a mini tummy tuck with this scar? (Photo)

Question

I live in the UK, I’m 25 and I’ve had this scar since I was 4 years old. I’m 5’5 and currently 74kg although I’ve been losing weight this year and already dropped 5kg. My current plan expects me to lose another 4kg in the next 6 weeks (not sure if this helps). I would rather a mini tuck then a full tummy tuck as I honestly just want to feel confident within myself. Please may I be offered some advice and opinions that are relevant to my scar and my country of residence.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

A mini tummy tuck may be possible, but it depends on where your loose skin is and whether the old scar can be safely incorporated into the new incision. From the photo, the scar appears low on the lower abdomen, which may make it possible to revise or remove part of it during a lower abdominal skin excision.
A mini tummy tuck mainly treats loose skin below the belly button. It does not significantly tighten upper abdominal skin, and it usually does not move or reshape the belly button much. If your main concern is the lower abdomen and scar area, it may be a reasonable option.
If you continue losing weight, I would wait until your weight is stable before surgery. Even another 4–5 kg can change the amount of loose skin and may affect whether a mini or full tummy tuck is better.
In the UK, I would recommend seeing a consultant plastic surgeon who is on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery, ideally with experience in abdominal scar revision and tummy tuck surgery. Bring up the scar specifically and ask whether it can be included in the mini tummy tuck incision.
My advice would be not to choose “mini” only because it sounds smaller. Choose the operation that treats the actual problem. If the loose skin and scar are mostly below the belly button, a mini with scar revision may be enough. If there is significant upper abdominal laxity, a full tummy tuck may be more predictable.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Your photo is not very clear, but from what I can see your abdomen does not look well suited to a mini tummy tuck, since the laxity does not appear limited to below the belly button. A mini only treats the lower abdomen, and using it where more correction is needed leads to disappointment. Your childhood scar is rarely an obstacle, it can usually be excised with the tummy tuck tissue or incorporated into the incision plan. Finishing your planned weight loss first is exactly the right order, and once your weight is stable an in person examination will show whether a full tuck is the safer choice.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

For sure one can have a mini tummy tuck if there is a pre-existing scar. Obviously a good physical exam is necessary to determine placement of the scar and whether it would encompass or treat the pre-existing scar. One thing one would want to do is if the pre-existing scar is not within the skin to be removed, it would not be advised to place a second scar very close to the existing scar. Most surgeons would advise continuing on one's weight loss journey until one has reached the lowest weight and has plateaued for a bit of time prior to performing a mini tummy tuck or a classical abdominoplasty. What cannot be determined from the photo is the quality of the skin, the thickness of the fat and also importantly the amount of loose skin above the umbilicus and below the breast bone. These and other factors would help determine if one is a better candidate for a classic abdominoplasty. Also, assessing the abdominal muscles plays a role to determine if they are stretched out or not.

Manuel Diaz, MD · Answer

Hello. Based on your photo, I believe you could be a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck. 
The scar itself would need to be evaluated in person, but it does not appear to prevent you from having surgery. In many cases, the scar can even be improved or incorporated into the surgical plan, depending on its location and quality.
Since you are currently losing weight, I would recommend getting as close as possible to your goal, as this can help optimize your final results.
Regarding your country of residence, that would not be a problem. We are located in the Dominican Republic and regularly treat many international patients, including patients from the United Kingdom.
A personalized evaluation is essential to determine whether a mini tummy tuck will provide the improvement you are looking for or if another approach would be more appropriate based on your anatomy.

Yily De Los Santos, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Based on your photo, your existing scar does not automatically prevent you from having a mini tummy tuck. The most important factors are the amount of loose skin, muscle separation, and the position of your scar.

Since you’re actively losing weight, I recommend reaching your goal weight before having surgery, as this will help achieve the best possible result.

An in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will determine whether a mini tummy tuck is appropriate or if a full tummy tuck would provide a better outcome. I wish you the very best on your journey.

Can I have a mini tummy tuck with this scar? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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