Will a tummy tuck cause previous breast implant scars to lower and can they be revised at the time of my tummy tuck? (photos)

Thank you for your question regarding whether your inframammary or under-the-breast scars will move during a tummy tuck. Based on your history and your picture, it is likely that your inframammary scars will be pulled lower during the tummy tuck procedure. This is because the skin needs to be tightened to achieve the best tummy tuck results.

Given your abdominal pictures and history, you would benefit most from a tummy tuck rather than abdominal liposuction. It is crucial to achieve optimal tightening and contouring, which a tummy tuck can provide.

Regarding the revision of your inframammary scars at the time of your tummy tuck, it is not advisable to perform both procedures simultaneously. Revising the breast surgery scars at the same time could compromise the blood flow necessary for proper healing of the tummy tuck. Instead, it is generally recommended to consider inframammary scar revision approximately six months after your tummy tuck.

Breast scar revisions can be accomplished with CO2 laser treatments or surgical procedures. However, you may find that after your tummy tuck, the position of your breast scars is acceptable and does not require further revision.

Good luck with your procedure. I hope this has answered your question regarding the potential movement of your inframammary scars during a tummy tuck and the possibility of their revision.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

Hi, great questions. Based on the photos that you have provided you look like an excellent candidate for tummy tuck surgery to remove the excess skin on your abdomen. Your breast implants scars should not sit lower relative to your breasts following the surgery, as the abdominal tissues are not lifted off the abdominal wall as high as your inframammary fold. Typically, undermining is performed up to the costal margin only (lower border of the ribs).
I would caution against having the scars revised at the same time as having a tummy tuck, especially if your aim is to restore your scars to the inframammary fold. This is because these 2 procedures will be working against one-another (one to pull your abdominal tissues down, and the other to raise the scar to the native IMF) so you are at risk of an unsatisfactory result, including scar stretch or malposition. It is also worth considering whether your implants require revision, as they may be sitting too high, making the scar appear low. A face to face consultation would provide the means to assess your case and discuss in more detail.

The dissection for a tummy tuck typically should not go over your rib cage where your scars are. The scars will remain where they are.

The tummy tuck could pull your breast scars down a little more but it would likely be a few MM, not multiple CM.
Are your implants in the proper position? Sometimes capsular contracture can cause the implants to migrate up and the scars then appear low. Something you could correct during the tummy tuck as well.
An exam could help identify what is all going on and what to do first vs doing them at the same time.
You're a great candidate for an abdominoplasty. Make sure to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon to help a discuss your options in person.

Dear Nice728706,
tummy tuck will not affect your previous breast scars. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck and there is a small chance that your breast scar may be affected. The degree to which it may be lowered or altered will depend on the surgical technique.

Yes, a tummy tuck will cause the scars to be lowered. I recommend you undergo a scar revision to raise the scars higher and then consider a tummy tuck after that. Doing the breasts first may pull up some upper abdominal skin and make the tummy tuck easier to do.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Tummy tuck surgery usually results with lowering of the inframammary fold. Scar revision of the breasts can be done at the same time with tummy tuck surgery. Your skin looks very loose and if you don't have a muscle separation you may have 2 separate incisions one is located under the breast and one is over the pubis and there may be no need to cut around your navel.

Hi, thanks for your enquiry. I would say that correction of tummy skin with tummy tuck surgery will make a nice improvement for you. I doubt that it would pull down the breast implant access scars significantly - but it may do - impossible to promise on this. Most of the skin stretch and pull happens in the zone between the navel and the ribs; also, most of your skin laxity is in the lower part of the tum so could tailor the skin mobilisation to minimise pull around the bases of the breasts Probably best to do tt and see the outcome and then consider about whether and how to hide / move the breast scars.

The tuck should not pull down on your breast scars. The breast scars could be revised and possibly raised. Please discuss this with your surgeon.