Can an extended tummy tuck remove high stretch marks on my love handle? (Photo)

The TT will remove the stretchmarks to the level of the belly button. The scar can be well concealed if placed in a low position.  Stretch marks above the navel cannot be removed during a TT.  However, because the skin is lifted and repositioned during the TT, stretch marks above the navel prior to the surgery will be less visible following the TT, as they will be moved to a lower position.  You would need to be examined by a board certified PS to determine if you have enough skin laxity to obtain the results you are seeking.

When an extended abdominoplasty is performed the lateral stretch marks are in part removed. The extent of the removal of the stretch marks is determined by the extent of lax skin, length of tolerated scars and weight loss. Good luck...

Hello and thank you for your question.   Tummy tucks and extended tummy tucks dramatically improve stretch marks, but I would need a more complete view of your abdomen to better answer your question.  I would recommend that you seek a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and be sure he/she addresses all your concerns about an abdominoplasty and discusses the surgery details including the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  In terms of the abdominoplasty details -- the necessary skin and fat is removed, the abdominal muscles are plicated (tightened), a small umbilical incision is made that is not externally visible (to give you an "innie" belly button), and a short, low waistline incision is designed to be easily hidden by your underwear or bikini.  Please view plenty of before-and-after pictures in real women (and not just computer-generated images) who have a similar abdominal appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome.  And lastly, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.

For further information on tummy tucks, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS

Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

It is hard to give an opinion based on the posted picture, submit a picture showing your entire abdomen. Generally, stretch marks below the belly button will be removed, any above the belly button will be in a lower position. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to learn what options are available to you. Good luck.

Without standard photos- all views, and of course the benefit of physical exam - it's difficult to give the best answer in this case. Generally speaking, all stretch marks below the belly button are removed. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS for in person exam

Dear Mermaid94,
it is hard to tell for sure. In case of tummy tuck, only stretch marks on removed skin will be lost and it won't affect stretch marks that are placed too high. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Unfortunately, your single picture doesn’t provide any perspective in terms of the rest of your abdomen.  It is impossible to say how much may be possible without seeing the abdomen in total.  The best thing to do is to have a few consultations with board certified plastic surgeons and see what will work best for you.  I hope this helps.

Even with extension of the incision laterally and around posterior Lu the amount of skin that can be resected will reduce but not eliminate stretch marks.   The vertical height of skin to be resected can be 6-8 inches in the anterior abdomen depending on skin laxity but much less laterally.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  It would be helpful to evaluate pictures of your entire abdomen in order to fully evaluate the specific location of your current stretch marks and determine if they could be removed.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. 

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

Hello and thank you for your question and sharing your photo. The picture you have provided is very limited, so I cannot answer your specific question. During tummy tuck, extra skin in the lower half of your abdomen including the stretch marks will be removed. My best advice to you is to see a board-certified plastic surgeon. Ask to see lots and lots of before and after pictures. 
Pejman Aflaki, M.D.

Johns Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon