Is it normal to have an incision above my pubic area beside the incision across my abdomen?

Hi Pinay2u,
The upper abdominal skin stretches downward in a tummy tuck, through a combination of undermining to the costal margin (rib edges) and sitting you up in bed. For some patients, the amount of skin that can be removed does not extend to the level of the umbilicus...when this occurs, the site where the surgeon cuts around the umbilicus is closed vertically. This allows you to have a low scar with a short vertical portion, as opposed to a horizontal scar at the top edge of your current vertical incision.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

The vertical scar above your pubic area is likely from your old belly button site. During a tummy tuck, the tummy is tightened, and the excess skin is removed. An incision is made around the belly button initially; the skin is pulled tight; and the belly button is brought out through the skin. Ideally, the excess skin removed would include the old site of your belly button, so there would only be a horizontal scar. In your case, it was likely that the belly button site did not reach the lower incision, so the old belly button site was reclosed as a vertical scar. I would recommend visiting your surgeon to discuss your concerns.

If you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck that scar would be entirely cut out.. it would hoever be replaced by a horizontal scar which would be longer but expected to heal nicer

Dear Pinay2u,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Unless you had an old scar from previous surgery, your surgeon attempted to remove some vertical excess of skin with this scar. The scar could be revised or treated with micro-needling. Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Typically a vertical incision that is located immediately above the horizontal incision is representative of the closure of your belly button when the skin was removed. From the photo yours appears to be a little higher than typical. Your surgeon should be able to confirm if this is the case or if it is a result of something else.

To make an assessment on the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure we need to see proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have before and after pictures then ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
And some individuals there’s not enough skin laxity to clear the belly button and still have a Loosid Squire it. For those individuals the surgeon needs to add a small vertical scar usually right above the main incision.
Yours appears a bit longer than what would be needed to simply exercise the belly button but without seeing before and after pictures or having been present at the time of surgery we can’t really tell you why your scar looks the way it does.
I can tell you that everybody is going to have a skin bulge or skin laxity in a sitting position.
It’s not possible to have tight skin in a sitting position and still be able to stand up straight.
Overall your single picture is consistent with a typical tummy tuck result. your belly button looks better than average.
I suggest you discuss with your provider why the vertical scar is there. I’m sure he or she would be happy to explain it to you.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photograph, there is a central vertical component to your abdominoplasty scar. This may have been required if the amount of skin and soft tissue available for downward advancement did not reach the pubis without undue tension, risking the possibility of skin and soft tissue death. The tissues were advanced and rotated inward to create the scar exhibited.
As the tissues mature, they will soften and flatten somewhat. You may be a candidate for scar revision and advancement to shorten and improve the appearance of the scar. 15% of cosmetic surgeries can be improved with a secondary touch-up procedure.
Revisit your plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...