Straight insicion for tummy tuck? I do not curve upwards below my hipbones. Will it benefit or hinder? (Photo)

You have an awesome figure, very well toned muscles and just the flaccid skin on your upper and lower abdomen. The straight incision is more difficult to hide under a bikini. A bit curvy incision, placed very low, will be the perfect for you, in my opinion.You will be loving your beautiful result. Be encouraged. Dr. Cardenas

This is often based on patient and surgeon preference. When the French-cut bikini's were in style, incisions were quite high on the abdomen so that they could be hidden. Now, the trend is towards low cut bikinis, and therefore the tummy tuck incisions are placed lower on the pelvic area.The most important thing to maintain is a low scar, regardless of whether it is curved or straight. I place my scars in the pubic hairline and curve slightly upwards on the sides towards the hip bones.You have a long torso, so it's important that your scar is kept low on the abdomen. Have your surgeon draw the proposed incision on your tummy in clinic and bring in your favorite low-cut bikini. This is how I stay on the same page with my patients. Plastic surgery is about matching expectations between patient and physician.

It's a bit confusing. In the picture shown, is it you or a another patient demonstrating the incsion your surgeon is suggesting? Every patint requires a unique approach, specifically when designing the tummy tuck incision. If the picture shown in fact is oyu, then I would be very cautious. There is avery long distance between your belly button and the pubic area. The idea behind the TT is to remove all of the excess skin located between these two areas. However, there needs to be enough tissue above the belly button in order to obtain full closure.Good luck

     There are many options, and I have produced results based upon patient preference many times.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Incision site placement for a Tummy Tuck is  a decision best made by the Doctor and the patient. Keeping in mind that the goal is to produce -- the flattest, tightest abdomen with the shortest scar. It is preferred to be able to remove all of the skin from the belly button down to the lowest incision site. Yes, a straight scar in you can be utilized but you may require a vertical component in order to facilitate the operation. You just don't have enough skin below the belly button to guarantee not having a vertical component

The straight incision for tummy tuck was common many years ago when bathing suits etc were designed differently. This type of incision is rarely used today. When the incision curves upward on each side it is located in natural creases along the upward sloping inguinal area. This incision location is also compatible with most bikinis and under garments.

In general, an incision / scar with a gentle curve will look better and is more easily hidden in typical underwear and bathing suits, which would also be the case with you.  The laxity (loose ) tissue / skin will generally follow a curve along the contours of the pelvis not straight across to the thigh.  From your photograph, you may also be a good candidate for a different type of abdominoplasty as you do not have an excessive amount of loose skin and your belly button is rather high on your abdomen.  This type of tummy tuck is sometimes referred to as a mini-abdominoplasty which can be performed with a smaller, very low incision, without any type of incision / scar of the belly button with full skin and muscle tightening.  Further consultation may be warranted.  It may be useful for you to seek another opinion to hear a different perspective as plastic surgery is quite subjective and you need to choose a surgeon and approach that you feel comfortable with for this elective surgery.  good luck.

Hello, thank you for the question and the picture. You have a wonderful core for a Tummy tuck, I don't like straight scars because, regardless of what you think of your body, the natural skin crease where the abdomen meets the pubic area, is curved, and thus, bathing suits, bikinis and underwear are also curved and I would want to have the scar hidden beneath them, but it's, in the end, a matter of preference by the surgeon.

You have great muscle tone and no extra fat.  Your tummy tuck should involve removal of extra skin.  The best incision line will follow the natural lines of your skin tension and should be located at the top of the pubic hair.  The least obtrusive scar is the one that respects RSTLs: Relaxed Skin Tension Lines.

Hi Steph.Thanks for the question.  I think plastic surgeons often do things differently and what they are comfortable with. I like a curved incision like a gull wing as it follows esp. In your case, the inguinal ligament which is well defined I n you and therefore hides the scar better (in my opinion). A flat incision is nice if you are going to wear a low cut bikini or pants.