Is It Better to Have a Tummy Tuck Incision Wrap Around Your Waist?

Question

I saw a few reviews with photos where the surgeon used a "C" shaped incision for a tummy tuck, where it wrapped around to the back flank a bit. The results looked fantastic. I'm wondering if this is in fact beneficial to avoid dog ears and to make the contour of the sides and back better. Just curious if there is any truth to this. Thanks

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

I vary my incisions to get the best possible results in terms of removing the most amount of skin and fat as well as acces to the abdominal muscles in order to tighten them. If a longer "C" incision is required, then I will do this. However, my goal is to have a nice, low, and inconspicuous scar in the bikini line.

Ellen A. Mahony, MD · Answer

Hello Hollyb40,

	An extended incision that goes further than the front of the abdomen can be a great solution for those ladies that have loose skin along the hips.  It can accomplish a few things:

	1. Contour the front of the abdomen and hips so that the transition from the front of the tummy to the sides is evenly shaped, without an abrupt shift to a "muffin top"

	2.  Blend in the end of the incision so that it is smoothm without a "dog ear"

	Keep in mind that not everyone requires this type of an abdominoplasty which is called an extended abdominoplasty.  But, it can be a great choice for those with a little extra on the sides.

	Thanks for asking!  Dr Ellen

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

An extended tummy tuck can be utilized in patients who have a great deal of skin laxity that extends beyond the abdomen. It is not the norm, and liposuction of the flanks and back often produces a very nice contour without the longer scar. Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks and liposuction procedures each year. Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Robert L. Steely, MD, FACS · Answer

Good afternoon!

	 

	It sounds like you are referring to an extended tummy tuck incision that can be beneficial in some patients with a large amount of lateral skin laxity.  It can potentially avoid any issues with "dog ears" .  Depending upon your body type, you may have to be rolled on your side or even placed on your stomach to make such an incision.

	I hope this helps

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The length of the tummy tuck scar will depend on your anatomy and the extent of the looseness of your tissue. If there is not a lot of laxity of the tissue of the back and buttock area, there is no reason to extend the incision all the way across the back. The length of the incision should be individualized and should be the shortest that it can be to achieve the desired outcome. If there is no significant looseness of the skin on the sides of the abdomen and the back, then there is no reason to extend the scar beyond the abdomen since it would not improve the results.  You should discuss this at a consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

	 

	Robert Singer, MD  FACS

	 

	La Jolla, California

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. What type of tummy tuck a specific patient would benefit from will depend on the patient's specific anatomy and specific goals. For example, if a patient presents with a significant amount of “excess” skin/adipose tissue of the waistline area and wishes to have a smooth waistline ( with no “muffin top”),  then an extended tummy tuck may be indicated. If a lesser procedure is carried out for this type of patient, it is not unlikely that he/she will have regrets afterwards and wish to have additional treatment of the flanks and/or lower back carried out.

	 Again,  specific advice would necessitate careful in person consultation.

	 Best wishes.

Jose Luis Acosta Collado, MD · Answer

when performing a tummy tuck the scar length will depend on the degree of cutaneous laxity on the side of the abdomen and back; generally there is much cutaneous laxity in patients who have had massive weight loss, among others .... extend the scar does not produce better results when there is no marked laxity on the sides of the abdomen, liposuction is useful to eliminate dog ears and achieve shorter scars with nice contour

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

The length of an abdominoplasty incision will be determined by the amount of skin laxity.  In consultation with your plastic surgeon, the length of the planned incision can be estimated.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

This can be the right thing to do if there is lax skin and excess fat beyond the reach of a standard abdominoplasty. For most patients, extending the scar around the back will provide just the larger scar, but no benefit. 

	For those whose skin and/or fat excess continues along the sides to the back, extending the incision is the better approach. 

	All the best.

Is It Better to Have a Tummy Tuck Incision Wrap Around Your Waist?

Answers (9)

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