Is my tummy tuck scar too high? (photos)

Thank you for your question.The scar does appear high, but it is still early in the healing phase. The surgeon may have try to avoid any vertical component to the tummy tuck incision, and you may not have had enough loose skin for a regular tummy tuck with a horizontal scar. Do discuss your concern with your surgeon and follow his instructions. You will see the final results in a few months. All The Best !

Dear Hsedlock,I always try to place my incision as low as possible to make sure it is not visible while wearing bikini or underwear. Based on your photo, it looks like your incision is a bit higher. However, you are still in the very early stages of the healing process.Your will need to be patient at this moment and follow what your surgeon has instructed you to do post operatively.At the early stage of the healing process, the tissues are still swollen. Once the swelling subsides  you will be able to see the final result of your surgery.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Unfortunately at this point you have to wait and give it some time for the skin to stretch and relax.  In certain cases the scar can be lowered a bit, but I am not sure that would be possible in your case given how high the scar is and how tight your skin is.At this point all you can do is heal and try to get the best possible scar appearance.  Maybe in a year or two down the line you can revisit this and see if the skin has relaxed enough to allow any lowering of the scar.Hope that helps.

Thank you for your question and photos. Yes, your tummy tuck scar is way too high and way too long with a large belly button! Did you see a board certified plastic surgeon and/or cost was an issue in making your decision? Unfortunately, this cannot be lowered, assessing from your preop photo. It is best to explain to the patient before surgery that the trade off of a very low scar is a small vertical scar down at the pubic area. That can be removed 6-12 months later under local. If you were my patient, that's what I would have done and also remove your umbilicus and reconstruct that later at the optimum position  with an athletic abdomen. Not everyone keeps up in the advances in abdominoplasty techniques, they keep on doing what they learned in training 20-30 years ago. Good luck with your healing.

Whenever possible, we try to place the tummy tuck scar low into the bikini line or panty line.  Some patients have limited skin excess and because of this, the skin can be pulled down only so far.  alternatively, in those patients that do not have a large amount of loose skin, a lower transverse scar can be used with a short vertical scar at the midline, or, doing a floating umbilicus to reposition the skin and the belly button as well.  Generally, the preoperative condition of skin excess dictates the ultimate position of the scar, and in the photos, it appears as if there is limited skin excess.

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph and I am sorry that your current result has caused you concern.  It does appear that your incision is close to your bell button and may be high, but it is difficult to assess based on the limited picture and degree of tissue swelling present.  Scar placement is variable in patients due to the amount of excess/loose skin available, and the desire to avoid a vertical scar.  During your follow up appointment discuss your current results with your before images to have an idea as to the decision making that went into it.  

I'm sorry that you are unhappy with your scar placement. It does indeed look higher than typical. Once you have recovered from surgery and the tissues settle you may be able to have it lowered somewhat. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Thank you for your questionI see why you are concern, your scar seems high. The question is did you discuss a vertical component to your scar with your surgeon? As it is sometimes needed if the skin laxity is not enough.I recommend you follow up with your surgeon and express your concerns.Best Wishes
Dr Genevieve F. Caron, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Montreal, Canada

and was accepting of the vertical scar that would result from release of your belly button, you did not get it.  Your scar is, in my opinion, way to high, unless you wanted that to avoid the vertical scar.  You should be discussing your disappointment with your surgeon and find out what your surgeon's reasoning may be for why your scar is so high.

Unfortunately, this scar does seem too high.  I generally try to keep the scar as low as possible and find that patients will accept a smaller vertical midline scar to keep the horizontal portion as low as possible.  It is early in the healing process, and the scar position may settle slightly over time.  You may also be able to revise and lower the scar a small amount in the future depending on how much the skin relaxes.  Be patient, best of luck.