Tummy Tuck Low Scar Technique? (photos)

Most plastic surgeons start their tummy tucks by cutting across the abdomen at the level of the belly button. Then they dissect towards the breasts and pull the skin downward and cut off as much skin as possible. This results in many scars that are pretty high and too visible to conceal in a 2 piece bathing suit. Another technique is to start low where the scar will be nicely conceived and 'tailor tack' by detaching the belly button, pulling the skin apron down towards the pubis like a window shade and cutting off the excess at the bottom and closing the old belly button hole as a small vertical line. 

Thank you for the question.  In our practice planning the incision line for tummy tuck surgery is done after careful communication of patients' goals and preferences. I find that marking patients the day before surgery, as much as possible, with the help of the patient's planned swimming suit or undergarment, helps when it comes to placement of incisions…In most cases, the tummy tuck incision can be kept very low, usually at or below  the pubic hair line (or at or below an existing C-section scar).The use of the progressive tension relieving suture technique (sutures placed between the abdominal wall flap and the underlying abdominal wall fascia) allows us to keep the resulting scar low and relieve some of the tension upon the tummy tuck closure.  Reducing tension upon the incision line helps keep scars as far as possible.Sometimes, especially for patients with a relatively short torso and/or minimal redundant abdominal wall skin, a short vertical scar is necessary ( in addition to the usual transverse tummy tuck scar). This vertical scar results from closure of the previous umbilical opening and prevents excessive tension upon closer in the midline of the tummy tuck incision line. If this vertical incision is not used, patients may end up with high scars, wound healing problems and/or wider scars. Patients should keep in mind that the lower the incision line used for tummy tuck surgery, the less skin can be removed at or above the umbilicus.  This may be especially relevant for patients who have stretch marks and/or piercings above the umbilicus.  Sometimes, patients elect to have their incision lines placed higher so that more skin and/or an existing supra umbilical piercing can be removed  during the tummy tuck procedure.  Always best to communicate your goals, concerns, and questions directly with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us. It is very important to discuss with your plastic surgeon how will be the resultant scars after surgery.In the Tummy Tuck the scarring is hidden in the panties line. You will change abdominal sagging skin, fat tissue and stretch marks by an aesthetically acceptable scar. If you have a vertical scar component (like an inverted "T") probably the skin didn't reach down, and needed to do that to get a safety closure.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-