How much of my side/hip tattoos will be affected when doing a tummy tuck? (Photo)

I hope you like my title because I literally just came up with it! But on a more serious note....From your photos, it appears that you will loose some of both tattoos. You are correct in that the barrel will probably be gone and the lower part of the skull toward the middle of your abdomen will likely be removed. Make sure you do not try and "save" the tattoos because I think if you do, you may sacrifice a great result. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck!

Hello and thank you for your
question. Based on your photograph, you are a great candidate for a tummy tuck
with liposuction.  This can be done
through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look
natural and have no scars on the exterior.  
Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.   This can be designed to not affect your skull tattoo.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most important
aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. I agree that a significant portion of the barrel of the gun tattoo will be lost and likely the lower portion of your skull tattoo.  With liposuction you may see some distortion of the remaining tattoos as your skin will either be flat or concave in appearance compared to its current convexity.  Hope this helps.

A standard tummy tuck includes skin removal that encompasses from about the level of the belly button down to the hip bones. It is in a football shape, meaning it tapers as you get further out from the center of the abdomen. The scar length will be dependent upon how much skin is removed from the sides. I encourage you to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon who can demonstrate what you can expect in terms of your tattoo. I've also included a video about tummy tuck scars that I hope you find helpful.

From looking at your picture part of the barrel and part of the gun will be removed. To best answer your question you would need a physical examination. One of the things I have my patients do is to sit down and to evaluate how far the roll goes to the side. Another thing that I do involves determining the laxity of the skin. These can’t be determined from your pictures. I invented a tummy tuck where patients typically wake up in no pain (please see the video on our page). In addition the belly buttons look very natural and women even into their late seventies tend to enjoy showing off their new belly button and tummy in a bikini! I hope you find this information useful. Please watch the enclosed video.

Thank you for your photos. it is very difficult to exactly tell you because it depends on the flexibility of the skin on the abdomen. Best of luck

Much will depend on how the operation is "designed"; therefore, clear communication with your plastic surgeon, preferably in front of a full-length mirror, will answer your question specifically. Having said that, I think that you have a good understanding: it is likely that the barrel of the gun will be removed but the remainder of the tattoo will not necessarily be effected. Again clear communication prior to proceeding will be key. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Thank you for your questions and your photos. It is hard to tell through photos how much a tummy tuck will affect your photos. Your best course of action would be to schedule a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. During this consultation you will be able to voice your concerns, goals, and any questions you may have concerning the procedure. The plastic surgeon will then use this information along with observations to determine your best course of action as well as address how much he thinks your tattoos will be affected. Good Luck.

A tummy tuck is a big operation with dramatic results.  Do not let the appearance of any tattoo change the approach to the procedure and therefore lessen the results of the surgery.  Tattoo artists are amazing.  They can repair, hide, camouflage scars, old tattoos, and restore tattoos that have been distorted by surgical procedures.  After your procedure, return to your tattoo artist and just get a BETTER tattoo.Good Luck!

That is pretty much impossible to predict without an in-person examination. It depends on how stretchy your skin is which directly affects not only how long your scar is but how "high" the skin excision goes more laterally.