My PS says I will need a 1 1/2" vertical incision because there is not enough skin to get past the old BB. He says it will not be connected to horizontal incision but free floating in center of my ab. I 'm afraid this will look unsighly. My only alternative is to float my existing BB which won't address fully the laxity in upper abs. What to do? I am 70, fit 140 lbs, 5'8".
September 28, 2023
Answer: I agree- tummy tuck w/ small vertical scar Hello and thank you for your question. From the pictures you have provided, you should be proud of your body, especially at 70! You have a moderate amount of excess skin and subcutaneous fat present throughout your trunk- most notable in your lower to mid central abdomen, minimal excess in your flanks, and excess skin throughout your mid & upper back w/ notable asymmetry (more fat excess and skin excess on your left flank and back compared to the right). Based on all this, you would benefit from an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to help improve your abdominal/trunk contour. As your surgeon has already mentioned, because you do not have a severe amount of skin and fat excess in your lower and mid central abdomen, there is less tissue to resect during the operation, meaning there is a possibility you might have a residual vertical scar (from the cutout of your current belly button), which may or may not be connected to the main horizontal tummy tuck scar. Of course, we surgeons always try to remove enough skin in the operating room to prevent this vertical scar, if it is safe to do so. Some people pull things tighter than others, but the downside of pulling things too tight and resecting too much skin during this procedure is there can be too much tension on the horizontal wound- meaning they might not be able to get things closed in the operating room, or if they do, the wound will be under too much tension which can significantly increase the risk of wound healing complications (wound breakdown, dehiscence, infection, widened or unattractive scars). Weighing these potential risks against the risk of a small vertical scar which almost always heals uneventfully and is minimally noticeable, I'm sure you'd agree that the small vertical scar is worth it. Regarding the transverse lower abdominal scar and even the vertical scar, if you adhere to proper scar care and sun avoidance after surgery, they should eventually heal to be minimally noticeable. And depending on how close the vertical scar is to the horizontal scar, it can always be removed at a later time (6-12 months later) in the office under local, if this is truly a concern.
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September 28, 2023
Answer: I agree- tummy tuck w/ small vertical scar Hello and thank you for your question. From the pictures you have provided, you should be proud of your body, especially at 70! You have a moderate amount of excess skin and subcutaneous fat present throughout your trunk- most notable in your lower to mid central abdomen, minimal excess in your flanks, and excess skin throughout your mid & upper back w/ notable asymmetry (more fat excess and skin excess on your left flank and back compared to the right). Based on all this, you would benefit from an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to help improve your abdominal/trunk contour. As your surgeon has already mentioned, because you do not have a severe amount of skin and fat excess in your lower and mid central abdomen, there is less tissue to resect during the operation, meaning there is a possibility you might have a residual vertical scar (from the cutout of your current belly button), which may or may not be connected to the main horizontal tummy tuck scar. Of course, we surgeons always try to remove enough skin in the operating room to prevent this vertical scar, if it is safe to do so. Some people pull things tighter than others, but the downside of pulling things too tight and resecting too much skin during this procedure is there can be too much tension on the horizontal wound- meaning they might not be able to get things closed in the operating room, or if they do, the wound will be under too much tension which can significantly increase the risk of wound healing complications (wound breakdown, dehiscence, infection, widened or unattractive scars). Weighing these potential risks against the risk of a small vertical scar which almost always heals uneventfully and is minimally noticeable, I'm sure you'd agree that the small vertical scar is worth it. Regarding the transverse lower abdominal scar and even the vertical scar, if you adhere to proper scar care and sun avoidance after surgery, they should eventually heal to be minimally noticeable. And depending on how close the vertical scar is to the horizontal scar, it can always be removed at a later time (6-12 months later) in the office under local, if this is truly a concern.
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September 26, 2023
Answer: Tummy tuck An in person evaluation is best, but from the photos it appears you have adequate skin laxity for a standard tummy tuck. Sometimes that vertical incision is needed to keep the scar low if the patient doesn't have enough excess skin. It can be located low near the horizontal scar to optimize keeping it hidden. It tends to heal very well. I encourage you to visit with a few board certified plastic surgeons near you for consultations to hear varying opinions.
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September 26, 2023
Answer: Tummy tuck An in person evaluation is best, but from the photos it appears you have adequate skin laxity for a standard tummy tuck. Sometimes that vertical incision is needed to keep the scar low if the patient doesn't have enough excess skin. It can be located low near the horizontal scar to optimize keeping it hidden. It tends to heal very well. I encourage you to visit with a few board certified plastic surgeons near you for consultations to hear varying opinions.
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