What causes this horizontal line in my stomach? Treatments? (photos)

Question

I’ve never been pregnant but it’s like my stomach makes a B shape if I turn to the side. Can I get this cut and again what actually causes this I know I’m a bit overweight however, is it a muscle?

Stephen M. Krant, MD, FACS · Answer

The hortizontal creases lines are “normal.” You seeing
relatively small amount of lipodystrophy (fat) in the lower abdomen.
Continue working out, especially with your abdominals. If the lower fullness
from your umbilicus to the pubic area does not improve, then limited
liposculpture can be done with one small incision in the suprapubic area. Good
luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, fraxel and/or CO2 are best for resurfacing, but Erbium is a good alternative. I always combine lasers with microneedling/PRP for more robust outcomes. For skin tightening, I recommend a combination of Ultherapy with RF treatments and Sculptra for skin tightening. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.It is hard to tell from this photo, you would need to set an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon for proper evaluation.Good Luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear mance1,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
Based on your pictures, you are a good candidate for liposuction, to improve your abdomen and flanks, and I think you'll get very good results. 
In general, you need to be physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, be a non-smoker and your BMI needs to be 30 or less. You should be back to training in 2 weeks.
I recommend you to make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to talk about your goals and anything you need to know.
Good luck :)

Daniel Zeichner, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
It is hard to say with only a single oblique photograph, but the musculature in that area runs up and down. Contraction of the muscle may cause overlying horizontal skin folding, especially if there is overlying padding of fatty tissue. 
I would recommend evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon for in-person evaluation and examination. If it proves to be fatty tissue, you may be a liposuction candidate. It will flatten the abdomen but may not totally eliminate the line.
Best wishes...

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi MenaceYou abdominal shape is due to a weakness in the lower part of the abdominal strength layer (fascia), along with a localized increase in fat thickness.  I bet that if you look at pictures of your parents when they were younger, or perhaps siblings, you may find a similar appearance.Losing weight or localized liposuction may help but will lilely not resolve the shape completely to your satisfaction.An exam will allow your plastic surgeon to advise you.Hope this helps.sek

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

It is hard to answer your question without more pictures or an in person consultation. However, high definition VASER liposuction or a tummy tuck can likely resolve this issue.  A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.
Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

there is a natural thinning of the fat good morning at this particular line on everybody. And some people it’s more pronounced than others. It’s part of something called a hemi inscription. In this area there are connective tissue bands from the skin to the underlying muscle fascia that are slightly shorter than the rest of your fat layer. Increasing weight would probably make this worse. In your picture it looks like you’re sucking in your abdomen or leaning forward. I’m guessing this is not as pronounced when you’re standing up straight in a neutral position but probably forms visibly when you sit. Everyone has this to some degree but it shows more in some than others. Decreasing the overall thickness of subcutaneous fat would probably help to some degree. Undergoing a full tummy tuck would also remove this line though I don’t recommend having that procedure for you.It’s simply one variant of normal anatomy. It’s part of the six pack lines.You can read hemi inscriptionsThese generally refers to the thinning out of the rectus abdominis muscle but the same area also has connective tissue bands that go to the skin. There are certain parts on the body where there’s more connective tissue that anchor the skin to the underlying muscle fascia. The mid back has these in a particular area that causes the back skin to fold in what we sometimes call the back bra roll. It is another set of skin attachments. Some people have a bulge on the upper abdomen just below the breasts. This is also caused by the same mechanism.I would recommend you leave this alone. Liposuction is one option if you feel like that would be a good reason but simply treating the line is probably not the best approach. I would not recommend fat transfer or injecting fillers in this area.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

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