Can my hip tattoo be removed or avoid during tummy tuck? (Photos)

Question

Interested in tummy tuck for diastasis recti, loose skin and fat removal. One doctor told me the tattoo was no issue, another told me it would be “cut in half”. Can it either be removed completely or avoided somehow Entirely? Getting conflicting responses.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

From your photos, the tattoo appears to sit close to the lower abdominal/hip skin that is often involved in a tummy tuck incision and skin removal. That means both opinions you received may be possible depending on exactly how much skin can be removed and where the final low scar needs to sit.
A tummy tuck cannot reliably promise either complete tattoo removal or complete tattoo preservation unless the markings show that the entire tattoo is either inside or outside the planned excision. If part of the tattoo lies across the border of the skin being removed, it may be partially removed or divided. Moving the incision only to protect a tattoo can place the scar too high, increase tension, or compromise the contour, so the abdominal result should usually guide the incision placement.
The best way to decide is to have your surgeon mark you while standing, including the planned lower incision, upper skin pull, and estimated skin removal. If a portion of the tattoo remains afterward, laser tattoo removal or a cover-up can be considered later once the scar and tissues have healed.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

You appear to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Your tattoo is directly in the area where part of the incision is made for a tummy tuck. During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, this issue would be discussed. Because of the tattoo's location, it really could not be avoided. The options would then be to remove it entirely or partially, then have it re-done after surgery. Good luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Kristyn86017,

based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because 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

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

I think both opinions that you have received are valid. The major determining factor for whether the tattoo can be removed is where the scar line is going to end up. If you wanted your scar to be completely concealed by the undergarments that you currently wear, I would agree with the surgeon who said that part of the tattoo would be left behind. Even if this were the route that you chose to go, you could always have the remainder of the tattoo removed under local anesthesia after you have healed from the tummy tuck. (I usually have my patients wait 6-12 months before doing this of excision).
If you are more concerned with having the whole tattoo removed, that is definitely doable, but the scar line is going to be lower and will be partially visible on the sides while wearing those undergarments.

Elisa Stein, MD · Answer

Traditional tummy tuck which includes skin removal, repair of the rectus muscle, and repositioning of the belly button is typically performed with a low abdominal incision that would hide in a bikini or underwear. Based on the location of your left hip tattoo, that tattoo could be removed with the excess skin to let the scar be in an easily camouflaged location. If you prefer to keep the tattoo, the incision would have to rest above it and would be more visible as a result. Dr Stein

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry!  We, at Mays Plastic Surgery, would love to meet with you to discuss your concerns.  There will be slight differences between surgeons and their surgical techniques.   Find the one that has the same goals as yours and go with it.  Be open with your goals with your surgeon.  Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mays, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, to help you reach your goals.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

I think the tattoo will be removed. I can see were some providers would be nervous about complete removal, but I think it will be totally gone with a proper low transverse incision. If a small remnant remains, then laser removal will take care of the remaining pigment.

M. Zakir Sabry, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The tattoo is on the skin that needs to be excised or crossed out, so it will be affected. You can plan a complete removal with your surgeon by designing the abdominoplasty to include the entire tattoo to achieve the best contour.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

The tattoo can be removed completely. The scar will be low and will encompass the tattoo. To leave the tattoo, a high scar would be necessary.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. It appears that the placement of your tummy tuck incision could be placed just barely above your tattoo, therefore preserving it.  This should not affect the overall result of your tummy tuck, and would still allow you to tighten your tummy, repair your diastasis, and potentially improve the volume with some liposuction. Best wishes.

Can my hip tattoo be removed or avoid during tummy tuck? (Photos)

Answers (19)

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