Will I have to have a long scar if I choose to get a tummy tuck? (Photos)

The length of the scar in a tummy tuck is determined by how much excess skin needs to be removed. A shorter incision can only remove a limited amount of skin, which is why surgeons recommend a longer incision when there is significant laxity. If the incision is made too short for the amount of loose skin, it can leave behind folds or bulges that compromise the result.
A mini tummy tuck uses a shorter scar, but it is best suited for patients with looseness only below the belly button. When the skin laxity extends above the belly button, a full tummy tuck with a longer incision provides a smoother and more balanced contour.
Non surgical options such as laser or radiofrequency skin tightening may give small improvements, but they cannot replicate the effect of surgery when there is more advanced laxity.
I have also shared a detailed video where I explain the difference between mini and full tummy tucks, with examples of how scar length relates to skin removal and overall results.
— Güray Yesiladali, MD

Many women feel the same way, especially after going through the incredible journey of pregnancy.
The good news is: a shorter incision may be possible, depending on how much loose skin you have and where it’s located. In some cases, surgeons can perform a mini tummy tuck, which involves a smaller incision and is ideal for those with mild to moderate skin laxity below the belly button. But if there’s significant loose skin or muscle separation, a full tummy tuck with a longer incision is often the best option to get truly transformative results.
It’s also important to remember: scars fade over time, and experienced surgeons place them low enough to be hidden by underwear or bikinis. Most patients say the confidence they gain from a flat, firm stomach is so worth it the scar becomes a small trade-off for a big transformation.

Your concern about the tummy tuck scar is a common one. Based on your pictures, your loose skin shown will only be improved by a tummy tuck. This requires an incision which we place low down beneath revealing clothing and try to keep it as short as we realistically can. After your loose muscles are tightened during the procedure and loose skin removed, we carefully close the incision with multiple layers of absorbable sutures to allow the incision to heal so it is as unnoticeable as possible. We have the patient start using scar cream or tape beginning 3 weeks postop to help the scar heal quickly and well. All of these things we do will not eliminate a scar, but by keeping the scar as low as possible, as short as possible and closed with multiple layers of stitches to keep the scar from spreading, a tummy tuck scar in our hands is usually a positive trade off for the markedly achieved contour it affords.

Thank you for your inquiry! By your photos, it looks like you would be a great candidate for an abdominoplasty to get rid of any excess skin. The only difference in a mini vs a full abdominoplasty is how long the incision is. A mini tummy tuck is going to have a smaller incision than a full tummy tuck. Muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and liposuction are all included with both a mini and a full tummy tuck. A mini incision would be about the same size as a c-section scar whereas a full incision would be hip to hip. I recommend scheduling a consult appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself so we can create a surgical plan that is best for you and your goals!

Due to your skin laxity above your umbilicus, a standard abdominoplasty would be best with a hip bone to hip bone incision. For perspective, a "mini-tummy tuck" incision is only a few inches shorter than a standard abdominoplasty incision.

Yes, in select cases, it is possible to perform a tummy tuck with a shorter incision — often referred to as a mini tummy tuck. However, whether you're a good candidate depends on where your excess skin and muscle laxity are located. Most of your excess skin is located below the umblicus; if the umblicus- sternum distance is suitable for a full tummy tuck it is better to have it. A short scar can provide limited abdominal contouring. However, it's important to note that for optimal reshaping, the incision must extend beyond the boundaries of all sagging tissue. In the long term, what truly matters is not the length of the incision but its placement and the extent of abdominal contouring achieved. Insufficient reshaping with a short incision can lead to disappointment. Tummy tuck incisions are designed to be thin and discreet, hidden within the lines of underwear or swimwear.

What is your definition of a long scar? Since there is wrinkling above your belly button, a full tummy tuck would be the most suitable option for you, and the resulting scar would most likely extend from hip to hip.

Thanks for your question and for sharing your photos. The trade-off for a tummy tuck is the scar, though we’ve never had a patient feel that it was not a good trade. Part of the art in plastic surgery is to make scars that are as hidden as possible, and the goal with a tummy tuck scar is for it to be a fine line that blends in well and sits below the bikini line.

We place Micropore tape for the first three weeks, then transition to a scar care regimen that includes silicone gel and massage twice a day. This is the best-supported strategy in the literature and has noticeable results on scar maturation.

An in-person assessment with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help determine the best approach for your goals and anatomy.

Thanks for your question! Like a tailor, we have to go where the loose material is. Your scar may be shorter than some, but I would still anticipate a full tummy tuck. That being said, we should be able to keep the scar nice and low to hide under a bikini or panty. Good luck!

From your photograph it seems you would need a longer scar. Trying to get excellent correction with your case with a short scar usually leads to dissatisfaction and sometimes even further surgery. The best advice could come from a plastic surgeon who examined you and can explain all of the different approaches and let you decide which is best for you.