Tummy tuck shelf - is my scar too high? Can this and my hips be fixed? (Photos)

Question

Have 4 children and had a tummy tuck over two years ago. It has left a noticeable shelf that can be seen through clothing and feel worse in tight clothes than before. It also left me extremely hollow hips. Is my scar too high and that is why I have a shelf ? Can I even fix my hips to have a more normal shape ? In clothes I bulge above the scar and above the hollow hips. What could I do to get a more normal figure back ? Thanks

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. Yes, your scar is too high among other poorly designed surgery signs which gave you a suboptimal result. If you look at your preoperative markings, the lower incision is placed without pulling the pubic area up (it is sagging) and with the surgery it was pulled up leading to the high scar and pubic hair in the lower abdomen where it was not beforehand. You did not seem to have any liposuction for contouring or minimal at best. On your side view, you have lots of back fat, fat over the hips and hip depressions. Basically, you had a standard tummy tuck which is suboptimal by today's standards and aesthetic expectations. If you were my patient, I would do VASER liposuction 360 degrees, fat graft the hip depressions and shape the buttocks and lower your abdominoplasty scar centrally and revise that "hole punch" belly button. See a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. Good luck.
See attached reference. No fat grafting was done in this case.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

You had an extended abdominoplasty and,  as a result, a very long scar that can not be covered with every underwear. Aggressive liposuction of abdomen and flanks and scar revision would be my suggestion to improve current condition. Good luck.

Tummy tuck shelf - is my scar too high? Can this and my hips be fixed? (Photos)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Tummy tuck shelf - is my scar too high? Can this and my hips be fixed? (Photos)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.