Is the Shape of my Tummy Tuck Incision Normal?

Your tummy tuck scar has a more classical "W" shape that is one option and is entirely normal. During surgery the skin around your navel was stretched downward as far as possible. For patients with less laxity, the skin will not stretch down as far as it can with others. The options are to have a peaked middle part of the scar like you have, move the entire scar up to the level of the peak or keep the scar low and have a short vertical scar in the mid-line to close the transposed umbilical "donor" site. In many cases it is possible to discuss this plan in advance but in the OR the plans occasionally need to change to achieve a safe closure of your incisions. Many of my patients would prefer to have the entire scar lower and horizontal even if this means having a vertical scar in the lower abdomen.

Your shape is excellent and once your scar matures you should be very satisfied with your outcome.

Dr. Mosher

The use of a W-type scar in a tummy tuck is to improve the likelihood of wound healing. If too much tension is placed on the incision, it is common to see breakdown of the wound and worsening of the scar appearance. By leaving slightly more skin, this design is thought to lessen these risks. It appears that in your case, you had a previous midline incision from another surgery. This previous scar puts you at higher risk of wound healing complications and therefore using the W-type closure is a good way to mitigate some of this risk.