Is the Shape of my Tummy Tuck Incision Normal?

In rare cases, sometimes the vertical incision is employed.  This is usually done because there was a pre-existing condition requiring a vertical incision and a scar was there originally, or there is so much lateral lax skin the surgeon felt the only way to pull that much skin tight was that approach.

The incision and resulting scar looks to be a Regnault or W type.  It is argued to have properties to take tension off the center of the wound, and provide good vascularization where it is most needed.  The soft tissue is stretched in the abdominoplasty operation, with the most stretch in the center.  Various incisions have been devised over the years to attempt to give the best results.  This would be seen by most as an incision type well known to plastic surgeons.  Best to discuss any questions you have with your surgeon.

Tummy tuck scar placement and design needs to be discussed with the patient prior to surgery so you won't end up with surprises. The incision you have is a Regnault or W incision, more popular in the 70's. If you are very tight, this gets accentuated if the pubic area is not fixed to the pubic bone. Usually when the pubic area advances upward due to increased tension, it creates a gentle curve, not as sharp as yours. I do not use this incision, because it is unnatural and brings pubic hair whereit does' t belong. I personally keep my suprapubic incision low (6cm from the confluence of the labia majora superiorly) and laterally carry the incision toward the pelvic bone. In the last few years, our incisions tend to be lower to bring it in lign with the current fashion.