Will a Tummy Tuck & Lipo Ruin My Tattoos? (Photo)

Question

I did some research on the tummy tuck and lipo procedure and was curious as to any alternative methods. The most common one that I found was the underbelly and having to stretch the skin downwards; doing this would result in my stomach tattoo stretching down wards and a belly button in the middle of my tattoo. Would pulling the skin upwards be a possibility? Or is there another option that is best when avoiding the distortion or change in my tattoo? Thank you!

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. A tummy tuck will likely distort your tattoos. It is not standard procedure to pull the skin upwards. I hope this helps.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.

In this regard, I recommend you a Tummy Tuck to get a flat abdomen and waist and back Liposculpture, getting better curves especially in the waist, improving your body contour.

Kind regards,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The TT will certainly stretch the tattoo. Perhaps you could consult with a reputable tattoo artist prior to your TT and lipo to consider options for revision after you have healed from the surgery. Having the stretch marks removed will certainly enhance the abdomen.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You are an excellent candidate  for a tummy tuck. I have performed them on women with tattoos. If need be a tattoo artist can tidy things up or camouflage any issues with the tatoo at a later time.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear NoobBoob,
based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. There is a chance that tummy tuck will affect your tattoo. 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

Giancarlo McEvenue, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hello,
I think the benefits of the Tummy Tuck including: removing excess fat in abdomen, removing excess skin (including much of the stretch marks you have) , muscle repair far outweight the potential negative effects on your tattoo. In fact most patients with abdominal tattoos that I have done a TT on look much better because the abdomen looks much more aesthetically pleasing.SincerelyDr.G

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

With a full tummy tuck your tattoo will be stretched downward and your umbilicus will be located within the tattooed area.  The procedure however would remove many of your stretch marks and give you a flatter, tighter tummy.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

You are correct in that the abdominal skin will be pulled done and the umbilicus will likely be in the middle of your tattoo with a tummy tuck. On the other hand, all of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen will be gone. Sounds like a good trade-off to me, but you have to make the decision for what's most important to you.

An alternative and also excellent procedure would be a mini-TT with the Renuvion and liposuction. The liposuction will remove the excess fat in your abdomen and flanks, and the Renuvion will tighten the skin quite well. However, you will not lose the above mentioned stretch marks.

Thank you for your question and photos and good luck.

Earl E. Ferguson III, MD, FACS · Answer

You are correct that your tattoo will be pulled closer to her waist and that the belly button will come out through the tattoo.  Whether or not those changes are worth the improvement in your abdominal contour is up to you.  Advancing the skin upward is described, but is not advised in your scenario.  It is not as effective in tightening the skin and has less favorable scars associated with it.  I would strongly recommend a standard abdominoplasty with tattoo touchup as indicated.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the question and while you are clearly a candidate for an abdominoplasty, it will by definition distort your tattoo.

Dr Corbin

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