Why Are Tummy Tuck Incisions So High?

Before I perform an abdominoplasty, I mark the top line of the patient's undergarment or swimsuit to try and approximate the incision with the clothes they normally wear. The incision location is also dictated by the patients body and underlying muscles and bone structure. There is usually a cure to the incision to match the natural curvature of the body. I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your procedure

Thank you for your question regarding the placement of tummy tuck incisions. Tummy tuck incisions can be tailored based on your aesthetic goals and what you prefer for concealing the scar. The traditional incision tends to be a bit higher on the abdomen and curves up toward the hips. This is because the surgeon aims to remove the maximum amount of excess skin while also contouring the abdominal area for the best overall results.

However, you’re correct that incision placement can vary depending on what you prefer. If you want to wear low-rise underwear, jeans, or bikini bottoms, a lower incision can be made. These days, many people prefer high-waisted bikinis and pants, which naturally conceal the scar from a higher incision. That’s why many surgeons plan incisions to align with modern clothing styles.

If a lower incision is more important to you, it’s essential to communicate this with your plastic surgeon. The trade-off with a lower incision is that it may slightly limit how much skin can be removed, but a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon will work with you to find the best balance between scar placement and aesthetic goals.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Good question! The location of the incision is adjustable. Most surgeons make the incision just above the hair bearing area of the vulva, and trace across to the hips. Most underwear will cover this scar. If in doubt, bring your favored style of underwear as a guide. One thing to keep in mind, depending on the surgeon, some do not anchor the scar to the fascia. If the scar is not anchored, the tension of the closure can cause the scar to drift upward, even if it was initially placed quite low. I would ask the surgeon during your consult. Also, look at their before and after photos! Have a great dayMatthew C Camp MD

A low incision can give you the result you want, Ask your surgeon what type of incision you need to get beforehand to see what results you can expect from the procedure.

Incisions often follow the popular styles of the time. Although you criticize the look of the 90's. That was the result of the "french cut" bikini styles of the 80's. Prior to that, very low incisions were used In the 60's because of the "hip huggers" (similar to today's low rise jeans. Incssions were so low they actually ran onto the thighs.

Your question is an excellent one-- I think you can get a very nice result with a low incision, and the key is to ask your surgeon in advance where he is planning on placing your incision. I usually ask patients how they normally wear their bathing suit or underwear, so that I can plan to place the incision in a way that it can be hidden. I think the trend is to place the incision lower and flatter, and you just need to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page. Look at their before and after photos as well as this will give you a good idea of what you can expect for the final result.
Good luck,
Dr. S

Some incisions are high, and the reason for this is the way the surgery was planned.
Patients with pubic or groin skin laxity may have a bikini-line incision marked, but that incision will later "drift" upwards as the lower, lax tissues stretch.
I strive to keep my incisions low. I think patients desire this, especially with the low-rise fashions today. If the site of the old belly button will not reach down to the incision, a small vertical scar will result. I give patients a choice here.
I also like to keep the incision low around the hips, but depending on the anatomy of your pelvic and hip bones this is not always as easy. I also prefer keeping the incision off the actual hip bones as it can be uncomfortable in this area and there can be healing problems.

It is possible to make lower incisions with full tummy tucks, but then the patient usually gets a vertical scar, typically just above the main incision itself. The scar itself can be placed in any of many patterns, depending on the patient's wishes.
The reason for this is that when a full tummy tuck is done, lots of skin and fat are removed, from above the belly button (this enables tightening of the upper abdominal skin) as far down as the surgeon can go. There comes a point where you just can't take more off. The final incision then becomes an "average" of the upper incision and the lower incision. In patients with a lot of loose skin, ironically, the incision can be lower than with ladies with very little loose skin.
The low incision is a good compromise for many patients. They can then wear lower jeans, but do have to contend with a small vertical scar. For many patients, that is a welcome option.
In some respects, having more choices increases the complexity of the decisions to be made. However, it is actually refreshing that women nowadays have many more options than just the mini or the full tummy tuck.

Thank you for the good question. There are many factors involved when it comes to the exact "scarring" you see on different photographs. Sometimes, there is a difference because every plastic surgeon may have a different approach to placement of incision lines and exactly how the operation is performed. On the other hand, scars may differ because of different patient body types and because patients scar differently. Again, there are many variables involved.My best suggestion: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon who can demonstrate significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Before/after photographs are helpful in this regard. You may also be able to meet/see/talk to previous patients who have had surgery with your plastic surgeon. Then, communicate your concerns/personal goals carefully as well. I find that marking patients the day before surgery, as much as possible, with the help of the patient's planned swimming suit or undergarment, helps when it comes to placement of incisions…You may find the attached link, dedicated to tummy tuck surgery concerns, helpful to you as you learn more. Thank you again for the good question.

Thank you for your post. It is not common for surgeons to anchor the lower incision to the fascia or covering of the abdominal muscles to keep the scar low, however, I do use this technique and agree with it. All the tension on the incision is from above, not below, and thus the scar tends to move toward the area of maximal tension (towards the ribs/bellybutton). This moves the scar higher than desired. I like to keep my scars very low, and feel that anchoring the scar helps accomplish this. The following photo is an example of this.