49kg, 5'1, could I be left with uneven bulges if I have a TT with shorter scar? (Photos)

You are very perceptive in that when considering a shorter scar for an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck operation, this may leave leftover loose skin on the sides. The reason is that the skin and fat that is removed between the umbilicus and the pubic area is elliptical or roughly football-shaped where the most skin is excised from the midline (along the belly button area) and tapered toward the sides or hips. In an attempt to keep the horizontal scar as short as possible, there may be excess skin that, when sutured, "heaps" up causing a bulge or what is called in the business a "dog ear". It is not uncommon to do a small dog ear excision a few months later if it doesn't settle in which is a small compromise in that the horizontal length of the incision can be kept shorter. Of course, that varies with how much skin has to be taken in, the size of the patient, etc. but you hit the nail on the head as far as the concept goes. Other considerations are how low to place the scar; in my opinion, the lower the scar is placed safely, the more it can be hidden below the waistband of a reasonably sized two piece swimsuit or lingerie.

Hello and thank you for your question.
Based on your photos, you appear to have extra/loose skin above and below the belly button, along with some degree of muscle separation (diastasis). A tummy tuck would certainly offer you a transformation. Every surgeon has a different technique and set of criteria they evaluate in making their surgical decision. In my hands, a patient with loose skin above and below the belly button, with diastasis and with a high riding belly button is likely a good candidate for a full tummy tuck (incision from hip to hip) with muscle tightening, and I counsel them that there may be a small vertical incision at top midline of the horizontal incision, due to the native belly button being high and our goal of removing all of the skin between the belly button and the pubic incision. Your next best step is to seek another opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon with an in person examination. You need to be comfortable with the surgeon and the plan.

Thank you and good luck on your journey!

It looks like most of the skin laxity is central in your photos, so keeping the incision shorter than a fully tummy tuck actually might work in your favor here. The real difference is the degree of dissection and how much of a change you hope to see above the belly button. It sounds like your surgeon is suggesting what some of us might call an "extended mini TT." Small contour irregularities are always a risk after liposuction and/or body contouring surgery but from what I can tell this is not a bad plan.