Concerns About Tummy Tuck for Stretch Marks

Thanks for the question -
Abdominoplasty is an effective way to remove stretch mark scars, tighten abdominal muscles, remove excess skin typical after weight loss or pregnancy and improve your abdominal contour.
These benefits come at the cost of a scar. For full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) there is a scar around your umbilicus and from hip to hip. Typically this scar is low enough to be hidden in your panty line.
Unfortunately, other treatments of treating stretch marks tend to not be very effective.
I hope this helps!

Thank you for your question and for including a photo.  Stretch marks are a very common problem for patients post-pregnancy and unfortunately they are quite hard to treat.  There are some lasers on the market that have proven to be somewhat successful in the treatment of stretch marks, but factors such as skin color, pigmentation within the stretch marks and skin elasticity will all affect the success of these treatments.  To remove the extra skin of your abdomen, you would require an abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck procedure.  The good news is that an abdominoplasty is an effective surgical procedure that would tighten up your abdominal wall muscles, remove excess skin and also remove a majority of your stretch marks that are below your belly button.  I do not believe that liposuction will provide you with any improvement of your stretch marks and while it may shrink you down by several inches and improve your body contour, you will still have extra skin with stretch marks.  I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is well-experienced in abdominoplasty procedures.  They can conduct a physical exam to assess the laxity of your abdominal wall and skin in addition to your current stretch marks and from this determine the best course of action.  I hope you find this helpful and I wish you the best!

A tummy tuck typically removes the stretch marks from the umbilicus down to the pubis. The remaining stretch marks are lowered significantly. A circumferential body lift removes more on the sides. I like to say that these procedures provide a severe stretch mark reduction, and many times, that is a good thing. 

Dear Sherlykeyrose,

Thank you for sharing your concerns about stretch marks and considering a tummy tuck procedure. It's understandable that you're seeking solutions for the stretch marks that can impact your confidence and self-image.

It's important to understand that while a tummy tuck can address excess skin and improve abdominal contours, it may not completely eliminate stretch marks, especially those located above the belly button. During a tummy tuck, the skin is tightened and excess skin is removed, which can lead to the elongation of existing stretch marks. Stretch marks located above the belly button are typically more challenging to remove completely.

However, stretch marks located below the belly button, especially within the area of skin that is excised during the tummy tuck procedure, may be effectively removed along with the excess skin. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the expected outcomes of the procedure and provide realistic expectations regarding the improvement of your stretch marks.

As for undergoing liposuction in certain areas, while it can help contour specific areas of the body by removing localized fat deposits, it may not significantly impact the appearance of stretch marks. Liposuction is primarily focused on fat removal rather than addressing skin concerns like stretch marks.

I recommend scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess your specific concerns, evaluate your candidacy for a tummy tuck, and discuss the potential outcomes of the procedure based on your unique anatomy and goals. Your surgeon can also provide you with before and after photos of patients with similar concerns to help you visualize possible results.

Best wishes on your journey toward achieving your desired aesthetic goals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen
Plastic Surgeon

You are an ideal candidate for  a Bikini Tummy Tuck . As you have read already the tummy tuck will remove about 85% of your stretch marks (from right above the belly button to about where a c-section scar would be. The liposculpture will shape your waistline .

Key issues:

1- The remaining stretch marks will look better when the skin is tightened.

2- The overall improvement in your shape is worth the surgery irrespective of some stretch marks that remain.

3- Liposuction alone will probably leave you dissatisfied, and not recruit any more skin for your tummy tuck. This will only leave the loose skin looser.

4- Look for a surgeon that specializes in your body type. Have him show you pictures of similar patients.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can significantly improve the appearance of your abdomen, especially if you're dealing with excess skin and stretch marks from pregnancy or weight changes.
Stretch Marks Below the Belly Button: If your stretch marks are primarily below the belly button, there's a good chance they will be removed during the procedure. This is because a tummy tuck involves removing excess skin from the lower abdomen, which often includes the area where stretch marks are located.
Stretch Marks Above the Belly Button: Stretch marks above the belly button are more challenging. While some may be improved as the skin is stretched and pulled tighter, it's unlikely that they will be completely removed, as they are typically not part of the skin that gets excised. However, these marks might be moved downward, making them less noticeable.
Liposuction: Liposuction can help contour areas of excess fat, but it will not significantly affect stretch marks. While it may help to improve overall body shape, it is not a solution for stretch marks.
Consulting with a plastic surgeon is crucial to discuss your specific concerns and understand what can be realistically achieved with a tummy tuck.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

A full tummy tuck should take out all excess skin from lower abdomen and most of the time all skin unto belly button can be taken out. You should get good results with a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction on certain areas. Please discuss with your surgeon if he can advise how much of excess skin is he/she planning to take out to give you a realistic expectation from the surgery .

Thank you for your question. Tummy tuck can remove stretch mark but you need to know will be residual. I would suggest to be treated by board certificated plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.
Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

A tummy tuck could help with stretch marks but it doesn't guarantee that all of them will be gone, you will have a  flatter tummy and your muscles will be tighter improving the overall appearance of your abdomen.  Remember that you will have a scar around your belly button and on your lower abdomen.

Stretch marks are permanent scars and will not be erased by pulling the skin tighter in an abdominoplasty.  The only way stretch marks will be "treated" is by excising the involved skin.  Fortunately, this is exactly what is done in an abdominoplasty.  So, if your stretch marks are located within the area of skin that will be excised, then they will be gone.  Otherwise, not, but un-excised stretch marks may be moved to a lower location on your abdomen where they are not so visible.

Unfortunately despite much hype, there are no easy solutions for stretch marks.The best way to address them is to remove them with the loose skin that is typically discarded during a tummy tuck. If your stretch marks are primarily low down below your belly button, they will be removed. Stretch marks that are above your belly button are typically not removed although they may appear somewhat better when the skin is stretched out.