With a Tummy Tuck will stretch marks above the belly button be further "stretched" or "moved" to a lower position? (Photo)

Question

Will stretch marks above the belly button end up looking longer (while remaining in the same spot) than originally due to the skin being brought down, or will they end up being below the new location of the belly button? I have seen before/after tt photos where stretch marks above the belly button look like they were moved to a lower region without being lengthened or stretched too much, however I have also seen photos where they look longer and more exaggerated.

Frank Lista, MD · Answer

With a tummy tuck the abdominal skin is drawn
down and excess skin removed.  Your
stretch marks are not removed per say but moved to the lower abdomen and will be
less obvious.  The incision is made just
above the pubic area will enable you to wear a bathing suit bottom and not have
the scar show.  Be sure to seek a Board
Certified surgeon with elite credentials and who has done hundreds of these
procedures per year.  Be direct with your questions and be clear on
what type of result you can expect.  Ask
to view before and after photos of the surgeon’s work.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Yes, your description sounds accurate.Find
 a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each year, has great reviews, and has great before and after 
pictures.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

In most instances all of the stretch marks from below the belly button are removed. You may be one of those individuals where a large portion of or all of the stretch marks above the belly button could possibly be removed as well. This can only be a intra operative decision. If this is the case, then you will have very little if any remaining stretch marks. If there are remaining stretch marks they will be in the lowest area of the abdomen--- down by your pubic hair line. Also, with the stretching of the skin the remaining stretch marks will appear much less obvious.

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

You already have a beautiful curvy figure, so the Tummy Tuck and muscle repair will only improve beautifully your nice body shape. Stretch marks above navel will be in the lower abdomen ( below the navel) the stretch marks look worst only while they are swollen, the first 3-4 month postop. They they will fade. Be encouraged. You will be loving your results dr. Cardenas

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

Generally, stretch marks above the belly button will not be removed with a tummy tuck.  The stretch marks above the belly button will be repositioned to below the new location of the belly button.  The different appearances of remaining stretch marks after a tummy tuck that you have seen may be due to multiple reasons.  Before and after pictures aren't always taken at the same time period after surgery, and the appearance can change with time.  Also, the amount of stretch marks present above the belly button prior to surgery can affect the long term appearance after the procedure.  Based on the one picture you have provided, it appears that you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck and should get great results.

Michael Stefan, MD · Answer

Both occur.It is a sure recipe for disaster if you attempt an abdominoplasty (also
known as a tummy tuck) for the removal of stretch marks. After pregnancy, the stretched skin of
the abdomen is damaged skin. A
tummy tuck cannot help that.

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

The amount of skin and stretch marks that are removed during an abdominoplasty depends on the amount of skin laxity, skin excess and how the tummy tuck is designed.  The plastic surgeon should be able to estimate the amount of skin to be excised during the consultation.

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

The
loose skin and lower stretch marks can be removed with a tummy tuck
and the upper stretch marks brought to a lower position where they will be less
obvious. It is usually possible to have a low scar line which is covered by a
bathing suit bottom.Keep in mind that following the advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who gives you an exact answer based on limited 2 dimensional photos and without examining you, physically feeling the tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing the pros and cons of each operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (CSAPS)   that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss
your concerns with that surgeon in person.Robert
Singer, M.D., FACSLa
Jolla, California

Adam Saad, MD · Answer

The stretch marks from above the belly button will be moved below the belly button by a tummy tuck.  It is near impossible to get rid of those because we need to leave some skin behind in order to close.  Due to the stretch put on the skin they can often look longer in the after photo.  Make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to have a full evaluation.  Good luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture. Based on the picture, you may be an excellent candidate for tummy tuck surgery. Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable, has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her, is capable of arranging enough recovery time, does not smoke and who has reached a long-term stable weight.  Keep in mind, that you will be best off seeking specific answers to questions in front of a full-length mirror during the consultation process. You will find that the stretch marks above the umbilicus will most likely end up being low down by the abdominoplasty incision line. Of course, the higher the abdominoplasty incision line, the greater the number of stretch marks that can be removed above the umbilicus.I would suggest that you select your plastic surgeon carefully. Asked to see lots of examples of his/her work and communicative goals carefully as well. Best wishes.

With a Tummy Tuck will stretch marks above the belly button be further "stretched" or "moved" to a lower position? (Photo)

Answers (14)

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