Tummy tuck with old appendix removal scar? (photo)

Thank you for your inquiry! An in-person consultation would allow me to determine the laxity of the area to see if the scar would be able to be removed. We love to meet with you to discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgery to help you reach your goals.

Thank you for your question. You should be able to have a tummy tuck even if you have an old appendectomy scar. In many cases, the scar from the appendectomy can be removed entirely during the tummy tuck procedure. However, since your scar seems positioned higher than where excisions typically occur, it may not be entirely removed. The extent of this depends on the amount of loose skin present during a physical examination. That said, even if the scar isn’t entirely excised, the tummy tuck will tighten the skin, flattening the appearance of the scar and enhancing your overall body contour. In certain cases, scar might complicate tummy tucks do to blood supply, so an in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon will help determine the best approach for you.

Dear thriving,

I appreciate your pictures. Previous scars can be a problem when it relates to circulation and overall healing. Based on the position of your old appendectomy scar, I do not believe this would be an issue for you. It's best to seek in person consultation from several board certified Plastic Surgeon to get the most accurate information and recommendations.

Best of luck!

Sincerely,

Earl Stephenson Junior, MD, DDS, MBA

ESJ Aesthetics.

Hello
The area with scarring will remain outside the dissection zone when a Lipoabdominoplasty is performed. Therefore, the surgery can be carried out without any issues. However, in a Classic Tummy Tuck, since the dissection area will be very close to the scar, there may be a higher likelihood of complications.

Dear Thriving792749,

it is possible to get tummy tuck with old appendix removal scar. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. 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

It looks like your appendix scar is 5-6 cm too high to be removed by a tummy tuck skin excision pattern. Having said that, the appendix scar area will likely flatten as the skin is pulled tight. Might I also suggest another option . . . Liposuction with skin excision and umbilical transposition is an excellent option with much less downtime and risk. You also benefit from fat removal which does not happen with a formal tummy tuck. This will not address any diastasis as the muscles are not tightened, but this is likely not the primary concern for you. Something to consider. Thank you for sharing.

Hmmm.. that is an odd place for an appendix scar. I would recommend an in-person visit to make that decision as incisions can be planned carefully to lower that level of a scar but I don't think it would remove a scar that high and off to the side. Best Wishes!!

Hi Thriving792749, and thank you for your question regarding a tummy tuck with an old appendectomy scar. I appreciate you sharing your medical history and photo.

Yes, you can absolutely have a tummy tuck despite your old appendectomy scar. In fact, during the tummy tuck procedure, the scar from your appendectomy can typically be completely removed. The lower abdominal incision used in a tummy tuck is positioned in a way that allows for the excision of old scars, including appendectomy scars, as part of the process of removing excess skin.

A tummy tuck involves removing excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, tightening the rectus abdominis muscles (muscle plication) to correct diastasis recti, and repositioning the belly button for a more natural appearance. Additionally, the pubic area is often lifted and refined for better overall contour.

The removal of your appendectomy scar is usually a straightforward aspect of the procedure. Most board-certified plastic surgeons have extensive experience in incorporating the removal of old surgical scars into tummy tucks, leaving you with a cleaner, smoother result.

As you consider this surgery, I recommend consulting with multiple plastic surgeons to find someone whose expertise and approach make you feel confident and comfortable. Don’t hesitate to travel out of state if needed to find the right surgeon for your goals.

I hope this helps clarify your options and reassures you about the possibility of removing your appendectomy scar during a tummy tuck. Best of luck!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

The ability to remove scars or stretch marks depends on their position and the degree of loose abdominal skin. Based on your pictures, I would say that you have a moderate degree of loose skin and the appendix scar is fairly high and lateral (to the side). In my opinion, it would be very difficult to remove the scar because of that. It would most likely get pulled significantly lower and a little bit more towards the middle, which would make it less conspicuous but the upper incision which determines the skin that is to be removed. Looks as though it would fall probably about an inch below the scar.

thank you for your question. Short answer, yes this can be performed. Scars from previous surgeries, (like yours, open cholecystecomies , Elap for example), have been of concern when a tummy tuck is considered. The concerns are related to blood supply and potential wound healing problems. During my residency at Yale we published an article addressing this issue . It can be done, but not every surgeon may feel comfortable with it. We found our technique of a lipoabdominoplasty with muscle tightening to be often a great fit for cases like yours. Sometimes liposuction of the back adds to the outcome, as does pubic contouring and a pubic lift. You'll find the info in my link. I hope this helps.