Tummy Tuck Scar

A tummy tuck is a surgery used to remove excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. The medical term for tummy tuck is an abdominoplasty. The main tummy tuck scar is from the horizontal incision in the lower portion of the abdomen.

Tummy tuck scars include a round scar around the belly button. When excess fat and skin is removed, the belly button location may be on skin that is to be removed or become misaligned from its natural position on the body. During the tummy tuck procedure, the belly button is often moved and repositioned.

The horizontal abdominoplasty scar is from hip bone to hip bone on the lower abdomen. The incision is made low, just above the pubic hair. Some horizontal scars from tummy tucks are not as long as others. It may depend on how much skin and fat needs to be removed.

Depending on the procedure performed, there may also be a vertical scar above the belly button. The scar might extend from the horizontal scar to the breast bone. Liposuction often is part of the abdominoplasty.

I've included some tummy tuck videos and pictures to show how different the tummy tuck scars can look. These tummy tuck pictures show how the abdominoplasty scars look during the recovery period.

 Pregnancy or being overweight can cause a weakening of the abdominal muscles. The surgeon may strengthen the abdominal muscles by suturing some of them together.

 A partial abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck, does not cause as much of a scar. Not as much skin and fat is removed during a partial abdominoplasty. This procedure is usually for women who have a bit of excess fat in the lower abdomen that they would like removed.

Some mini tummy tucks are done as endoscopic surgery which eliminates the need for a large incision. Unlike a traditional abdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck can be done with just local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia that makes the patient unconscious.

Drainage tubes may be placed in the abdomen which will be removed a few days following surgery. The drainage tubes may leave small circular scars below the horizontal incision.

The cosmetic surgeon will provide aftercare instructions for caring for the tummy tuck incisions. The surgeon will instruct the patient on how to care for the bandages during tummy tuck recovery.

Cosmetic surgeons often use absorbable sutures, sometimes called "dissolving stitches." However, some use sutures or staples that need to be removed. These are typically removed within two weeks after surgery to avoid scarring that can resemble railroad tracks along the incision.

After tummy tuck, the person may need to take off work for up to a month for recovery. The doctor is likely to advise the patient to abstain from strenuous activity for at least six weeks.

Please check out this informative article about tummy tucks. That website has more information about tummy tucks and liposuction.