Tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, is a body contouring procedure in which the flap of skin and tissue is removed typically through a hip-to-hip incision placed below the navel and as close as possible to the pubic region so the scar lies hidden by the underwear or swimwear.
To achieve good results with the least amount of visible scars, careful planning prior to surgery is crucial. During consultation, patients are often required to wear their “favorite” jeans, underwear, and swimwear so their plastic surgeons can visualize the most ideal incision pattern hidden from plain view.
While it is aesthetically pleasing to lower the incisions as close to the pubic line as possible, anatomically speaking this may not provide good results for some women, particularly those who need more contouring in their upper abdominal region.
In some cases, a seemingly high-riding scar appears even if the initial plan is to position it low enough to be covered by the underwear or low-rise jeans.
A scar revision to lower the horizontal scar is possible after a tummy tuck surgery, although the “right timing” is crucial to achieve good aesthetic results. The general rule is to wait at least six months so the soft tissue will have ample time to relax and recover from the surgical trauma.
While the scars may be revised, sometimes it could not be lowered enough to be covered by the jeans a patient typically wears.
Aside from lowering the scar, some patients also need a revision to correct the residual deformity, which is often caused by poor surgical planning. One effective way to avoid the problem, or at least reduce one’s risk, is to find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The residual deformity is primarily linked to inadequate tissue and fat removal, thus tummy tuck is now commonly performed in conjunction with liposuction in which the excess fat, usually in the flanks, is removed through a thin hollowed probe attached to a vacuum pump.
Some women may also need revision in the form of liposuction in their mon pubis to eliminate the unsightly bulges in the area that becomes more prominent when compared to the flat abdomen.
If tummy tuck is performed by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, the likelihood of needing a major revision in the future can be significantly reduced as long as the patient is able to maintain a healthy, stable weight throughout her life.