Ask Dr. Jones
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as an Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to remove excess skin and fat and tighten weakened or separated muscles to create a firm and sleek abdominal profile.
The shape and length of the incision will vary by the size of the patient and how much excess skin, tissue and stretch marks need to be addressed. If the patient is fairly large, the incision will be longer and generally extend from hip to hip to remove as much skin and fat as possible. For smaller patients, a shorter incision can be used to repair the abdominal wall and flatten the belly.
In many cases, limited incision length may result in limited improvement to the overall results of the tummy tuck. If a smaller incision is used on a larger patient, there will be an abundance of fat rolls, or dog ears left behind after surgery. This is probably not the look patients would opt for after agreeing to have a tummy tuck!
Most patients don’t even complain about their incision size due to their amazing postoperative results. A tummy tuck can literally remove pounds of sagging skin and fat in an instant. While results do vary, we’ve seen patients go from a pre-operative size 18 to a post-operative size 12.
These incision scars are usually placed low enough to be hidden under bathing suits, underwear, and other garments. Compression garments are worn during the recovery period to reduce overall swelling and to help the incision heal. Over time, this scar will fade and generally disappears within a few years!
