Will a C-section Scar Affect My Tummy Tuck Surgery?
When people in the Minneapolis area want great advice about their plastic surgery options, they know that our practice can offer them the information they need. We always speak honestly and openly with our patients. We find this helps people feel confident about their surgical choices and happier with the overall results if they choose to undergo surgery.
We field many questions about tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) for body contouring. Some questions that come up a lot involve C-section scars and tummy tuck surgery. "Can I undergo a tummy tuck after a C-section?" is one. "Can a tummy tuck be performed using my old C-section scar?" is another. Let's cover the basics of the procedure and answer both of these questions.
About Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy tuck surgery is a type of body contouring procedure that is performed in order to reduce drooping, sagging, and stretchmarks in the abdominal area. While the sides/flanks and upper stomach are addressed during a tummy tuck, the procedure is most effective at treating the lower abdomen, which is where most of the sagging skin is located.
Through select incisions along the lower abdomen, plastic surgeons can remove excess skin and tissue, adjust the underlying structures of the abdomen, and significantly tighten the patient's skin.
Ideal Candidates for Tummy Tuck Surgery
The best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are people who have experienced a major amount of weight loss and have subsequent problems with loose skin, sagging skin, and so forth. They should be in good overall health and not suffer from medical problems that would make a body contouring surgery a risk to wellness.
Can I Undergo a Tummy Tuck After I've Had a C-section?
Yes.
You can still undergo tummy tuck surgery even if you have an existing Cesarean section incision. On the note of incisions...
The Traditional Incision Method for Tummy Tuck Surgery
During a traditional tummy tuck surgery, there are three incisions that are made:
- A lateral incision along the lower abdomen that spans from hipbone to hipbone
- A circular incision around the belly button
- A vertical incision along the center of the lower abdomen connecting the previous two incisions
You'll note that these three incisions form something akin to an anchor shape. This anchor-shaped pattern allows plastic surgeons to most effectively revise the contour of the stomach.
Can Incisions Be Made Using an Existing C-section Scar?
Again, the answer is yes.
If you have had a c-section, a plastic surgeon can use that existing scar to perform a tummy tuck surgery. Additional incisions will have to be made, of course, and the length of the C-section scar may need to be extended simply given the nature of the procedure. It's important that patients keep this fact in mind.
Why Using the C-section Scar May Be Most Ideal
By using an existing C-section scar, a plastic surgeon can reduce the amount of new scarring that occurs as a result of the surgery. This is an ideal approach to the procedure, yielding better results overall. Patients are typically satisfied by the use of old incision sites for new cosmetic procedures. Thankfully these scars fade with time.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?
The best way to find out if a tummy tuck is right for you is to stop by the practice for a consultation. We will be more than happy to go over these matters in greater detail so you can make a smart choice about your body contouring options.
Learn More About Advanced Body Contouring
For more information about tummy tuck surgery and how it can help you achieve a more pleasing body contour and figure, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic plastic surgeon today. Our team will work with you to help achieve your aesthetic goals.
