What does the scar from a tummy tuck look like?

The scar remaining from a tummy tuck can vary depending on whether the patient received a "standard" also known as "full" tummy tuck or a "mini" tummy tuck. A full tummy tuck is required after massive weight loss which leaves the patient with a lot of excess skin. This also can occur after having children through pregnancy. A mini tummy tuck is more appropriate for those individuals who have a small pooch about their pubic region and under the belly button.

With a full tummy tuck, imagine the shape of an eyeball while in socket (pointed oval). That is the pattern of the removed skin in this procedure. Typically that will occur above the pubic region and up to the belly button.

With a mini tummy tuck, simply take the above shape and split it in half. This is because less skin is needed for removal.

Both of these procedures result with the Surgeon connecting the once further apart portions of skin into a line or a crescent. While many experience some ability to hide their scar after a mini tummy tuck (within the bikini line), most full tucks leave a scar which is higher near the belly button.

Examples of both can be seen in most plastic surgeons before and after photo galleries.