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Mommy Makeover - Incisions and Scars

Mommy Makeover

What type of plastic surgery post-pregnancy incisions are there?

Your incisions will vary based on the combination of post-pregnancy procedures you get.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The incisions stretch from hip to hip just above the pubic area. This will leave a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line. Its length and visibility vary by patient. See tummy tuck for more information.

Tummy tuck incision
The incision is usually across the underwear line and around the belly button.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast lift incisions vary because there are different types of breast lifts to address different levels of drooping, each with different scarring patterns. Your surgeon can conceal some incision lines in natural breast contours, but others will be visible on the breast surface. See breast lift for more information.

1. “Anchor” incision

Breast Lift anchor incision
An “anchor” incision is around the areola and then vertically down and under the breast crease.

2. “Keyhole” incision

Breast lift keyhole incision
A “keyhole” incision (also known as a “lollipop lift”) is around the areola and then vertically down to the breast crease.

3. “Donut” incision

Breast Lift donut incision
A “donut” incision is around the areola.

Breast Reduction

There are at least four different incision patterns. Your pattern will depend on the size of your breasts, how much your breasts sag, and where your nipple-areola complex is positioned on your breast. You may get one of the breast lift incisions listed above, or if you need a more extensive reduction, get the incision pattern shown below. See breast reduction for more information.

Breast reduction incision
A major breast reduction incision pattern goes around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease with two incisions, then along the crease below the breast following the breast's natural contours and defining the new location for the nipple. Once your surgeon removes breast tissue, fat, and skin, your surgeon brings the skin together to tighten and reshape the breast.

Breast Augmentation

Your breast augmentation incision can be made in one of four places. Your incisions will depend on the particular procedure, your anatomy, and the size of the implant. See breast augmentation for more information.

1. Inframammary incision

Inframammary incision
An inframammary incision is underneath the breast.

2. Periareolar incision

Periareolar incision
A periareolar incision is around the lower edge of the areola.

3. Transaxillary incision

Transaxillary incision
A transaxillary incision is near the armpit, where the arm meets the chest area.

4. Transumbilical incision

This incision is in the belly button, but is rare and only done with saline implants.

Liposuction

Incisions are very small. Your surgeon will attempt to place them in hidden areas. See liposuction for more information.

What scars will I have after my post-pregnancy procedures?

Your surgeon will make every effort to make incisions and scars as small and inconspicuous as possible. Board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons can skillfully hide incisions in body creases whenever possible. Although incision lines are permanent, in most cases, they will fade and significantly improve over time.

Your incision healing and resulting scars will depend on the surgical technique, the steps you take to prevent infection (nutrition, not smoking, hydrating), and any underlying medical conditions or genetic tendencies.