Is It Okay To Get a Tattoo Over Your Tummy Tuck Scar?  

I’m Dr. David Stoker, a board-certified plastic surgeon and tummy tuck expert in Los Angeles. I’ve answered just about every question imaginable about this procedure, including this one: “Is it okay to get a tattoo over your tummy tuck scar?”

It’s a really good question, and the answer is usually yes, but I would ask you to consult with your plastic surgeon first. I’ve seen a decent number of tattoos on post-operative results; maybe one to two percent of patients might consider doing something like that.

When Should You Get a Tummy Tuck Tattoo?

I think it’s prudent to be patient and wait. If you rush to get a tattoo before you’re fully healed, it might interfere with that healing in some way. Our blog has an earlier post about tummy tuck recovery milestones if you’d like more information about what to expect.

Getting a tattoo on your tummy tuck scar can also complicate things if you want to do an additional procedure down the road, remove more skin, or do a circumferential body lift that can impact the placement (or even presence) of the tattoo.

In my case, my patients are like my artwork, and I want them to enjoy the most beautiful, natural-looking results possible. While it’s their body and they can do with it what they choose, I would recommend they consult with their surgeon first so they can make an informed decision and get the best long-term results.

Can You Get a Tattoo Removed During a Tummy Tuck?

This is another question that comes up from time to time. And the answer is yes, sometimes a surgeon can make the incisions so that the skin removal includes tattooed skin. However, your tattoo has to be in the right location for this to work.

This can be a good thing for some patients, who no longer want an abdominal tattoo. And for others, although they may be sad about losing their body art, the loss of excess skin and stretch marks is usually a pretty good tradeoff.

Tummy Tuck Scars: What Are My Options?

The tummy tuck scar is placed low on the abdomen and can be easily concealed by most underwear and swimwear bottoms. As a plastic surgeon who specializes in minimizing the evidence of surgery, I take painstaking care to ensure that your tummy tuck scar will be as low, thin, and discreet as possible. You can see for yourself in my before-and-after photo gallery.

While scarring is a natural consequence of surgery, your incision line(s) will continue to fade, flatten, and mature as time passes, so being patient and giving yourself adequate time to heal can help you achieve the best cosmetic options.

I also offer patients a variety of scar therapy options to suit their needs, including silicone sheets, laser therapy, and steroid injections. During your initial recovery period, I also provide patients with detailed instructions to help them optimize their healing and look after their incisions for the best results.

In Conclusion

Sometimes, tattoos intersect with your tummy tuck results, and while it may not cause harm, you may want to discuss your decision with your board-certified plastic surgeon first. If you want to know more about tattoos and tummy tucks, or any other plastic surgery concern, contact us online, or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule a consultation.