Swimsuit Styles Following Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery

After a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure, some patients find it hard to conceal their incision scar when wearing swimsuits. This is especially the case for patients who undergo more complex procedures such as Fleur-de-Lis, full and extended abdominoplasty, or a belt lipectomy. This doesn’t mean you can’t still find swimsuit styles that compliment your newly contoured shape and allow your confidence to soar! Today, I’ll share the best swimsuit styles based on your tummy tuck procedure. These swimsuit styles after abdominoplasty surgery ensure your incision scar is concealed, allowing you to enjoy every moment at the beach, pool party, or event.

How Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Scarring Affects Swimming Fashion

Depending on the type of tummy tuck procedure you undergo, you will be left with a scar (or two) across your abdomen. If you have an FDL, hernia repair, or belly button repositioning, however, you will also have a vertical scar and one around the belly button. The scar, which might be visible when wearing undergarments, could also be visible when wearing certain swimwear.

For instance, a mini tummy tuck requires a smaller horizontal incision to address minimal skin laxity. Being your surgeon, I will make this incision along your bikini line, above your pubic area. This will make it easy to conceal the abdominoplasty scar when wearing bathing suits.

The situation differs for more invasive procedures, such as Fleur-de-lis (FDL) and extended abdominoplasty. These procedures require longer and sometimes vertical incisions to address excess skin laxity. This means they’ll leave a more pronounced scar.

The good news is that various swimming fashion options are available to conceal such pronounced scars. During our consultation, I will guide and illustrate the ideal scar placement options based on your procedure, fashion and your overall lifestyle.

Swimsuit Styles; Which One Is Best for Me?

Just like there is no one-size-fits-all tummy tuck option, preferred bathing suit styles vary from person-to-person as well. Your ideal swimsuit depends on the procedure you have undergone, the extent of the incision wound, and, of course, your personal style.

Here are ten swimsuit styles to consider after your  abdominoplasty procedure:

Bikini Body Suits

This swimwear fashion encompasses bodysuits with minimal coverage on the abdominal and chest area. Bikini swimsuits come in different styles, including a top and bottom connected with adjustable straps looped through the back like body shapers.

Such options are ideal for patients with less invasive procedures, such as a mini tummy tuck, and with a low-placed scar. If you’ve undergone an FDL, full, or extended abdominoplasty, there are better swimsuit styles that would suit you better below.

One-Piece Swimsuits

One-piece swimsuits are the simplest and go-to option for many of my abdominoplasty patients. They are available in different sizes and styles to suit all body types and ages. These classic swimwear fashions include options such as cross-back, V-neck, and high-neck. They also vary in torso length, with some offering more coverage options.

I recommend one-piece swimsuits if you’ve undergone full, extended, or FDL. Most options offer full abdominal area coverage, making it easier to conceal your tummy tuck scar.

One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit

Here is a good option offering full coverage of the abdominal area. One-shoulder, one-piece swimsuits come in different styles to suit your fashion needs. If you are a fashion mogul, you can make strategic cutouts to complement your style.

On the contrary, you can opt for a one-shoulder, one-piece swimsuit featuring torso silhouettes and other longer attributes.

Regardless of your scar placement, I recommend one-shoulder, one-piece swimwear to any abdominoplasty patient.

One-Shoulder Two-Piece Swimsuit

The one-shoulder, two-piece swimsuit is similar to the one-piece we have discussed above; the only difference is the top and bottom are separate and covers specific areas. This trendy swimwear style adds additional flair and complements your style.

I recommend this option for patients with a mini tummy tuck scar with a low-lying abdominoplasty scar. Please note that one-shoulder, two-piece swimsuits do not offer enough abdominal coverage.

Tankinis

Here is another best shape wear I recommend to my patients. Tankini swimsuits feature all trending swimwear styles, including complete abdominal coverage of a one-piece and the convenience of a two-piece. This versatile option allows women to mix and match different tops and bottoms creatively.

Most tankinis provide enough abdominal coverage, making them ideal for any abdominoplasty patient profile. However, you should be careful when selecting two-piece tankinis because they might expose your abdominoplasty incision scar.

High-Waisted Two-Piece Swimsuit

Here is vintage swimwear still loved and adored by modern fashion designers. These high-waisted swimsuits come in various styles and features, such as adjustable straps and comfortable fabric, to suit everyone’s preferences.

Most high-waist two-piece swimsuits tend to have a lighter bottom than its top which help to sufficiently cover the tummy area. You’ll also notice the available adjustable straps make it efficient to make tighter or broader fits.

High-waist two-piece swimsuits offer excellent abdominal cover. It is a good option if you’ve undergone a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck since the raised bottom makes it easier to conceal your scar.

Long Sleeve Swimsuits

Long-sleeve swimsuits are the best option for people with sensitive skin or those who wish to protect their skin from Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Most options are two-piece, with the bottom offering more or complete abdominal area coverage.

You can add long-sleeve swimsuits to your shopping list if you’ve undergone extensive abdominoplasty. I recommend this swimwear style to patients because it has adjustable straps and back that can better conceal scars, especially those extending from the hip bone to the back.

While long-sleeve bikinis might seem ideal for everyone, they have drawbacks. For instance, they can get heavy when wet, causing some drag on your back ruining your all day comfort.

String Bikinis

String bikinis are a trendy and fashionable swimsuit style that offers minimal to no abdominal coverage making them less ideal for both full and medium control of your scar. They feature small fabrics connected by strings at the panty line and nipple area.

I do not recommend string bikinis for my abdominoplasty patients unless you have a less visible scar resulting from a mini abdominoplasty. Another study by the National Library of Medicine shows that, “[a]n abdominoplasty scar that is higher than the panty level is a cosmetic concern for women who may not be able to wear a bikini because the scar is exposed, or they are forced to wear bikinis that cover half or more of the lower abdomen. Upward tension on the perineum can displace pubic hair onto the lower abdomen. This is especially of concern in modern culture, which puts a premium on a toned and exposed abdomen. Ironically, the lipoabdominoplasty method, which can leave a high scar, has been popularised in Brazil, a country that is not known for modest bikinis.”

Shapewear Swimsuits

Shapewear underwear swimsuits feature similar designs and styles as most fashion trends available in this list. Their main distinguishing factor is the quality of the material used. Brands such as Spanx and Skims utilise high-quality and unique materials that shape your body, creating a trimmer appearance, and boosting your confidence.

The different designs and styles make women’s shapewear swimsuits ideal for any tummy control patient. You can also find compressing swimwear options which I highly recommend.

French Cut Bikinis

French-cut bikinis, one-piece swimsuits with strategically placed cutouts that allow you to redesign your swimsuit and determine which areas to conceal and which to emphasize, are a great option for fashionistas with an hourglass figure undergoing a tummy tuck procedure and a good overall piece for any special event. 

Tummy Tuck Scar Visibility

All tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedures leave a scar along the incision line. An NLM study shows that “[t]he main drawback of abdominoplasty is the scar, which typically runs from hip to hip. Many women considering this procedure are concerned about the appearance of such a long scar. Studies have shown that if the scar is located inferiorly, within the panty line, scar dissatisfaction is low (4.3%). 59 Flexed positioning in surgery and deep fascial anchoring sutures assist in keeping the scar low and avoiding upward scar migration.”

Factors that affect wound healing and create a risk of developing wide and unpleasing scars include;

Too Much Tension

When the abdominoplasty incision is under excess tension, it might result in a widened scar. The tension could be caused by poor abdominoplasty techniques, inadequate incision layer closure, or the patient exercising too soon after the procedure.

During the surgery, I’ll use modern and effective surgical techniques to help minimise these risks. I’ll also provide a detailed post-surgery guide to ensure no excess tension is applied to the delicate abdominal area.

Not Preserving the Blood Supply During Surgery

Good surgical techniques ensure maximum blood flow to the unaffected tissues and organs around the abdomen. Inadequate or improper blood supply during surgery prolongs wound healing, resulting in a more prominent scar. Compromised blood flow interrupts blood and essential nutrients transportation to abdominal tissues, prolonging wound healing.

Placing The Scar Too High

Incorrect tummy tuck scar placement limits your swimsuit style options, making it even more challenging to conceal an abdominoplasty scar. I ensure we identify the optimal scar placement for your ideal procedure, helping us avoid positioning the scar too high, and you can feel confident when wearing your favorite bikini.

The Consultation

During our consultation, we will cover how your abdominoplasty procedure affects your swimsuit style and options. 

What to Bring

Swimsuits and Panties

Our session will be more productive if you bring along some of your favourite swimwear and undergarments to determine where they sit on your body.  This will give me insight into your fashion style and help me to determine the best placement for your scar as I plan your surgery.

Though I will do my best to ensure that your scar will be concealed beneath your preferred swimsuit styles, this is not always possible, as it depends on the type of procedure that best suits your needs, goals, and concerns.  Most patients agree that obtaining the best results overall outweighs the ability to wear certain swimsuit styles, however, this decision is yours and we will get into that discussion during the consultation. 

Medical history

Another crucial requirement to bring to our consultation is your medical history. Your medical history is essential in creating your patient profile to determine your ideal abdominoplasty procedure.

Moving The Scar in The Future

As you heal, your tummy tuck scar begins to fade. You might notice the incision scar becoming less pronounced and visible from afar. However, this can only happen if you allow the tummy tuck wound to heal correctly.

Various advanced treatment options are available to help reduce the visibility of your scar. Treatments such as laser surgery, injections, and skin ointments effectively reduce abdominoplasty scar visibility.

I will discuss this in detail during our consultation after making your overall health assessment.

Dr. BB’s Final Thoughts

Abdominoplasty scars have limited many tummy tuck patients’ fashion options, especially swimsuits. This doesn’t have to be your case. The best and recommended approach is explaining and exploring the ideal tummy tuck options and their potential abdominal scarring extent.

I invite you to book a consultation to discuss this, and I’ll guide you on the best swimsuit options based on your abdominoplasty procedure.

FAQs

Use this section to learn more about swimsuit styles following tummy tuck surgery.

Does a tummy tuck swimwear colour and patterns matter?

Yes. Patterns and colour play a huge role in determining your overall swimsuit appearance. One effective strategy I advise my patients is to use bold colours and prints to draw attention away from the incision wound area.

Where can I shop for post abdominoplasty swimsuits?

You can shop at your favourite or preferred retailers. During our consultation, I will provide a detailed guide to help you shop for post-tummy tuck swimwear. This means you can choose swimsuits from your favourite brand, provided they meet the criteria specified in this guide.

What is the best tummy tuck swimsuit?

There is no ideal swimsuit style or design. Your best option depends on various factors, such as the abdominoplasty procedure you have undergone. However, most tummy tuck patients choose one-piece swimsuits because of the full or more abdominal coverage. Ideally, you can wear shapewear of your choice as long as it covers your tummy tuck scar.

How soon can I wear my swimsuit after a tummy tuck?

This depends on the abdominoplasty procedure. I recommend waiting at least three months before you can begin shopping for post-tummy tuck swimwear. Your priority should be giving the incision wound enough time to heal.

References

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