Bikini Skar: A Novel Approach to Extended Lipoabdominoplasty for Minimally Visible Scars.

[BACKGROUND] Abdominoplasty is a widely performed procedure to improve abdominal contour, particularly in patients with significant weight loss or postpartum changes. Despite advances in technique, scar visibility and asymmetry remain common concerns. The Bikini Skar technique was developed to optimize scar placement using vector-based planning, aiming to improve aesthetic outcomes and conceal scars within minimal clothing.

[METHODS] We conducted a retrospective study of 20 female patients who underwent extended lipoabdominoplasty using the Bikini Skar technique between 2023 and 2024. Inclusion criteria included a body mass index of 30 kg/m or less and excess infraumbilical skin or diastasis. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, or venous disorders were excluded. Pre- and postoperative photographs were taken at 72 hours, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year. Patient satisfaction was measured using the BODY-Q scale. All patients provided informed consent for the anonymized use of data.

[RESULTS] The average fat removal was 4500 mL. At 1-year follow-up, 95% of patients reported high satisfaction with scar position, body contour, and gluteal appearance. Complications were minor and occurred in 25% of cases, including seromas, hypertrophic scarring, and wound dehiscence, all of which resolved without major intervention.

[CONCLUSIONS] The Bikini Skar technique is a safe, reproducible alternative to traditional abdominoplasty that improves scar concealment and overall patient satisfaction. By applying cross-vector tension strategies, it achieves aesthetically pleasing results while reducing common complications related to scar migration and lateral skin redundancy.