Sometimes women ask me if they can still have a tummy tuck with previous scars from other older abdominal surgeries.  For scars below the belly button, this skin is usually removed, and so it if often much better.  Of course there is a new scar, but it can often be hidden under underwear.

This individual is 3 months out from a tummy tuck and a breast augmentation (also known as a Mommy Makeover, which sometimes includes liposuction and can fall under the larger umbrella of body contouring).  She obviously had lower abdominal existing scars.  These are now hidden under her underwear.  

The scar that DOES cause concern is a large horizontal scar above the belly button.  This is because it may interrupt the blood supply to the skin after a tummy tuck.

The classic one we see is from an open cholecystectomy.  (This is less common with the wide introduction of laparoscopy.)  Vertical scars may limit the result but are usually OK for healing.