TYPES OF TUMMY TUCKS AND THEIR INCISIONS

TYPES OF TUMMY TUCKS AND THEIR INCISIONS

Are you struggling to lose those last few pounds and inches even after diet and exercise? Do you have excess skin around your midsection due to past pregnancies or major weight loss? Do you wish you had a flatter and more toned tummy? If so, then you may be a candidate for an abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure in which excess fat and skin is removed from the midsection and weakened abdominal muscles are tightened and restored to provide a smoother and firmer appearance.

If you’re considering a tummy tuck, then you should know that there are four main versions of the procedure. Each version has a different type of incision that enables the surgeon to target specific areas of the abdomen to get the desired results. As a plastic surgery office with extensive experience in performing tummy tucks, we wanted to give you explanations of the four types so that you are better informed when talking to your surgeon.

1. Mini-abdominoplasty: This procedure has the shortest incision, which extends just across the pubic area. It’s used when patients want to remove a small amount of extra abdominal skin, usually located below the belly button. Although the incision is short, surgeons can still restore and reshape some muscle with a mini-abdominoplasty.
2. Abdominoplasty: This is probably the procedure people first think of when they hear the term “tummy tuck.” During the surgery, the surgeon makes an incision that extends across the patient’s lower abdomen. The longer incision enables the surgeon to more easily remove a larger portion of excess skin and reshape and restore more of the abdominal muscles.
3. Extended abdominoplasty: As the name suggests, this type of tummy tuck extends the standard abdominoplasty to include the flanks, or what is more commonly referred to as “love handles.” Theincisionfor this procedure spans the entire length of the abdomen and extends to the back of the patient’s hips. It’s most appropriate when you have excess fat and skin along the side of your torso, below the ribcage, that you would like removed.
4. Lower body lift: Thisis the most extensive type of tummy tuck procedure, with an incision that extends around the entire circumference of the body like a belt. It’s usually reserved for patients who have a large amount of loose skin after a major weight loss (usually 75 pounds or more).

The boost in self-confidence that you can get from having any type of tummy tuck procedure can be beyond measure. Your stomach will be flatter, your clothes will fit better, and you may feel more comfortable in social and professional settings. Of course, each procedure comes with its own risks and recovery times as well. Talking to a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Fodero is your first step in deciding which type of tummy tuck is right for you.

Northeastern Plastic Surgery understands your desire for a beautiful, youthful looking body and facial appearance. We use the latest plastic surgery techniques to perform a variety of surgical procedures. Dr. Fodero and the staff are very friendly, helpful, and available to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.