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Excess skin from extreme weight loss or gain or multiple pregnancies may have left your abdomen stretched and sagging. You might be unable to remove the "pouch" on your lower abdomen. Or, even if you follow a healthy diet and a strict exercise regimen, you still might not be able to get the taut, flat midsection you desire. If any of the above is the case, tummy tuck might be the ideal option for you.
During a tummy tuck procedure, excess skin is removed from a protruding abdomen and the abdominal muscles and remaining skin are tightened. In cases where fat deposits exist only in the region below the navel, a partial tummy tuck, a simpler, less-involved alternative to a full tummy tuck might be a better option. During the partial tummy tuck, an incision is made across the abdomen, excess fat and skin are trimmed away, and the flap is stitched back into place. No matter which procedure you choose, tummy tuck is an excellent way to flatten your tummy and add a boost of confidence.
Which Procedure is best for you?
There is a range of Tummy Tuck Procedures designed to treat the spectrum of patient needs. In consultation with a plastic surgeon, the choice of procedure will be made based on the your anatomic features and desired outcome. While all tummy tucks have in common that they tighten the abdominal skin, there are two key differences between the various procedures. The incision lengths vary depending on the amount of skin to be excised, and the abdominal muscles may be tightened if they have excess laxity. The length of the incision is determined by the amount of loose skin that is to be removed. The incision lengths vary from as short as six inches (Partial Tummy Tuck) to as long as the entire circumference of the waist (Body Lift). The most common incision length runs from hip to hip concealed beneath the bikini line. In addition to removing loose skin, localized fat deposits can also be removed during your tummy tuck. It is recommended, however, that you be as close as possible to your goal weight before having the procedure. Liposuction may be performed in combination with tummy tuck to remove additional fat around the abdomen or to treat other areas such as the hips and flanks.
- Full or Traditional Tummy Tuck - With the traditional tummy tuck, the abdominal skin is pulled so far downward that it is necessary to reposition the belly button to keep it centrally located. This results in a circular scar around the belly button and a dramatic improvement in abdominal contour. The traditional tummy tuck is the best solution for most people. For patients who require less skin excision, it may be possible to "float" the belly button. This means that the belly button will remain attached to the skin and will be pulled downward with the skin. The belly button, however, is not moved so far as to require a circular incision for repositioning. It is also possible to tighten the muscles of the upper and lower abdomen with this procedure. Floating the belly button may result in significantly improved abdominal contour, but the results are not as dramatic as with the traditional tummy tuck.
- Partial Tummy Tuck - A partial tummy tuck is a smaller procedure designed to improve the contour of the abdomen only below the belly button. It is best for patients who have subtle skin and fat excesses of the lower abdomen or unattractive scars from previous surgery (such as a C-section). It is possible to tighten the muscles, but only below the belly button and in smaller amounts than with the traditional tummy tuck. Only a small percentage of patients are good candidates for a partial tummy tuck.
Who is a candidate for a tummy tuck?
Patients who have excess skin and fat of the abdomen are candidates for a tummy tuck. Those who have laxity primarily below the umbilicus (belly button) are candidates for a partial-tummy tuck. Loose skin and fat above the belly button require a full tummy tuck to achieve optimal results. After pregnancy or substantial weight gain, the abdominal muscles are frequently stretched beyond their ability to recoil. In these cases abdominal exercises will not be effective at flattening the abdomen. Once the internal pressure distending the muscles is removed, as with weight loss, it is possible to tighten the muscles during the tummy tuck procedure. The combination of tightening muscles and excising excess skin and fat from the abdomen may result in dramatic improvements in abdominal contour.
Is it advisable to do multiple procedures at one time?
It is common to perform multiple procedures in one operation. Liposuction of surrounding areas will frequently achieve complementary changes in the patient's figure. Breast augmentation and facial surgery are also frequently performed at the same time. In a thorough consultation, the plastic surgeon will advise the patient whether single or staged operations would be appropriate.
Will the tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
Stretch marks below the belly button may be removed when the skin in that area is excised. Above the belly button it is frequently impossible to remove stretch marks. When the skin of the abdomen is tightened, however, the texture of the stretch marks usually improves and becomes less noticeable.
Where are the scar locations from a tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck results in a horizontal scar along the bikini line. The incision is designed so that it may be easily concealed with a bathing suit. Depending on a patient's preferences for bathing suit styles, the lateral incisions may be made higher or lower. The surgeon will discuss this with the patient when drawing the pre-operative markings. For the full tummy tuck procedure, there is also a circular scar around the belly button.
Is there a difference in the size of the scars between the partial and the full tummy tuck?
The amount of skin excised with the tummy tuck determines the length of the scar. For full tummy tucks, a large amount of skin is removed and the resulting scar is usually from hip to hip. The scar resulting from a partial tummy tuck may be one half that length. The size and location of the scar is planned with the patient based on their individual anatomy and desires.
Is it better to do a tummy tuck before or after pregnancy?
A tummy tuck is usually performed after child bearing has been completed. This is especially true if the patient plans on becoming pregnant in the near future. If pregnancy is planned only for the distant future, however, some women may be considered candidates for tummy tucks.
A patient who has lost large amounts of weight, for example, may have substantial overhanging skin of the lower abdomen. If she plans on pregnancy in only the distant future, the advantages of doing a tummy tuck now may outweigh the disadvantages. The surgeon may recommend doing a modified tummy tuck that addresses the lower abdomen only. This would also be the case for women with undesirable scarring on the lower abdomen from previous surgeries (i.e., cesarean section). A partial tummy tuck may sometimes be advisable even if future pregnancies are planned.
A patient may still have children after a tummy tuck, but the abdominal stretching during pregnancy may offset much of the benefit of the procedure. Further abdominal contouring procedures may be recommended after completing child bearing.
There are a large number of variables that affect a patient's candidacy for a tummy tuck. The decision to undergo the surgery should only be made after a thorough consultation with your plastic surgeon.
Is it better to lose weight before or after a tummy tuck?
The closer a patient is to their ideal weight, the tighter the abdomen can be made during a tummy tuck. Many patients will be inspired by their surgical improvements and lose additional weight through diet and exercise after surgery. If a patient needs to lose substantial amounts of weight, however, it is better to do it before surgery.
When is liposuction possible instead of a tummy tuck?
Liposuction (especially power-assisted liposuction) is an effective way of removing fat, but not skin. Patients are candidates for liposuction when their skin has adequate elasticity to tighten after removal of fat. Patients who are younger and who have localized deposits of fat are the best candidates.
Patients who have excess skin and fat on the abdomen are best treated with a tummy tuck. The longer incisions are required, but the improvements in tightening the skin and muscle may be dramatic.
During a tummy tuck, abdominal fat is removed in addition to skin excision and muscle tightening. Many patients will also benefit from liposuction of the surrounding areas to achieve their ideal figure. Liposuction of these areas is commonly performed at the same time as a tummy tuck.
How long does the tummy tuck operation take?
The tummy tuck operation is approximately two hours.
How long is the recovery from a tummy tuck?
Patients should plan to miss one to two weeks of work after a tummy tuck. An elastic compression garment is worn under clothing for several weeks following surgery. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for six weeks following surgery.
Is the recovery time different for full and partial tummy tuck?
A partial tummy tuck is a significantly smaller operation than a full tummy tuck, and the recovery is faster. Most patients will miss only one week of work. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for six weeks following surgery.
How common is the tummy tuck for men?
The tummy tuck is a common procedure for men. Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight frequently have excess skin that may be excised with a tummy tuck. This skin usually would not tighten with exercise or dieting alone. A tummy tuck can help these patients to achieve their ideal figure following a successful program of diet and exercise.
What is the main difference between a partial and full tummy tuck?
There are several important differences between a partial and a full tummy tuck. The majority of patients will benefit from the full tummy tuck. The full procedure tightens the skin of the upper and lower abdomen. The partial tightens only the skin below the belly button. The full procedure tightens all of the muscles of the upper and lower abdomen. The partial tightens only the muscles of the lower abdomen. The full procedure removes enough skin that it requires repositioning of the belly button with a circular scar resulting. The partial removes a smaller amount of skin and does not require repositioning of the belly button. The improvements made with a full tummy tuck are more dramatic than those made with the partial.
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