After significant changes in your figure (such as pregnancy or major weight loss), it can be difficult to regain your body’s shape, and even a healthy lifestyle may not be enough to restore your slender midsection. Even if you have lost belly fat, you may still have a decrease in skin elasticity, causing your skin to sag. When your best efforts have yielded no results in terms of the appearance of your midsection, a tummy tuck can be an effective solution. A tummy tuck can tighten sagging skin and restore subtle tummy contours with multiple procedure options. During your consultation for tummy tuck surgery, your plastic surgeon will examine the condition of your skin and tissue to determine which of the following tummy tuck procedures is best suited to your needs.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck targets the area of the tummy beneath the navel. Your plastic surgeon will make a single incision at the bikini line, which will be easily hidden beneath a swimsuit. As he smooths and adjusts the skin, he will stretch it downward. This type of tummy tuck is appropriate if you also need muscle tightening to correct a minor pooch. Women who want to correct physical changes caused by pregnancy are excellent candidates for a mini tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck
Because it focuses on the entire midsection, this is the most common type of tummy tuck procedure. Your surgeon will make two incisions, the first in the lower abdomen and the second around the navel. Though scarring is more visible, these incision sites allow your surgeon to remove sagging skin from both the upper and lower abdomen. He will also tighten your abdominal muscles to give you a more toned midsection. Many patients benefit from this type of tummy tuck, including post-pregnancy women who have lost a lot of weight and are unhappy with how their bodies have changed due to genetics or aging.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is most commonly performed on patients who require significant skin removal. This usually happens after significant weight loss. Your surgeon will make a single incision that will wrap around your abdomen and reach your hips. With such a large incision, he is able to tighten the skin evenly across the tummy. It may leave a larger scar than other procedures, which may be difficult to conceal under intimate clothing.
Which One is Right For You?
Every person is unique. Even when patients have the same goal in mind, such as achieving a flat, toned abdomen, the approach a surgeon takes will vary depending on factors such as how much skin and fat is removed and where, the quality of the skin, the individual’s body type, and whether muscle repair is required.
While understanding the various types of tummy tucks can help you decide what you need, the best way to know which technique is right for you is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience performing abdominoplasty surgery. Schedule your consultation today to meet with our body contouring specialist, discuss your goals, and receive a customized treatment plan.
