What Are the Different Types of Tummy Tucks?
Tummy tucks are incredibly effective (and popular) cosmetic surgeries designed to remove excess skin and flab and leave you with a slimmer, flatter, and more contoured midsection. But when it comes to tummy tucks, you have several options. In this blog, we explore the different types of tummy tucks to help you be better prepared for your consultation with your tummy tuck surgeon.
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People choose to get a tummy tuck for a wide variety of reasons—from increasing their confidence in their appearance to improving their physical health. Whatever your reason for seeking tummy tuck surgery, there are several options. In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of tummy tuck techniques and their advantages so you can be prepared with questions or concerns at your initial consultation.
Reasons to Get a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgery primarily designed to eliminate excess skin and flab on your stomach. Most people undergo this procedure after significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, while others choose a tummy tuck to address physical discomfort or loss of function.
But once you decide that a tummy tuck is in your future, how do you decide which type best suits your needs? Scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in tummy tucks is the first step. They will examine you at your appointment and discuss your concerns and desired results. They will then review your tummy tuck options and create a customized treatment plan to meet your needs.
Full Tummy Tuck
What most people are referring to when they talk about an abdominoplasty is a full tummy tuck. It involves an incision that extends across your lower stomach just above your pubic area. After the excess skin is removed, another incision is made around your belly button to reposition it. Your surgeon will trim away excess skin and repair your abdominal muscles. They will then pull the skin taut and reposition your belly button, creating a flatter, smoother contour. A full tummy tuck addresses both physical and aesthetic issues and is suitable for those with the following concerns:
Excess Skin on the Abdomen
If you’ve lost significant weight due to lifestyle changes or pregnancy, chances are you have a substantial amount of excess skin around your middle. This can cause you to be self-conscious about your appearance, as the extra skin makes you look heavier than you are, affecting both your confidence and how your clothing fits.
A full tummy tuck changes that, eliminating sagging skin and giving you a flatter, more contoured abdomen.
Stretch Marks and Pockets of Fat
Whether you have been through pregnancy or lost a substantial amount of weight, you may have developed stretch marks. Once you lose weight, those stretch marks can become more visible, causing grooves in your drooping abdominal skin and impacting your confidence in situations where your stomach is visible. Additionally, since weight loss is never something you can control, you may still have pesky pockets of fat on your tummy that refuse to budge despite your best efforts.
A full tummy tuck addresses these issues, smoothing your skin and reducing the visibility of stretch marks, as well as removing those unsightly fatty bulges.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is a condition where your abdominal muscles separate along the vertical midline of your stomach. It is caused by pressure on your abdominal wall and can result from several factors. The most common cause is pregnancy, though significant weight gain and even weightlifting or doing ab exercises incorrectly can be the culprit. Diastasis recti can cause you to have a tummy “pooch” that won’t go away, as well as weakness or pain in your core (including your back and pelvic areas) and problems with bladder control.
A full tummy tuck is the only way to repair diastasis recti, reconnecting the muscles and restoring function to your abdominal area.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck only addresses excess skin on the lower abdomen in the area underneath your belly button. It uses a horizontal incision across the lower belly, just above the pubic area, similar to the one in a full tummy tuck, but shorter. Your surgeon removes the excess skin and tightens your lower abdominal muscles if needed. The skin is then pulled taut, and the incision is sutured. A mini tummy tuck is suitable for people with the following concerns:
- People with a smaller amount of excess skin and flab, primarily underneath their belly button
- People who have minor lower abdominal muscle separation only, as the surgery does not address the upper abs
- People who are looking for a less invasive tummy tuck procedure
A mini tummy tuck is an ideal option for those looking for a minor correction in their abdominal contour, with less scarring and a shorter recovery time than a full tummy tuck.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is similar to a full tummy tuck, but it addresses excess skin across your entire midsection, including your flanks (your upper abdominal area that extends to your back) and your lower back. It is performed using the same incision location as a full tummy tuck, but the incision is longer, extending across your hips to your lower back. Your surgeon will separate the skin from the abdominal muscles, repairing and tightening them. Excess skin and flab are removed from the entire area, and your belly button is repositioned. Your skin is then pulled taut and sutured into place.
An extended tummy tuck is suitable for people with considerable amounts of sagging excess skin on their abdomen, flanks, and lower back due to significant weight loss. It is also an excellent option for people who wish for more comprehensive body contouring of their entire midsection.
Other Tummy Tuck Options
The above tummy tuck techniques are the most popular options. However, depending on your needs and desired results, you may choose a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty or panniculectomy. Research is essential when considering a tummy tuck, as you want to be well-informed about your options and find a board-certified plastic surgeon who is trained and experienced in the specific type of tummy tuck you want.
Learn More About Tummy Tucks in San Diego
At Del Mar Plastic Surgery, we’re committed to ensuring that our patients receive the safest care with the most effective, beautiful results. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Pollack is particularly skilled in body contouring procedures and will guide you through the entire tummy tuck process from consultation to recovery. To schedule an appointment to discover what type of tummy tuck is right for you, call today at 858-450-9100 or complete the online contact form.