Woman considering her options for a tummy tuck.
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Tummy tuck surgery is an increasingly popular procedure pursued by patients who have difficulty melting away excess fat around the lower belly after weight loss or childbirth. Genetics, pregnancy, and major weight fluctuations can also cause skin sagging around the abdomen that cannot be tightened using diet or exercise.
Do I Have Multiple Tummy Tuck Options?
Different tummy tuck options cater to the varying needs of patients. While there are many variations of the tummy tuck, every tummy tuck will flatten the midsection by removing skin and fat.
With so many tummy tuck techniques to choose from, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you.
Do You Have a Small Lower Belly Pooch?
With a mini tummy tuck, women and men with a little extra fullness in the abdomen can realize smooth and flat abdominal contours.
This method is best for patients who would like to treat muscle laxity but do not have significant excess skin. This less-invasive, smaller-incision tummy tuck is great for correcting the appearance of a “pooch.”
Are You Looking for Improvement After Having Children?
A traditional tummy tuck is usually recommended for women with a moderate amount of excess skin and fat in the abdomen. This excess may develop after childbirth or weight loss, but is limited to the upper and lower abdomen.
The traditional technique uses one incision that runs along the lower pubic area and another incision around the navel. This method is useful for treating weak or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) and misshapen or mispositioned navels.
Did You Lose Some Weight?
An extended tummy tuck is best suited for people who have moderate to significant skin folds around the abdomen and hips after weight loss or multiple pregnancies. This technique is beneficial for weight-loss patients who would like to highlight their new contours.
For an extended tummy tuck, a longer incision is made along the lower abdominal area that travels around the hips.
Have You Lost a Massive Amount of Weight?
The circumferential body lift is the most comprehensive form of the tummy tuck. Using this method, excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen, hips, and lower back, creating 360-degree enhancement of the midsection.
This method is reserved for patients who require significant correction. A circumferential body lift can help to correct diastasis recti and remove significantly hanging skin after weight loss, such as that experienced after gastric bypass surgery.
How Will I Know Which Tummy Tuck Is Best for Me?
The appropriate tummy tuck option will depend on your goals, prior health conditions, and level of correction needed. Since your body type plays a role in how your fat is distributed, this will also help determine the correct techniques and how your contours can be enhanced.
If you are still wondering which tummy tuck method would work best for you, schedule a consultation with your surgeon to learn more about your options.
Your consultation is the ideal time to share your desires and concerns. Your surgeon can use this information to determine whether you are the right candidate for a tummy tuck and advise you on which tummy tuck technique will help you best achieve your goals.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in tummy tuck surgery and would like to learn more about which option may be best for you, please contact Dr. Andreasen by calling 909-291-4900 or by filling out our online contact form to set up a consultation.
