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Abdominoplasty, also known as Tummy Tuck, removes loose hanging abdominal skin and tightens weakened abdominal wall muscles. Because even diligent diet and exercise cannot fix these problems, each year more than 80,000 American women and men undergo Tummy Tuck.Women and men who have a protruding belly, loose hanging abdominal skin and weak abdominal muscles are candidates for a full Tummy Tuck.
Pregnancy and rapid weight gain causes stretching of the abdominal skin as well as the underlying muscles. This results not only in visible stretch marks and loss skin but also in weakness of the abdominal wall. Therefore, despite losing weight many women still carry a “pooch” in their lower abdomen. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck addresses this problem by not only removing excess skin and fat, but also by tightening the abdominal muscles, therefore, reestablishing the integrity of the abdominal wall.
Mini-Abdominoplasty, also known as a Mini-Tummy Tuck, is reserved for those who have only a limited amount of loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen, or above the public bone. Also, Mini Tummy Tuck does not usually involve the tightening of abdominal muscles. Therefore, it is sometimes combined with Liposuction for patients with excessive fat, but limited looseness of the abdomen.
During Abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that extends from hip to hip along the lower pubic area. A skilled surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar is hidden under a bathing suit or by undergarments. The plastic surgeon then lifts the loose skin off of the abdominal wall, and tightens and repairs the loosened "rectus" muscles – the muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength – achieving the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.
The umbilicus or "belly button" is disconnected from the abdomen, and reattached after the loose skin is removed. A skilled plastic surgeon not only tightens the abdominal wall, but also pulls up and tightens the thighs and the buttocks – as we do at the Regency Surgery Center. Drains will be inserted into each side of your abdomen to remove excess fluid as it accumulates following surgery.
The result of Tummy Tuck is an abdomen that is tight and flat, a waist that is narrow and curvy and thighs and buttocks that are firmer. |
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Tummy Tuck is major surgery that can be performed only after any chronic health conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes; high blood pressure and arthritis have been optimized. Nonetheless, depending on the patient, it can be safely performed simultaneously with procedures such as Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation and Facial Rejuvenation procedures such as Eyelid Surgery.
In the following sections Dr. Younai reviews your treatment options for body contouring and tummy tuck, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of abdominoplasty available in our photo gallery.
Does a Tummy Tuck Get Rid of Stretch Marks?
There are no creams, or laser treatments that can erase stretch marks. However, because an Abdominoplasty removes most of the stretched out skin below the level of the navel, it does get rid of most of your stretch marks — at least those on the abdomen. |
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How Does a Tummy Tuck Differ From Liposuction?
One of the most common dilemmas for patients who are concerned with their abdomen is whether they would be better served with a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction.
While a Tummy Tuck or abdominoplasty is designed to remove loose abdominal skin and to tighten the belly, Liposuction is designed only to remove excess fat. A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty will not reduce the dress size in a woman of size 14 who has much fat around her abdomen. Likewise, a woman who has lost all her excess weight after pregnancy and is left with loose, hanging abdominal skin will not be able to tighten her abdomen or remove the stretch marks with Liposuction.
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