On 25
Jun
2020
Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure for both men and women to restore their body and get a smoother, more toned appearance in their midsection. Patients typically seek out this popular body contouring option to address sagging, loose skin and muscle weakness that may be a result of weight changes, pregnancy, or the effects of aging.
Oftentimes, patients may already be doing all the right things to take care of themselves by exercising and eating a nutritious diet. Yet, simply living a healthy lifestyle and doing tons of crunches in the gym cannot resolve excess skin or internal muscle weakness. So, many patients turn to plastic surgery for help achieving the aesthetic results they want.
While the cosmetic change can certainly be dramatic, having a tummy tuck can yield other benefits too. Many patients report that it’s easier for them to exercise, they’re even more motivated to take care of themselves, and best of all, they feel much more confident – even while wearing a swimsuit!
You may, however, be surprised to learn that a tummy tuck is not a “one size fits all” procedure. Just as there are many different body types, so are there several different ways for a plastic surgeon to approach an abdominoplasty procedure. Following is an overview of four techniques a plastic surgeon may use to perform a tummy tuck and the advantages of each.
Conventional Tummy Tuck
A traditional abdominoplasty involves removing an oval- or ellipse-shaped wedge of loose skin underneath the belly button to smooth and flatten the area. This technique commonly results in an incision line that runs from hip to hip about an inch or so below the navel. The scar can generally be hidden beneath most underwear or a swimsuit.
In addition to removing excess skin, a plastic surgeon also may tighten the abdominal muscles during a conventional tummy tuck procedure. These muscles may have become stretched out during pregnancy to accommodate a growing baby, or weakened over time due to weight gain. While performing a tummy tuck, many plastic surgeons will tighten these muscles, much like an internal corset, to further enhance the cosmetic result.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Some patients are candidates for a “mini” tummy tuck procedure to remove excess skin and smooth the abdomen. The advantage to this approach is the incision line can be shorter and lower, resulting in what we call a “lingerie scar” that can be more easily hidden – even under a string bikini. However, a mini tummy tuck typically does not address muscle weakness, especially higher up on the abdominal wall. In addition, most patients are not candidates for this procedure, because the excess skin to be removed must be localized under the belly button only.
Hybrid Abdominoplasty
The most commonly performed abdominoplasty technique at our practice is known as a hybrid abdominoplasty. With this technique our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is able to combine the benefits of the conventional and mini tummy tuck to achieve optimal results and give patients the best of both worlds – a low, short incision line with full muscle tightening.
Instead of making an elliptical incision, our hybrid abdominoplasty involves making a pentagon-shaped incision. This approach ensures the scar is low and enables us to achieve some lateral tightening while minimizing the width of the incision. The resulting “lingerie” scar is easily hidden underneath even the tiniest bikinis and undergarments, and will fade beautifully over time.
By creating a “central tunnel,” in essence, via the pentagonal incision, our surgeon can expose the musculature and tighten up the abdomen all the way up to the rib cage or the xiphoid process – the lower end of the sternum or breastbone. Our team approaches this step in a manner that preserves as much vascularity as possible, which means patients heal faster, have better-looking scars, and have a much lower risk of complications. Additionally, the technique makes it possible to perform liposuction for some patients who will benefit from additional body sculpting.
Patients often ask, “What happens to my belly button?” While performing his hybrid abdominoplasty procedure, your surgeon actually anchors the new belly button or umbilicus to the abdominal wall tightly. This approach creates some hooding on the top of the belly button and a flap below, so the scar is hidden. Once healed, the belly button is an "innie" instead of an "outie," which most patients prefer.
While our surgeon is able to achieve the “lingerie” scar for most patients who opt for the hybrid abdominoplasty, the extent of minimizing the scar is very dependent on the individual patient and their goals. If a patient wants to address excess skin or fat laterally, for example, we can customize the procedure and extend the incision slightly to achieve even more smoothing and full abdominal tightening. Because the hybrid abdominoplasty is such a flexible approach and can be fully customized for patients, while helping them achieve the most aesthetically pleasing outcomes, this option is well suited for most tummy tuck candidates.
Fleur-De-Lis
For patients who have a great deal of horizontal excess skin that extends around the abdomen to the back, flanks, and buttocks, the fleur-de-lis may be the best approach. Neither a conventional nor a hybrid abdominoplasty addresses horizontal skin laxity. So, for patients who have extensive abdominal wall laxity in the horizontal dimension, other procedures would shrink down their core but leave them tremendous horizontal excess. The fleur-de-lis adds in the vertical component, allowing our surgeon to tighten the sides and back, creating an hourglass shape. The vertical incision line heals well, and patients find it worth the tradeoff to be able to achieve a significantly tightened, tailored waistline. This option is particularly appropriate for many patients who have experienced massive weight loss.
Which Type of Tummy Tuck is Best for You?
Every body is unique. So, even when patients have the same goal – to achieve a flat, toned abdomen, for example – the approach a surgeon takes will vary depending on factors including how much skin and fat is removed and from where, the quality of the skin, the individual’s body type, and whether muscle repair is required. While understanding the different types of tummy tuck can guide your thinking about what you might need, the best way to determine 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 get a treatment plan designed especially for you.
