Which Tummy Tuck is Right for YOU?

There are many areas of our body that can cause us to feel self-conscious. For many people, especially those that have gone through pregnancy and childbirth, or those that have lost a great deal of weight, it is their abdominal area that they dislike the most. This is because after the skin has stretched a great deal to accommodate a growing baby or excess fat, it doesn’t always snap back into a smooth, tight position. Sometimes patients are left with stubborn pockets of fat that just won’t go. If you have excess skin and fat on your stomach that won’t seem to shift no matter how much you watch what you eat or exercise, then you may be considering a popular cosmetic surgery procedure known as a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is an invasive form of cosmetic surgery that is used to improve the shape and appearance of the abdominal area. Exactly what changes will take place will depend on your individual requirements, but the procedure usually involves the removal of excess fat and loose skin, as well as tightening the underlying abdominal muscles so that your stomach is flatter and smoother.

However, many people don’t realize that there are actually several different types of a tummy tuck to choose from. Our experienced and knowledgeable cosmetic surgery team will be able to assess your individual requirements to help you find the right type of tummy tuck to transform your figure. In the meantime, here is what you need to know about the different options available to you.

The Full Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck tends to be what most people think will be involved when they choose an abdominoplasty procedure. It is recommended for patients who have weakened abdominal muscles and/or excessive skin around the middle part of their body and can flatten and tone the areas both above and below the belly button.

The procedure itself involves a horizontal incision being made between the hipbones, and you are likely to also have an incision made around your belly button so that this can be repositioned after your tummy tuck procedure. When you choose a full tummy tuck, the abdominal muscles are accessed and surgically tightened before the skin is pulled tight across the stomach and secured in place. Any excess can be removed and discarded. In some instances, patients may also have a small amount of liposuction to remove stubborn areas of fat. Once your surgeon is happy with the result, your belly button will be repositioned higher on your abdomen, completing your new shape.

The Mini Tummy Tuck

Some patients are generally happy with the upper part of their abdomen but have a stubborn pouch of fat or skin in the area between their belly button and pubis. It is possible to have this part of your body improved using a procedure known as a mini tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck involves an incision being made along what is often known as the bikini line – the horizontal line that runs between the hip bones and would usually just about be covered by the top of a pair of bikini bottoms.

Again, the underlying muscles are tightened, and excess skin is removed. Liposuction can be used to remove any fatty deposits that would otherwise affect the cosmetic outcome of the procedure. The belly button is left in position and since there is less trauma to the abdominal area, patients who opt for a mini tummy tuck usually enjoy an expedited recovery.

The Extended Tummy Tuck

Sometimes it isn’t just the abdomen that is affected by excess skin and stubborn fat. In some patients, this problem will extend over their hips and the sides of the lower part of the back, creating what is sometimes known as a muffin top. Patients with this issue may be good candidates for an extended tummy tuck which combines a conventional full tummy tuck procedure with a larger incision that enables surgeons to remove excess fat and skin from the hips and lower back too. Again, liposuction can be used to improve the esthetic result of the procedure. However, since the incisions and the overall procedure are more extensive, the recovery period for an extended tummy tuck can take longer than for a full abdominoplasty alone.

If you would like more information on any of the tummy tuck procedures listed above, or if you would like to schedule a confidential consultation with our discreet cosmetic surgery team, please contact Miami Aesthetic in Miami, FL today by calling (305) 851-3020.