Reverse abdominoplasty
The reverse abdominoplasty is an excellent operation for the right candidate.
It is not as common as a traditional abdominoplasty because the majority of people have the upper abdominal skin excess corrected by the standard abdominoplasty.
People with excess skin above the belly button after abdominoplasty or isolated upper abdominal skin excess naturally benefit from this procedure.
Concerns about the operation come from the potential need to extend the scar completely across the chest in the space between the breasts.
This is the only location where the scar is visible as the remainder of the scar is positioned beneath the breast. This area over the breast bone can form a wide raised scar which is why many surgeons are reluctant to do this operation.
A variation of the operation if the skin excess is mild to moderate can avoid the central scar making this an excellent procedure.
Seek out a board certified surgeon with experience with this operation and see if you are a good candidate for the procedure. (Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS, Corona Del Mar Plastic Surgeon)
Reverse Tummy Tuck
The operation which you describe is called a reverse tummy tuck. There are not many good candidates for this procedure and the patient must accept scars which can be visible and troublesome.
I agree that most patients will obtain a much better result with a conventional tummy tuck where the incision and subsequent scar are placed in the bikini area. (John Whitt, MD (retired), Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
It is called a reverse abdominoplasty. It is usually performed on individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery and the lower body lift (or tummy tuck) have not been able to address all of the loose skin. (Shahin Javaheri, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)
Reverse tummy tucks are rare
The procedure you describe is a reverse tummy tuck and it is rarely done because the scar extends all the way across under the breasts like the Golden Gate Bridge.
Regular tummy tuck scars are much better. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Reverse Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
You are referring to a Reverse Abdominoplasty. The procedure is used usually after a regular Full Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck were done and failed to correct loose skin above the belly button.
The operation leaves a scar just under the breasts but which is visible between the breasts. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)