What is a full tummy tuck
A typical full abdominoplasty is performed after bearing children or after moderate weight loss.
It can be a powerful procedure that can flatten and remove excess skin and fat from both above and below the belly button and tighten the abdominal muscles.
The trade off is a scar in the bikini line that extends hip to hip and a scar around the belly button. The basic procedure includes elevating a flap of belly skin and fat; separating it from the belly muscles all the way up to the ribs.
During this dissection, the belly button is separated from the surround skin and left attached to the belly wall. The flap is pulled down tight and the excess skin is removed.
What is a full tummy tuck operation
The abdominal muscles are then sutured together to remove the laxity (plicated). Finally, the belly button is brought out to the surface through a new hole in the flap (transposed) and the incisions are closed. Often flank liposuction is added to an abdominoplasty for better contouring.
Liposuction of other areas of the abdomen during a typical full abdominoplasty can jeopardize the blood supply and is associated with increased complications. An alternative to a traditional abdominoplasty includes lipo-abdominoplasty. During this procedure liposuction is first performed on the entire the abdominal wall. A limited midline dissection is performed to gain access to the edge of the muscles for abdominal wall plication.
The remainder of the surgery is similar to a traditional abdominoplasty including the extent of the scars, the removal of excess skin, the transposition of the belly button, and the plication of the abdominal wall.
What is a full tummy tuck question
The choice of surgery is based on the patient’s anatomy, surgeon preference, and patient preference. A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical treatment. Consultation with a plastic surgeon would be the next best step. (David Tauber, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)
During a full abdominoplasty, is the upper abdomen worked on as well or just the lower?
Some surgeons will perform small amounts of liposuction at the same time but liposuction of the flanks is not part of a tummy tuck and will incur additional charges (Julio Garcia, MD)
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure includes treatment of the full abdomen and waist line, given that the muscle repair often performed at the same time will narrow the waistline. That being said, a typical tummy tuck does NOT include liposuction but can possibly be added on to the tummy tuck procedure depending on the need and surgeon preference.
What is a full tummy tuck scar
There really is no need to perform lower abdominal liposuction at the same time as an abdominoplasty since this is the tissue that will be removed anyway. Many surgeons will offer flank liposuction at the same time but not upper abdominal because there is a risk of injuring the blood vessels that feed the entire abdomen once the tummy tuck incision is made. You should be sure to schedule a consultation with a board-certified/eligible plastic surgeon to make specific recommendations for the best surgical treatment! (Megan Jack, MD, Nashville Plastic Surgeon)
What is a full tummy tuck surgery
Liposuction with Tummy Tuck
Both Upper and Lower abdomen are worked on in a Full Abdominoplasty. A traditional abdominoplasty does not include Liposuction. Many Plastic Surgeons combine some Liposuction with Abdominoplasty. It is best for you to see an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and discuss the areas of concern. (Ajaya Kashyap, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
A full abdominoplasty does not necessarily include liposuction of all of the areas mentioned. For example, some surgeons routinely do liposuction contouring of the upper abdomen rather than widely undermining the tissue and achieving a good contour in a different way. It is probably better to focus on their results than a single part of their technique. (William Andrade, MD)
