Tummy Tucks continue to be one of the most frequently performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. The medical term is Abdominoplasty, which literally means abdomen changing. Today, I review the important factors that contribute to safe, predictable aesthetic tummy flattening.
Abdominoplasty means “abdomen changing”. The above Tummy Tuck before and after pictures show real patient results when excess skin is removed and the abdominal wall is tightened with the procedure.
Abdominoplasty is used after childbirth or weight loss to tighten all the layers of the abdominal wall: the skin, the fat and the muscle. The most common method involves directly excising the lower abdominal skin with the fat attached, and tightening the abdominal muscles to create a flatter foundation with a thinner and firmer covering.
There are several different types of tummy tucks, but today I’m blogging about the big three. From smallest to largest they are:
- Mini Tummy Tuck
- Full Tummy Tuck
- Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
Mini Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
The Mini Tummy Tuck is a smaller procedure designed to correct a smaller problem. When the abdominal wall laxity and disproportionate fat is limited to the area below the belly-button, a Mini Abdominoplasty is just what the doctor ordered to rejuvenate the belly with less surgery and a shortened recovery period.
The Mini Tummy Tuck is used when the skin redundancy and muscle laxity is confined to the region below the umbilicus (belly button). It is a smaller procedure that treats a smaller problem with a faster recovery.
In the Mini Tummy Tuck Before and After Pictures above, the abdominal wall laxity is primarily below the umbilicus. A low incision is used to remove the excess skin and fat and to access the lower abdominal wall for placement of an internal corset. The result is a flatter belly. A hybrid procedure, the Floating Belly Button Abdominoplasty, can be used when the skin is tight above the belly button, but the muscle fascia needs to be tightened higher than the umbilicus.
Abdominoplasty Before and After Pictures
The next patient has a large amount of abdominal muscle laxity with sagging skin and fat. A Full Tummy Tuck was performed to remove all skin between the umbilicus and the pubis with its attached fat. The entire abdominal musculature is visualized and tightened during the procedure to flatten the belly.
The Tummy Tuck before and after pictures above show recontouring of the abdominal wall and removal of the low hanging abdominal skin.
Before her Full Abdominoplasty, this patient’s belly protrudes from top to bottom. The muscles have been separated by pregnancy creating a large diastasis recti. The muscle was repaired from ribs to pubic bone, and the excess skin and fat were removed to provide a flatter, tighter and more attractive abdominal wall. Sometimes Tumescent Liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the sides and back to further compliment her results.
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
For larger excesses of skin, a Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck is performed with an additional incision running down the front of the abdomen. In the next case, my patient lost over 100 pounds, and was left with a large amount of redundant skin. She already had a vertical scar from previous surgery, so a scar revision was done as part of the removal of the midline abdominal skin.
After massive weight loss, like that seen above after Bariatric surgery, a larger than average amount of skin and muscle laxity are present. The Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck is a modified abdominoplasty designed to treat these excesses.
The above patient had a large skirt of excess skin making it difficult to fit into clothing and keep the skin folds clean. A Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck was performed. The lower skin was removed with the usual lower abdominal incision, while the central abdominal skin was removed with a midline vertical incision. Since she already had a scar there, the decision to proceed with the Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck was a no brainer. After surgery, all her hard work is revealed. Her clothes fit better, and she is more comfortable in her skin, literally.
Abdominoplasty Consultations
When researching Tummy Tucks consult with an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Whether you need some Liposuction or a Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck, for the best results find a plastic surgeon specializing in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, who can provide you with all your options. In the San Francisco Bay Area, call (925) 943-6353 to schedule a private and informative consultation appointment.
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