4 Tummy Tuck Surgeries Explained - Which is Right For You?
You’ve spent hours in the gym doing crunches and sit-ups. You eat a healthy diet and religiously track your food intake. But are still unhappy with the way your tummy looks. It almost feels like that slimmer, tighter tummy you’re trying to achieve by doing all the right things is just impossible. That’s when it may be time to look into a tummy tuck.
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is still one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures for women and men in the Tucson area. This procedure removes excess pockets of fat and loose skin from the lower abdomen and tightly pulls the underlying muscles of the abdomen to create a flatter, tighter, and smoother stomach. What many people may not realize is that a tummy tuck is no longer a one-size-fits-all procedure. There are different tummy tuck techniques that address a number of issues, making the procedure one that is appropriate for your specific needs.
Dr. Arun Rao is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ. One of the leading plastic surgeon experts in the Tucson area, Dr. Rao understands that each patient is different with their own unique needs when it comes to a tummy tuck procedure. He works closely with each individual patient to develop a customized tummy tuck treatment plan that suits your unique needs and ultimate outcome.
Read on for more information from Dr. Rao about why men and women are considering a tummy tuck procedure, who makes for a good candidate, as well as a breakdown of four different tummy tuck techniques.
Tummy tuck 101
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area. While there are a number of tummy tuck methods available to men and women in Tucson, AZ, in almost all cases, an incision is made in the lower abdominal area where the excess fat and skin can be removed. Depending on the tummy tuck technique, a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Rao may also incorporate liposuction to remove excess fat. The underlying abdominal muscles are tightened which creates a tighter, flatter, and more toned look to the tummy. In some cases, the patient’s belly button may be repositioned, creating natural and proportionate results.
Reasons to consider a tummy tuck
There are a number of reasons why men and women in Tucson, AZ are considering tummy tuck surgery. In most cases, the prominent reason is to remove loose, excess skin in the lower abdomen. This skin is typically a result of:
- Major weight loss
- Fluctuations in weight (periods of weight gain, followed by weight loss)
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Aging, or skin laxity
- Genetics
This popular procedure performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rao at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery allows Tucson, AZ women and men the chance to gain a redefined physique in an area that is causing them discomfort. Other benefits of a tummy tuck include:
- Creation of a trim waistline and a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.
- Increased confidence in clothes and swimwear. Men and women no longer have to choose clothing to hide or accommodate their belly.
- For women, a tummy tuck may remove or reduce stretch marks from the lower abdomen as well as C-section scars.
Good candidates for a tummy tuck
Unfortunately for some men and women in Tucson, AZ, diet and exercise are just not effective in giving them the toned tummy they want. A tummy tuck can help them reach their aesthetic goals in having a flat abdomen that reflects their healthy lifestyle choices. Optimal candidates for a tummy tuck are in good health and at a stable weight with excess abdominal skin or fat that hasn’t responded to diet or exercise. It’s recommended that you be within 10-15 pounds of your goal weight. It is important to understand that while you might lose a few pounds during a tummy tuck from the removal of extra skin and fat, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure. Other good candidates in Tucson, AZ for a tummy tuck are women who have experienced childbirth as they usually have loose skin following pregnancy and extra weight around their waistline.
4 tummy tuck surgeries
There are a number of variations to the tummy tuck procedure. The right choice for you will depend on how much loose skin you have and what your ultimate aesthetic goals are. Here are examples of four common tummy tuck surgeries for Tucson-area men and women that can be performed by Dr. Rao:
Traditional Tummy Tuck
Also known as a full tummy tuck, this is a solution for people with excess fat and skin around the lower abdomen that needs to be removed, such as individuals who have lost a large amount of weight or moms who have leftover skin and fat from pregnancy. A traditional tummy tuck requires a larger incision, which spans from hip to hip and is considered more invasive. The procedure removes a larger portion of excess skin, which may also remove some stretch marks or unhealthy skin in the abdomen. A traditional tummy tuck does sometimes require the belly button to be repositioned. Depending on the amount of excess fat, Dr. Rao may incorporate liposuction as part of the procedure. This tummy tuck is the most common procedure performed and gives the most dramatic results.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a traditional tummy tuck but still provides excellent results to men and women in Tucson, AZ. This procedure is recommended for patients who require only a small amount of contouring and excess skin and fat removal from their lower abdominals. Unlike the traditional tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck involves a small 2-3 inch horizontal incision under the belly button in order for the excess skin and fat to be removed. The mini tummy tuck usually does not require repositioning of the belly button.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
A reverse tummy tuck is suited for men and women in the Tucson, AZ area who have excess fat and skin in just their upper abdominal area, which looks disproportionate to their lower abs. Patients who seek a reverse tummy tuck have fat rolls on the upper stomach area that are noticeable when sitting down. The incision for a reverse tummy tuck is made beneath the breasts at the crease. This is the least common tummy tuck as the majority of patients have excess fat and skin in both the upper and lower abs or just the lower portion of the abdomen.
Extended Tummy Tuck
Dr. Rao performs an extended tummy tuck on men and women in the Tucson, AZ area who have lost a significant amount of weight and have a large amount of excess skin and fat in their abdominal region. This is the most invasive type of tummy tuck. Like a traditional tummy tuck, an extended tummy tuck requires a horizontal incision along the lower abdominal region. However, with an extended tummy tuck, the incision spans the entire width of the abdominal region, in some cases extending into the hips and flanks, and can include a vertical incision through the center of the belly button to remove excess skin and fat and tightly pull the abdominal muscles. Liposuction is also commonly used to remove excess fat from the treatment area.
If you’re ready to get rid of excess fat and skin in your abdominal area and diet and exercise aren’t doing the trick, then maybe it’s time to consider a tummy tuck. Setting up a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Arun Rao at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ is the first step to obtaining the smooth, toned stomach you’ve always wanted. Contact our office today to discuss the variety of tummy tuck techniques available to help you achieve your aesthetic body goals.