Do you want to tone your midsection and reshape your abdominal area? Maintaining a flat, trim abdomen is a common struggle for most women and men. Weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, and the natural process of getting older can all contribute to the changes our abdominal area endures. What can you do if diet and exercise are not enough to maintain a slim, shapely midsection?
Cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin or unwanted fat on the stomach can give individuals the help they need. A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, can be customized to provide patients with the aesthetic results they desire. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao and his expert medical team at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ, have helped numerous patients achieve a smoother, more contoured midsection. Learn more about your options and if tummy tuck surgery is right for you. Let Dr. Rao and his professional staff help you find the best solution for your midsection makeover.
Improving your midsection from top to bottom
The abdominal area can be divided into two different sections: the lower and upper regions. The lower abdominal area is below the belly button, and the upper area is located under the breasts and above the belly button. Both areas can be contoured and reshaped by using different tummy tuck options — a reverse tummy tuck for the upper section and a traditional tummy tuck for the lower. What is the difference between the two options? What if you have only one area that needs cosmetic help? And what is a mini tummy tuck? Dr. Rao will answer all of your questions and help devise a surgical plan that will best suit your needs.
Different tummy tuck options
Everyone wants a toned, flat midsection, but sometimes a healthy diet and regular exercise don’t yield the results you want. Contouring and reshaping with the cosmetic help of a tummy tuck procedure can take your body to the next level. A traditional tummy tuck is the most popular choice, but with today’s surgical advancements, there are additional options. A mini tummy tuck and extended tummy tuck can help the lower abdominal area, while a reverse tummy tuck can tackle the upper portion.
Here is a general overview of each tummy tuck procedure:
Full tummy tuck
A traditional full tummy tuck concentrates on reshaping and flattening the lower region of the abdomen. Liposuction can be utilized to further contour the area by removing excess fat while loose skin is trimmed away for a tight, flat look. A full tummy tuck can also tighten the underlying abdominal muscles at the same time. Pregnancy can cause abdominal distension where the underlying muscles are stretched, requiring surgical help to repair them. The incision is made just above the pubic area from hip to hip, and the belly button is repositioned to properly fit the newly contoured lower abdominal area.
Mini tummy tuck
With advancements in surgical techniques over the last decade, variations of the traditional tummy tuck procedure have been created to accommodate patients with different needs. If you are in relatively good shape but struggle with a little extra loose skin, a mini tummy tuck may be the ideal option for you. A mini tummy tuck focuses on the area under the belly button. This procedure requires a smaller incision and less downtime, and in most cases, the belly button is not repositioned.
Extended tummy tuck
An extended tummy tuck is suitable for men or women who have large amounts of excess skin and unwanted fatty tissue that extend to the hips and thighs. It is a common choice for individuals after a significant weight loss. This more extensive surgical procedure requires a longer incision from hip to hip that is carried over to the lower back or flank area. It includes removing excess skin, liposuction, tightening underlying abdominal muscles, and repositioning the belly button.
Reverse tummy tuck
The reverse tummy tuck helps individuals who struggle with unwanted fatty tissue and excess, loose skin on their upper torso. Excess skin above the belly button is removed and tightened toward the breast or chest area. Liposuction can also be utilized to extract fatty pockets and further contour the upper torso area. With a reverse tummy tuck, no underlying abdominal muscles are tightened like with a traditional tummy tuck. One streamlined incision or two separate ones are made below the breasts or in the breast fold area, so any scars can be concealed by a bathing suit or bra.
Body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck can be life-changing for patients in the Tucson area. Working with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao can ensure you get the proper tummy tuck procedure to meet your cosmetic goals.
You can reshape your torso area from top to bottom with help from these fantastic body contouring techniques. A tummy tuck can eliminate loose, saggy skin or that stubborn pooch so you can have a sleeker profile. Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ, offers different tummy tuck options and there is one that is just right for you. Let Dr. Arun Rao and his bilingual, Spanish-speaking team help you start your journey toward a tighter, slimmer midsection by scheduling a consultation today.
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* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.