Overview
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, is an ideal procedure for individuals who wish to remove excess tummy skin and fat that cannot be eliminated by diet or exercise alone. In Orlando, board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Armando Soto brings all available techniques and advanced technology to bear for the benefit of his tummy tuck patients. During your consultation at Aesthetic Enhancements Plastic Surgery, Dr. Soto will discuss all the differences and benefits between your available options after reviewing your goals with you and performing a careful examination. The ultimate goal is to safely achieve an attractive new contour that appears natural and not "operated on". In Dr. Soto's hands, tummy tuck is a very popular procedure, because the results seen cannot be achieved through any other method.
Tummy Tuck Reviews
Surgical Technique
Full Tummy Tuck
In patients who undergo a full tummy tuck, the incision is made from hip to hip just over the pubic area. This results in a scar line that gently curves with the body and can be hidden when wearing most undergarments and two piece bathing suits. It is most commonly performed on women with skin folds and/or muscular laxity (called rectus diastasis) after multiple pregnancies, but may also be the technique of choice for some weight loss patients as well. This technique allows Dr. Soto access to a large portion of the abdomen, with removal of excess skin, restoration of a fit muscular anatomy, and elimination of excess fat. Liposuction may be performed (when deemed safe and necessary) as an adjunct before final closure to put the "finishing touches" on your silhouette.
Mini Tummy Tuck
An alternative to the traditional technique is the mini tummy tuck, which is also known as a “Brazilian tummy tuck.” The difference is that ideally the patients that undergo this procedure are already in relatively good shape with a healthy skin tone, but still have loose skin on the lower abdomen. Unlike the full tummy tuck, the belly button is unaffected and the incision is slightly smaller. Liposuction is used (if needed) to remove excess fat, and the loose skin is removed and pulled tight. It is important to note that very few patients are candidates for this procedure, because most people who have laxity in the abdominal area experience the problem over the entire abdomen, making the mini tummy tuck ineffective.
Extended Tummy Tuck
In cases when major skin tightening and body contouring is needed, an extended tummy tuck is recommended. This is a necessary technique for patients who have undergone a significant weight loss, or as an alternative to a lower body lift. It was developed after some patients noted that even after a full tummy tuck, the parts surrounding the abdomen still showed excessive folds of skin. Liposuction is still used and excess skin is trimmed then tightened. Similar to a full tummy tuck, the belly button is restored to a youthful appearance as well.
During/After Surgery
A tummy tuck is done under general anesthesia most often as an outpatient procedure, but an overnight stay may be required for more complex cases. As with any other surgery, abdominoplasty involves risks which are affected by your state of health so it’s best to discuss any health conditions you have prior to surgery. After surgery, pain medications are provided and a compression garment is worn. Very early after surgery it is recommended that patients make a concerted effort to move around to improve blood circulation and reduce the risks of blood clot complications. Full recovery may take up to 6 weeks, although you will be seeing the lovely change in your body's shape within a few days of surgery.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Lipo or Abdominoplasty?
Tummy tucks are usually reserved for patients who have stretched, loose skin in the lower abdomen as a result of pregnancy or obesity. Liposuction, on the other hand, is best for those who want to remove excess fat in the abdomen but still have a healthy skin tone and muscles that have not been stretched apart by pregnancy or weight gain/weight loss cycles. During the initial consultation, Dr. Soto will provide a thorough assessment and determine if liposuction alone is all that is needed, or if a tummy tuck will provide the best results.
Combining Procedures?
Normally, abdominoplasty is performed to improve loose skin and excess fat around the abdominal area. However, sometimes other cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation or a breast lift are done to further improve the overall look and feel of the body. When this combination type surgery exists, it is known as a “mommy makeover.” It is very popular among women after pregnancy who wish to get their pre-pregnancy body and shape back to normal.
How Bad Are The Scars?
As with any surgical procedure, scars are unavoidable. However, extra measures are taken to make sure that scarring is minimal, and the incision line is placed in areas that can be concealed by undergarments. Previous C-section scars will be removed and replaced by the tummy tuck scar, which will be lower in placement. During the healing process, we will provide a post-operative protocol that includes scar treatment to help assist the scars in becoming less visible over time.
Pregnancy After Tummy Tuck?
It is our recommendation that women who decide to have more children delay a tummy tuck procedure until their family is complete. The stretching of the skin as a result of another pregnancy can reduce the positive outcome of this procedure.
