Abdominoplasty: Different Procedures To Compare

Getting rid of extra skin can be remedied with an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck. Several incisions are made in order to pull the skin tighter and give the body a contoured look. When making an appointment to talk to a surgeon about the procedure, there are different options to choose from. Depending on the desired results as well as the reason for the surgery, a physician can suggest the best method for a person's body. Here are a few of the options for an abdominoplasty.

Complete:
A complete abdominoplasty involves an incision that stretches from one hip all the way to the other across the front of the body. The second incision removes the navel. From there the skin is separated from the muscle. The muscle is tightened with stitches to create a flat stomach. If necessary, liposuction is performed on the area before the skin is reattached. In most cases, portions of the skin are removed in order to stretch the skin and put the two pieces together. Often a new navel is created by the plastic surgeon.

Partial:
Instead of a large incision from hip to hip, a smaller incision is created. Some of the same techniques are used but they are limited in the change they create. The skin is separated from the muscle and both the muscle and the skin are tightened but in a limited manner when compared to the complete abdominoplasty. Liposuction can also be coupled with this procedure to create more noticeable results.

Extended:
With an extended tummy tuck, the results go past making improvements to the abdomen. The same procedure takes place over the tummy but a lateral thigh lift is also performed. This means that the body is changed in two different places making the results more noticeable. It also gives the surgeon a chance to create a smoother look on both the waist and the thighs. Liposuction usually accompanies this procedure.

In addition to combining a tummy tuck with other procedures, advanced methods are continuing to improve a patient's results. Now, instead of just tightening the muscles vertically, a high lateral tension abdominoplasty also tightens the muscles horizontally. This gives the patient a well-defined waist and a very flat abdomen. Women are taking advantage of this procedure to change their bodies after giving birth to their children.

Patients can also choose to have the tummy tuck extended across the backside in order to create a buttock lift. Also known as a body lift (or a belt lipectomy) this procedure often helps with patients that have lost a lot of weight and need the excess skin removed around the entire body.