The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Tummy Tuck: Standard, Mini, or Extended? - Tuesday, November 04, 2008

A tummy tuck, known medically as an abdominoplasty, removes extra skin and fat from the abdomen that can accumulate as we age, after weight loss or after pregnancy. There are three tummy tuck types that do similar things, but on different size areas of the lower body.

Standard Tummy Tuck

There are two incisions. One is long, running between the hip bones at the pubic area. The other is small, around the navel. The entire abdomen is targeted from the lowest rib to the pubis. Extra fat and skin are removed, the vertical abdominal muscle is tightened by being pulled together and stitched, and the navel is repositioned.

Mini Tummy Tuck

There is only one incision, running between the hip bones at the pubic area, but shorter than the incision for the standard tummy tuck. The targeted area is from the navel to the pubis, and excess fat and skin are removed. The navel is not repositioned.

Extended Tummy Tuck

This is also called a circumferential tummy tuck, belt lipectomy or body lift. A long incision runs from flank to flank, extending around to the back. The targeted area includes the abdomen and also the hips and lower back. Muscles are tightened in all these areas to create a more uniform look, instead of recontouring just the abdomen and leaving excess weight and sagging at the sides and back.

If you think you are a candidate for a tummy tuck and would like to know more about the procedure, please contact our office. The best procedure will be recommended after a careful and detailed personal consultation.