Types of Tummy Tuck
There are a number of different types of tummy tuck surgery that your surgeon will discuss with you. Which one you have will depend on your concerns and the extent of surgery you need.
The types of tummy tuck surgery include:
*Traditional Tummy Tuck
*Mini Tummy Tuck
*Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
*Extended Tummy Tuck
*Circumferential Tummy Tucks
Traditional Tummy Tuck
The traditional tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the most commonly performed type of tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon will make a large hip-to-hip incision, as well as incisions around the belly button to allow for repositioning of the navel. This kind of tummy tuck will improve the entire abdominal region. Traditional tummy tucks are commonly combined with abdominal liposuction.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The mini tummy tuck, also known the partial abdominoplasty, focuses on the lower abdomen. It is ideally suited to people who are within 10 percent of their ideal body weight. Mini tummy tucks require only a single small incision. They usually do not involve repositioning the navel. Partial abdominoplasties result in less dramatic changes to the appearance of the abdomen than other types of abdominoplasty surgery, but also offer a shorter recovery time than most tummy tuck procedures.
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
As the name suggests an endoscopic tummy tuck is performed using an endoscope (a tiny camera attached to a tube). The surgeon makes a small incision, just big enough to insert the tube through, which means there is less scarring. This type of surgery is only suitable for people with weakened abdominal muscles, little abdominal fat, and no noticeable loose skin around the stomach area.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck involves the removal of ‘love handles’ on either side of the waist as well as the removal of fat and excess skin from the stomach area. The incision is usually kept low so that even if the scar extends behind the hips, it will not be visible. This procedure allows for the treatment of a larger area than the traditional tummy tuck. In order to address the lifting of the entire lower body area, a circumferential tummy tuck is usually required.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck
A circumferential tummy tuck is a form of lower body lift. This type of tummy tuck is usually performed on people who have had lost significant amounts of weight, often as a result of gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding. Extreme weight loss often leads to loose, overhanging and saggy skin around the abdomen. Circumferential abdominoplasty can involve the removal of excess skin from the thigh, buttocks, and hips, as well as the central abdominal area. The scars for this type of procedure extend to the back.
