One of the most common cosmetic procedures is a tummy tuck. But it is also one of the most misunderstood surgeries because most people do not know there are many types of tummy tucks.
A top surgeon can artistically render the belly button in a natural way during tummy tuck surgery. This tiny structure should remain attractive and look distorted. If you observe belly buttons the next time you are at the poolside or beach, you will see how often poorly positioned and misshapen they are following tummy tucks. The belly button remains a dead giveaway following a conventional tummy tuck.
At SurgiSculpt, the belly button receives the highest priority, and its appealing aesthetics is either preserved or artistically rendered. The aesthetics of the belly button should guide which tummy tuck surgery is right for you. So let’s take a look at the different types of tummy tucks.
Full Tummy Tuck Without Muscle Repair
A common misconception is that a full tummy tuck always includes the repair of the abdominal muscles. The first function of a full tummy tuck is to eliminate moderate to extensive skin excess. To maximally eliminate the skin redundancy, your abdominal skin must be elevated to your rib cage; thus, your belly button must be “undone” temporarily.In this case, if your muscle is not loose or separated, they do not need to be addressed.
The main advantage of the full tummy tuck without muscle repair is that you can expect a speedy recovery and return to work within two weeks after surgery. The disadvantage to your surgeon is that the belly button needs to be appropriately inset by sewing it down to your abdominal muscles to recreate an aesthetically pleasing appearance, an innie belly button.
Full Tummy Tuck With Muscle Repair
A full tummy tuck with muscle repair is probably the best-known cosmetic surgery of the abdomen. It includes not only the elimination of moderate to extensive skin redundancy but tightening of the abdominal muscles. This tummy tuck is similar to the one described above but involves sewing the muscles together like a corset. Sewing in the muscles not only corrects muscle looseness but also automatically pulls in the belly button.
The advantage of this tummy tuck is the avoidance of additional steps to sew down the belly button performed in the tummy tuck presented above to get a beautiful innie belly button. The disadvantage of the full tummy tuck with muscle repair is a prolonged recovery of 3 to 4 weeks before returning to work.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is performed when the removal of excess skin is limited to below the belly button. This tummy tuck does not address muscle looseness or upper abdominal skin redundancy, and the belly button is not released from the muscle. The advantage of the mini tummy tuck is that the original belly button is not disrupted and is minimally pulled down, creating an attractive upper belly button hood during repair of the skin incision line positioned in the pubic region.
The best candidates for the mini tummy tuck are patients with minimal to moderate skin redundancy of the lower abdomen that cannot be addressed by liposuction or scarless skin tightening. It also helps if the patient possesses a high-positioned belly button. Finally, patients can expect to return to routine activities as early as 1 to 2 weeks following surgery.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
A reverse tummy tuck is a little like the mini. This procedure may need to be performed if excess skin is localized to the upper abdomen above the belly button and in patients with a low-positioned belly button. The reverse tummy tuck uses strategic incisions located under the breast crease. It allows for the pulling up of skin redundancy, thus the name of a reverse tummy tuck, to eliminate upper abdominal skin redundancy. This unique tummy tuck also avoids the release of the belly button and tends to pull it up minimally.
The reverse tummy tuck is ideal for patients with isolated upper belly loose skin and a low-positioned belly button.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck is an expanded version of the full tummy tuck with or without muscle repair. The reason for extending the tummy tuck is moderate to extensive lower back and flank fullness. The key indicator is prominent love handles. This surgery allows the elimination of skin and soft tissues that would be retained by performing a standard tummy tuck. It extends the traditional tummy tuck incisions around the sides and back. If your surgeon tells you that you need one of these types of tummy tucks, it will be essential for smooth lines. This will also avoid “dog ears” skin puckers, typical of an incision line that is too short or leaving skin that is too loose.
The additional length of the incision line in an extended tummy tuck means an additional week of recovery.
Combining A Full Tummy Tuck And Liposuction
Traditionally, a full tummy tuck cannot always be safely combined with abdominal liposuction. However, our SurgiSculpt surgeons have recently developed safety surgical protocols. These protocols allow the combination of a full tummy tuck and HD liposuction in a single surgery. We call this the Modified abdominal skin resection.
Now, it is possible to not only eliminate moderate to severe amounts of skin while getting rid of the fat comprehensively. Abdominal muscle highlights are possible with VASER liposuction. For the first time, even if you feel your underlying muscles are well hidden, VASER high definition liposuction will transform you into a superhero in several hours.
Conclusion
Now that you know about the different kinds of tummy tucks that can be done, you’ll appreciate the results that can be achieved for you. Now, when your surgeon recommends, you have the information needed to make an informed decision.
Check you some of our results around different types of tummy tucks, including full and mini tucks!