Which Tummy Tuck Technique is Right for You?

by Dr. Steven Wallach

Plastic surgery techniques continue to evolve, allowing more and more options for patients! However, this can also make it more difficult to decide which procedure is right for you. When it comes to the tummy tuck, you have a few different options:

Endoscopic tummy tuck

An endoscopic tummy tuck offers recontouring with minimal trauma to the body and minimal recovery time. Using a few small incisions and visualization with a small camera, midline muscle laxity can be treated. At the same time, liposuction techniques can also be used to remove stubborn fat cells in the abdominal area. While this can effectively address your muscle laxity, it will not treat skin laxity.

Lower abdominal skin excision with aggressive liposuction

This is similar to a mini tummy tuck but the incision is longer and not undermined to any significant extent. Aggressive liposuction can be performed with this technique.  This will address loose hanging skin of the lower abdomen as well.  It will not treat the upper abdominal laxity or any muscle weakness but there recovery is usually quicker than a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck if muscle plication was performed.

Mini tummy tuck

A mini tummy tuck can recontour your lower abdominal area, addressing loose skin and tissue below the belly button. For this procedure, a short incision in the pubic region will be made for minimal scarring. This technique is beneficial for those with loose skin only in the lower abdominal area. The upper abdominal and belly button position will not be addressed with this technique.  This may or may not include lower abdominal muscle tightening as well.

Full tummy tuck

In a full or tradition tummy tuck, the upper and lower abdominal area are recontoured by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissue. The belly button can also be repositioned during this technique. The full tummy tuck involves an incision from hip-to-hip and around the belly button.

Extended tummy tuck

An extended tummy tuck, or lower body lift, not only address the entire abdominal area, but the sides and back as well. This procedure is often reserved for those who underwent a dramatic weight loss and now experience large amounts of loose skin and tissue. The procedure involves an incision across the pelvic region that extends towards the lower back.

The tummy tuck technique that is right for you won’t be a decision you make alone! Dr. Wallach will be there to answer any questions you have and will ultimately decide on the technique that’s right for your body and concerns. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Wallach, contact our office today.