For those looking to remove some stubborn fat in the abdomen area for a variety of potential reasons, the tummy tuck is perhaps the most common and well-known procedure. Did you realize, however, that there are actually multiple different kinds of tummy tuck performed?Â
At the offices of Steven Warnock MD, we’re proud to offer high-quality tummy tuck services for those looking to tighten skin and tone their muscles in the stomach and abdomen area. Also known as abdominoplasty, this procedure is available for both men and women — and while it’s not a solution for obesity, it’s ideal for many people nonetheless. Here are the three forms of tummy tuck you generally have available to you, plus some information on each so you can make the ideal decision.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Also called a partial abdominoplasty, the mini tummy tuck is a viable option for those with less fat and excess tissue than is necessary to warrant a full tummy tuck. Dr. Warnock may recommend this procedure as an alternative if the patient has loose skin on their abdomen, but doesn’t have enough of it to significantly alter their body contours and shape through tightening and removing tissue.
Specifically, this procedure is best if most or all of the fat deposits being removed are present below the navel area. The mini tummy tuck involves a smaller incision than the full tummy tuck, and thus is less invasive. However, there may be some visible scarring after the procedure, and it’s also not quite as effective at removing fat (although it does tighten muscle).
Full Tummy Tuck
Also known as abdominoplasty, this procedure is the most common and well-known of the tummy tucks available. The full abdominoplasty removes excess tissue, skin, and fat from the stomach area to smooth out any areas that may be present on both men and women.
A patient seeking this kind of tummy tuck is generally looking for a more permanent solution than the mini tummy tuck, and it does a superior job of removing fat deposits. It’s also best for those who have skin below the belly button that is loose or drooping — if this skin isn’t present, it may be more difficult to smooth out the stomach area completely.
This procedure involves two different incisions, and will generally take between two and five hours.
Extended Tummy Tuck
Finally, for certain patients who require it, the extended tummy tuck refers to a full procedure, but one with longer incisions and tissue removal. This is a considerable investment, as it involves a longer operation and an extended recovery time — but if you need more tissue removed to correct your body’s contours, it may be the right option for you.
For more on the various kinds of tummy tuck available to you, or to learn about any of our plastic surgery programs, speak to the staff at the offices of Steven Warnock MD today.