Tummy Tuck: Q&A

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Tummy Tuck Options?

I'm having second thoughts about having a full tummy tuck. I'm wondering, can I have the incision to tighten my stomach muscles and just cut the lower belly skin without necessarily pulling my rib cage skin down and moving my belly button?

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Anna79 in Bay Area

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VIDEO OF TUMMY TUCK OPTIONS (click below for link)

I have prepared a video which depicts the four basic types of tummy tucks below fo your review. This may help to explain the differences and which procedure will provide the best solution for your specific condition. see video

Tummy tuck versus something less extensive

As you already know, a full tummy tuck entails excision of skin and fat from the abdominal wall, and also provides access to the midline abdominal wall muscles from sternum to pubic bone, allowing for tightening. An incision is made around the belly button to allow for greater mobility of the abdominal wall skin and fat and also to provide better surgical exposure for muscle tightening. It may be possible to tighten the abdominal wall muscles superior to the belly button without making an... more

Possible Reverse Tummy Tuck.

It is impossible to determine whether or not a reverse upper abdominoplasty would be an option for you. But it is an option for some women. Not infrequently I see patients in whom there is as much skin laxity in the upper abdomen as there is in the lower abdomen. In fact, some patients after pregnancy will have fairly 'toned' lower abdominal skin, but very lax and redundant upper abdominal skin. In these situations, the removal of skin in a vertically downward direction ( a... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

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Tummy tuck

Without examining you, it would be difficult to answer this. However, I do not like the way the umbilicus usually looks when the lower abdominal askin is pulled down alot without freeing it from the umbilicus.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks are a great solution for stretch marks and loose skin

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. In our practice, when we evaluate our tummy tuck patients, we determine how much skin and fat can safely be removed. We then show the patients the length of the incisions and how the length of incision will determine how much tissue can safely be resected. If the extra skin and fat is only in your central abdomen, you may only need a mini tummy tuck. Discuss with your plastic surgeon your concerns and ask him or her... more

Tummy Tuck

I agree with Samir above. If you are a candidate for a "full" tummy tuck, then that is the procedure you should undergo. The reason for this is that there isn't much of a difference in the final scar between a "mini" tummy tuck and a "full" tummy tuck, maybe an inch or two on each side. However the benefits of the full tummy tuck contour far outweigh this minor extension in the scar; you will have a tighter/flatter abdominal wall and contour. It is rare to see... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.