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Do Plastic Surgeons Tailor Tummy Tuck for Patient's Specific Needs?

I am 35 years old and gave birth to my last child in March 2009 (3rd birth/c-section). I am 5'4" and about 160 lbs. And while I work out rigorously 4-5 times a week, (and have for several years) I can't seem to get my weight lowered (pre-baby was around 150 lbs.).

Most of my weight is in my belly. I want to know if plastic surgeons tailor the Tummy Tuck procedure for the patient's needs (flanks, skin removal, etc) or is there a standard that is followed? Thank you.

Asked 27 months ago by Sammi2010 in NJ

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age 35-44 flanks female 150-169 lbs 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in after pregnancy weight loss belly c-section plastic surgeon removal skin weight

Custom tailored tummy tuck

I think all tummy tucks have variations due to what each individual patient presents with. Having said that, a tummy tuck will improve the anterior abdominal area, but not much else. If there are areas of concern, you might need additional surgery on that area, possibly something like liposuction. Additionally, one thing that a tummy tuck will be able to improve, not matter if it is customized, is the amount of fat inside of your abdominal cavity. This is called visceral fat and is the fat... more

Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tailoring of Tummy Tuck to Individual Needs

Most well-trained plastic surgeons will indeed "tailor" the procedure to the problems and concerns of each individual patient. For example, I almost always will perform and muscle repair and some limited liposuction of the flanks, but a few patients do not require either or both of these. On the other hand, some patients will benefit froma secondary liposuction of the upper abdomen which I usually delay. Some patients also benefit from an extended tummy tuck incision. All of... more

John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

The best surgeon for you

It is important to express your desired outcome with the surgeon you choose to perform your surgery. Each person is very different and their expectations change. As board certified plastic surgeons it is part of our job to consider the wants and expectations of our patients and tailor the procedure appropriately. Visit several surgeons and choose the one who you believe understands your goals as well as you do.

Amy K. Alderman, M.D., M.P.H.

Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Plastic surgeons ALWAYS tailor Tummy Tuck for patient's specific needs

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is ALWAYS tailored to the patient's morphology and needs. The length of the transverse incision is designed to be hidden by your panties and is only as long as your skin excess. Liposuction of the back and flanks are done, as needed, based on your presentation. EVERY single plastic surgeon on this panel has heard the following line thousands of times : "while I work out rigorously 5-7 times a week, (...for X years ED) I can't seem to get my weight lowered (pre-b more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Customized tummy tuck

Your surgeon should absolutely customize your procedure to fit not only your anatomy but your individual goals. All procedures, including abdominoplasty, have multiple factors and issues to consider. For tummy tucks, there can be competing concerns with length of incision, position and level of incision, removal of stretch marks, variable tightening of skin and location of skin tightening, amount and distribution of fat, risk and benefit of liposuction, and ability to move or not move... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck should be modified to address specific needs

Most surgeons well versed in abdominoplasty or tummy tuck will not approach all individuals in the same way. The degree of diastasis, the presence of a hernia, the variation in skin laxity, the amount of subcutaneous fat, the presence of abdominal scars all will affect and influence how the procedure is performed, or what techniques will be applied. Custom is the key word as no two are exactly alike. Best of luck!

Peter E. Johnson, MD

Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Custom tailored tummy tucks

Excellent question. All abdominoplasties should and can be customized to the patient's individual needs. It is important to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon and to clarify whether liposuction would be a suitable companion procedure. Placement of the scar can be personalized. Some patients require liposuction of the abdomen whereas others need work on the flanks. Some need repair of a ventral hernia or diastasis recti, and others do not... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Custom Tummy Tuck

Plastic surgeons should customize a tummy tuck. Therefore, there is no 1 price for a tummy tuck since no 2 procedures are exactly alike. Beware of “price lists” offering cookie cutter surgery. Cutting costs by cutting corners in a tummy tuck can result in unfavorable results or possibly serious complications. After checking a surgeon’s background, training and experience look at before and after photos. Scars around the belly button are a dead giveaway of a tummy... more

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Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck Options?

Thank you for thoughtful question? Yes there are different types of 'tummy tucks" they can be performed depending on the specific patient's needs and goals. In my opinion, for example,the mini tummy talk is an operation that produces very limited results and is very rarely indicated. It involves a shorter incision but does not address the majority of the abdominal wall issues present for most patients who present... more

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Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tailoring tummy tuck procedure to each patient

Hello, Absolutely. A plastic surgeon that is well trained and loves what he/she does will not only tailor the procedure for your needs and goals but he/she will help you select the tummy tuck that will be best for you including: 1) Endoscopic TT 2) Mini TT 3) Full TT 4) Extended TT 5) Reverse TT 6) Circumferential TT 7) Fleur-de-lis TT Your plastic surgeon should tailor even the specific type of tummy tuck to your needs including final incision... more

Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tailoring the tummy tuck to individual needs

Every tummy tuck is tailored to the individual needs. The amount of tissue removed, the liposuction requirements , and the amount of abdominal wall reconstruction can all vary tremendously. Talk to your plastic surgeon for his/her exact recommendations. All the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Customized tummy tucks

All plastic surgical procedures should be tailored for each individual patient! With tummy tucks and yours in particular, it is extremely important to do aggressive liposuction with most tummy tuck procedures so that patients get the contoured, flat stomachs they desire!

Eric Sadeh, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck for customized body contouring

Sammi: You ask a great question because it allows us to help others understand how body-contouring procedures (liposuction and tummy tucks) work to give each woman a customized enhancement. During your personal consultation, you tell the plastic surgeon which areas concern you. During your examination, he or she can evaluate each area, and any related areas you may not have highlighted. Then the surgeon would propose alternatives, and tell you how each will benefit you personally... more

Sutton Graham II, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

All plastic surgeries must be tailored to patient's needs

All plastic surgery procedures must be tailored to the needs of the patient. Everyone's body is different and will therefore require different surgical procedures to obtain the optimal outcome. This is true for all plastic surgical procedures including tummy tuck surgery. Every woman has a unique body shape. Tailoring the procedure to the individual allows one to obtain the best possible result each time. This includes variations in incision placement, muscle tightening, addition of... more

Mitchel Krieger, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Every patient gets a different combination of tummy tuck and liposuction

Every patient gets a different combination of tummy tuck and liposuction depending on their needs and desires. The final scar can be higher, lower, longer or shorter . The abdomen, back, and hips can be reduced by liposuction; the internal muscles can be tightened to varying degrees. All of these will be different for different patients. Make sure you get a Tummy Tuck tailored to your specific needs.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tucks are tailored much like clothes

Yes, tummy tucks are tailored much like clothes. In fact clothing styles have an influence on the location of the incision. We even call the low to high a "french cut" abdominoplasty after the bathing suit style. This was popular in the 80's and early 90's but as the "low rider"jeans became popular, so did the end of our incisions. The length, direction, and heights of the incision as well as the shape are all a function of the patient's desires, clothing preferences,... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck is individualized to a woman's anatomy.

Hi! 1) There are several ways to do a tummy tuck, and the procedure is absolutely tailored to the patient's particular needs. 2) You probably need a "minimal undermining" tummy tuck, which allows for a lot of safe liposuction in the upper and lower stomach, in the waist, and in the love handles. The lower abdominal skin is removed. 3) The fact that you now weigh 10 pounds more is not an issue.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Plastic surgeons do what you need

Any good plastic surgeon tailors thier surgery to what you have and what you need. That is why you need to have a consultation in person prior to figuring out what you need and what it will cost.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tailoring the tummy tuck to the patient's needs

Experienced and qualified plastic surgeons should provide you alternativs and explain why certain options are better for you than other options. First you should be able to explain what is bothering you. Next, they should be able to explain what is actually causing the problem(too much skin, fat, muscle weakness, etc) and tell you what can be done. They should then be able to guide you to make the right decision for you and explain what the consequences are for that decision,e.g. the results... more

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tailoring a tummy tuck

Certainly, all excellent plastic surgeons will tailor the tummy tuck to meet your specific needs. Some patients have more skin, some more muscle laxity, some have flank fat that needs liposuction etc. Each of these issues is taken into account to give you your own best possible result.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Do surgeons tailor the procedure to my needs?

Hi there- The best and most skilled surgeons will, indeed, have a higher level of understanding of the aberrant anatomy that needs to be addressed in order for each individual patient to achieve their best outcome. This is variable among individual surgeons however... It sounds like your outcome would be well-served by a bit of weight loss though- I do realize you have tried without success in the past, but if your goal is to achieve the very best outcome possible, losing some weight would... more

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