High Tension Tummy Tuck Vs. Regular Tummy Tuck

High Tension Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty as is performed in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills combines several procedures to deliver amazing results. It lifts up and tightens the thighs and buttocks, while narrowing the waist line, and tightening the abdominal wall. A regular tummy tuck does not usually lift up the thighs and does not give a curvaceous figure.

Hi there-
At least as performed in our Orlando Plastic Surgery and Skin Care Center, the High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck allows improvement in the appearance and excess of skin on the anterior thighs in addition to the improvement seen in more traditional tummy tuck techniques.

High tension tummy tuck removes the most amount of skin from the areas surrounding either side of the tummy tuck (near the hips) rather than in the central portion. The theory is to place minimal tension on the center of the incision and move it towards the outer portions of the incision.

There is another option you should consider, called the Progressive Tension Suture method. This technique also involves putting the tension on the deeper fascia layer, but distributes it over the whole area for better shaping and faster recovery. The size of the scar is the same as the standard tummy tuck, shorter than the high lateral tension.

The high lateral tension tummy tuck was one of the first procedures developed to address skin excess after significant weight loss or pregnancy using a certain layer in the deeper tissue to support and maintain the repair. The procedure includes tummy tuck in the front of the abdomen, and transfers the lift over the hip to the side of the thigh to improve contour in this area, the high 'lateral' tension to suspend and improve hip and thigh. You can simulate the effect by grabbing the skin on the side of your waist and pull up like putting on a pair of pants. Many surgeons incorporate some of the concepts of this procedure into tummy tuck generally today, and we do not hear reference to high lateral tension anymore. Make certain your surgeon knows what your concerns and expectations are, so they can be addressed and incorporated into your tummy tuck procedure.Best of luck,peterejohnsonmd