What is an anchor tummy tuck? (Photo)

Question

What excactly is an anchor tummy tuck? Is it more expensive then a normal tummy tuck? I've seen one surgeon who said that he would perform that for me but other surgeons give me different answers I believe I do need it as I do have skin above the belly button

Rodger Shortt, FRCSC · Answer

An anchor includes a vertical as well as horizontal scar.  There are few settings where I believe that it is a good trade off.  No doubt you can get significant skin tightening, but there are options that will provide a better outcome in most cases if you do not use a vertical scar.  To me a good outcome is one that allows you to walk down a beach in a bikini without strangers knowing you had surgery.  This requires a hidden scar and a nice belly button.  There is no possible way to hide the vertical scar in a bikini.  If someone doesn't already have a vertical scar from a past surgery I would suggest you consider its pros and cons very carefully with your surgeon.  An extended or circumferential abdominoplasty (body lift) would typically be my preference.  From the limited photo I would suggest avoiding the vertical scar in your case. Obviously a surgeon that has examined you can tell better.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

It is a tummy tuck that includes a vertical scar as well as a typical horizontal scar.  You have a lot of excess skin circumferentially, and I am assuming that is why the PS recommended that incision.  Best of luck!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

A tummy tuck (with muscle repair) with liposuction of the flanks would produce the best result.  More illustrative pictures or an exam would be necessary for further elaboration.Find
 a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each year, has great reviews, and has great before and after 
pictures.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

You are a perfect candidate for an Extended tummy tuck and that means, that the very low incision right above the pubic area will be extended further back ( couple inches only) in order to get rid of the saggy skin on your abdominal area and also sides to avoid dog ears. In my opinion will be needed also a tight muscle repair in order to create a flatter abdomen and tapered waist. Be encouraged. You will be loving your results and enjoying your curvaceous body!!dr. Cardenas

Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS · Answer

An anchor tummy tuck is also called a fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty and this involves a vertical incision as well as a low horizontal incision.  The purpose of the vertical incision is to gather skin excess in the horizontal direction and allow adequate shaping of the midsection when there is a lot of extra tissue here.  The usual scenario for this operation are patents who have had a massive amount of weight loss and have redundant extra skin throughout their trunk.Developing a customized operation is best done for you in a consultation where your tissue can be examined and pinched and your specific concerns can be addressed.  From your photo it looks as though you MIGHT benefit from an anchor tummy tuck, but best to get a few opinions from board certified plastic surgeons and go with the surgeon with whom you are most comfortable.

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for the picture.This is the technique in which it targets not only skin laxity at the bottom but all the vertical sides as well. An incision would come down from above the belly button and meet with the horizontal incision below the belly button around the pubic area. This last incision will depend on each patients physical features, in some cases it's above the pubic line.Dr. Campos

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Anchor TT or the "fluer de lies" TT is both a horizontal incision and vertical incision TT. Best to post better photos so we could advise you better..

Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for allowing me to answer your question. It is difficult to tell from your photo exactly how much excess skin you have but the anchor approach is used when there is a lot of excess skin in the central abdomen that cannot be pulled tight enough with a standard low transverse scar. The downside is the vertical scar in the midline of your abdomen. This can only be answered after a proper exam and assessment of your abdominal skin tone. I would recommend seeking the opinion of a board certified plastic surgeon who performs all types of abdominoplasties. Good luck with your surgery.

Michael Zarrabi, MD · Answer

There are approximately six different tummy tuck/abdominoplasty procedures that I perform. Each tummy tuck procedure is particularly tailored to the specific anatomy and wishes of the patient. It's very difficult to make specific recommendations for you based on one photograph. A good plastic surgeon should listen to your areas of concern and tailor and operation that is specifically designed for your body to satisfy your needs goals and expectations.An anchor tummy tuck or Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is one that also incorporates a vertical scar in addition to the low transverse/horizontal scar. The advantage of this technique is that it allows more skin to be removed in a side to side fashion as opposed to the traditional top-down pull of a tummy tuck. The disadvantage of this technique is that it will give you a permanent scar that goes up-and-down on your tummy. My personal preference looking at your photograph is to not do that type of operation. I only do this for individuals with extreme weight loss and significant amount of excess skin.

Peter Fisher, MD (retired) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  An anchor tt includes a vertical incision as well as the normal low horizontal incision.From your photo it appears that you have had significant weight loss.  It also appears that you have significant loose skin high on your abdomen. More photos are needed to be more definitive, but from what I can see you would do best from a lower body lift which gives you a tt, mons lift, lateral thigh lift and buttock lift.  A buttock auto-augmentation can also be done then if wanted or needed. A 360 degree incision is used fore this. I believe you may also need a reverse tt to get rid of your upper abdominal skin at a later stage. You should consult with a ps who specializes in in post weight loss body contouring. Peter Fisher M.D.

What is an anchor tummy tuck? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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