Tummy Tuck
Interested in cosmetic surgery to flatten your stomach? Then you’ve probably already started researching tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty), a popular surgery that removes and tightens belly skin for a firmer appearance. You may have also encountered a procedure called mini tummy tuck, which boasts a smaller incision and shorter recovery time. To help guide you in determining whether full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck is the appropriate choice for you, Dr. Donald Hause of Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery poses the following questions:
Where Is Your Excess Skin and Fat Located?
The main difference between a tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is the area it treats. A mini tummy tuck is limited to making changes beneath the belly button, whereas a traditional tummy tuck can improve the look of fat and loose skin above the navel as well. If your problem area is concentrated to a smaller strip of fat and skin below the navel, then you may be a strong candidate for a mini tummy tuck. However, if any changes should be made above the navel, then you should focus on the full surgery instead.
Are Your Abdominal Muscles in Good Condition?
Diastasis recti is a common condition where the abdominal (six-pack) muscles separate. Most women develop diastasis recti during pregnancy. The separation of these muscles creates the appearance of a pooch on the stomach.
One of the many benefits of tummy tuck is that it repairs the abdominal muscles to achieve a firm, toned appearance. Unfortunately, only a regular tummy tuck can shift and tighten the muscles. If your muscles need adjustment, or your muscles are a contributing factor to your belly protruding, a mini tummy tuck is not the right procedure for you.
How Close Are You to Your Goal Weight?
While a tummy tuck can remove small deposits of fat from the abdomen, it is chiefly concerned with tightening the loose skin around the midsection. If you have a significant amount of fat that you would like to eliminate from the stomach, then you may want to consider adding liposuction to the equation.
This classic weight loss surgery emulsifies stubborn fat cells and suctions them out permanently. Although this question does not directly help you decide between a full or mini tummy tuck (liposuction can be combined with either surgery), it is worth considering liposuction as part of your surgical plan since it is so frequently paired with abdominoplasty.
What Does My Surgeon Think?
To be candid, more people want mini tummy tucks that are suited to the procedure. Overall, most patients are candidates for the traditional tummy tuck. In fact, performing a mini tummy tuck on a patient who is a better candidate for a tummy tuck can produce unsatisfactory results. Some patients may find that their upper abdomen bulges unnaturally and that their belly button looks strange.
For great results, you should always look for a high-quality surgeon with an amazing patient portfolio. During a consultation, be sure to ask for a surgical plan that can address the changes you have requested.
Dr. Hause is a compassionate, skilled surgeon who has extensive experience performing tummy tucks: both full and mini. To discuss these procedures with Dr. Hause and work out a surgical plan that makes the most sense for your body, call (916) 646-6869 today.
