What Exactly is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction?

Patients with an unwanted bulge in their lower abdomen often wonder- should I get liposuction or an abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck).  Liposuction is a shorter procedure with minimal scarring and downtime and is a great procedure for the right patients. We love doing this when we feel we can get a good result.    

Liposuction candidates need

• Stable weight
• Good quality skin that will retract (shrink) once the underlying fat is removed
• No overhang of the loose skin of the abdomen

Liposuction, Coolsculpting, and other fat removal techniques can achieve only minimal retraction of loose, inelastic skin.  Removal of fat in these patients can be achieved, but the overall appearance may not be improved as the skin may still appear loose or irregular.  If you have drooping skin, we wouldn’t advise these procedures- you’ll probably be disappointed.  

An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a larger procedure, with more downtime, but may be more suitable for many patients. The results of a tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, can be dramatic. Not only will it remove the excess fat but will tighten your skin and allow for the repair of the abdominal wall which may have been stretched by pregnancy. It is one of our favorite procedures here because we know how satisfied patients are with their transformation and results. If you’re considering a tummy tuck procedure, here are a few things to keep top of mind.

Who are The Best Candidates for Tummy Tucks?

Cosmetic abdominoplasty is best suited for those patients who are otherwise healthy, at a stable weight and are not significantly overweight. Proper diet and exercise after surgery will only improve your result.

What are the different types of tummy tucks?

Abdominoplasty is not just a single operation. Each patient needs to be individually evaluated to determine which type of abdominoplasty would best suit their needs. The quality of the skin, the strength of the abdominal wall, the amount of excess fat, and any underlying abnormalities (hernias, previous surgical scars, etc.) all need to be considered in choosing how the abdominoplasty will be performed. 

Limited abdominoplasty

This procedure is a bit more subtle than the traditional abdominoplasty. The scarring and skin removal are minimal, but we can still tighten your stomach muscles while removing a modest amount of fat and skin.

Full abdominoplasty

This “typical” abdominoplasty allows tightening and repair of the abdominal wall, removal of a significant amount of excess skin, removal of lower abdominal fat, and resetting and contouring of the umbilicus (belly button). The trade-off for this longer scar is better overall contouring of the abdomen than can be achieved through a short scar technique.

Extended abdominoplasty

When patients have a significant amount of excess skin, such as after significant weight loss, we may recommend an extended abdominoplasty. This longer incision typically extends all the way across the abdomen onto the side of the body, allowing more excess skin to be removed.

Circumferential abdominoplasty

When there is significant skin excess that extends all the way around the waist, we may suggest a circumferential procedure. This more extensive procedure leaves a scar that is long (most or all the way around the body) but can result in a dramatic improvement in patients with significant skin excess, especially after massive weight loss.

Panniculectomy

Panniculectomy is a more limited procedure. During a panniculectomy, we remove the excess skin and fat from the region between the umbilicus and the pubic bone (lower abdomen). The umbilicus is not repositioned and the muscles are not routinely tightened. This is a functional operation designed for those who are experiencing significant problems resulting from overhanging skin and fat (pannus) resulting in recurrent skin breakdown and infections. Although improvement in appearance is usually seen, the goal is really a functional one, not cosmetic. Insurance may sometimes cover this procedure, especially after significant weight loss.

Patients who require a panniculectomy for functional reasons but desire a better cosmetic result may be advised to undergo a full or extended abdominoplasty.

The No-Drain Tummy Tuck Procedure

Many people who have undergone abdominoplasty in the past said that having a drain was one of the most bothersome aspects of their recovery. We now find we are able to do all types of abdominoplasties without drains.

At our practice, tummy tucks are performed with no drain by a board-certified plastic surgeon. This means that during the tummy tuck procedure, the belly button is not completely removed and reconnected as in a traditional tummy tuck. Instead, we remove excess fat and skin while leaving the navel intact; this eliminates any need for drains after tummy tuck surgery.

During the preoperative consultation, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Thellman, will discuss this further with you as well as provide specific instructions on what you should do before tummy tuck surgery.

The Tummy Tuck Recovery Process

After tummy tuck surgery, it’s important to follow all instructions for a successful recovery process.

Once the tummy tuck is complete, you may experience swelling or bruising in the abdominal area; however, this should clear up over time. Depending on your individual case and healing progress, it’s possible that there could be additional visits required for follow-up care after the surgery.

The recovery process can differ per case. Patients usually require strong pain medications for the first few days and then will progress to less sedating drugs.

If your job requires a fair amount of physical activity, we suggest you plan on being off work for about 10-14 days. Of course, some patients may return faster but this can be hard to predict. We usually have our patients wear an abdominal binder or other supporting garments during their recovery to help support the repair of the abdominal wall.

What’s Next?

If you’re interested in learning more about tummy tucks or other plastic surgery options, get in touch with Lawrence Plastic Surgery.  Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Scott Thellman is here to answer any questions you may have and provide more detailed information about tummy tuck surgery. We look forward to helping you on your journey toward a healthier, happier lifestyle!

Be sure to check out the results we’ve helped patients achieve in our Before & After Gallery.