Traditional vs. Mini Tummy Tuck
Weight gain and weight loss can have unexpected effects on your skin. Your skin can stretch out a great deal to accommodate added girth, but it can only shrink back so far if you lose a lot of weight. That could mean unwanted folds of skin and unsightly stretch marks. This is the nature of skin elasticity, and cosmetic surgery is sometimes the only way to treat this problem. When people lose a lot of weight, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is performed to remove drooping skin and tighten the abdominal region.
Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgeon Dr. Steven H. Wiener offers different kinds of tummy tuck to patients depending on their needs. With that in mind, the New Image Plastic Surgery team would like to compare the traditional tummy tuck with the mini tummy tuck. The results of each can be great but the amount of revision each surgery involves differs considerably.
About Traditional Tummy Tuck Surgery
A traditional tummy tuck is performed to address contour problems with the lower abdominal region. By removing excess skin and adjusting the underlying structures of the abdominal region, patients can reduce unwanted sagging and drooping of the abdominal skin, and also suffer from fewer stretch marks.
Incisions Made During a Traditional Tummy Tuck
During a traditional tummy tuck, there are three incisions made, creating an anchor shape. These incisions are as follows:
- A circular incision around the belly button
- A lateral incision along the lower abdomen that spans from hipbone to hipbone
- A vertical incision along the lower abdomen that connects the two previous incisions
Working through these incisions, a plastic surgeon can make all necessary adjustments to the lower abdomen.
Ideal Candidates for a Traditional Tummy Tuck
The best candidates for a traditional tummy tuck are people who have experienced major weight loss and subsequently have a lot of excess abdominal skin that hangs loose. The surgery is quite common among people who used to be obese or morbidly obese and women who have just had a child. In both cases, the abdominal skin has been stretched considerably and surgery is the best way to improve the aesthetics of the lower abdominal region.
About Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery
A mini tummy tuck works on similar principles as a traditional tummy tuck, designed to reduce loose skin around the abdominal region. It is designed for people who have only a little bit of loose and drooping skin to correct, which would not necessitate a full tummy tuck to achieve optimal results.
Incisions Made During a Mini Tummy Tuck
During a mini tummy tuck, the only incision made is typically the lateral incision from hipbone to hipbone. In these cases, all of the necessary adjustments and tissue removal can be accomplished along that incision. For some patients, the lateral incision may not even need to span from hipbone to hipbone.
Ideal Candidates for a Mini Tummy Tuck
As noted above, the ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck are patients who have just a little bit of abdominal skin that needs to be removed and adjusted in order to have an ideal abdominal contour. This usually covers people who were overweight and are now very slim, with just a bit of loose skin that will not go away.
Determining the Right Surgery for You
During the consultation process at our practice, we can help you determine the right surgical procedure to meet your needs. We will assess your current situation, go over your aesthetic goals, and offer an honest opinion on what type of tummy tuck would be best.
Contact New Image Plastic Surgery
For more information about tummy tuck surgery and whether or not it’s right for you, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center. Dr. Steven H. Wiener is here to help. You can reach us by phone at (480) 596-6886.