Tummy Tuck - The improvement in contour

Tummy tuck surgery is a procedure geared toward improving abdominal appearance. It is frequently done after childbirth or major weight loss. As a result of skin and muscle stretching from pregnancies, several changes occur. The skin becomes lax and may hang. The rectus muscles separate in the midline and bulge. A tummy tuck addresses the excess skin and fat of the abdominal wall and separation of the underlying rectus muscles.
While many people desire liposuction alone, liposuction will not address the redundancy or the stretching of the muscles. In someone with poor skin tone, often seen after multiple pregnancies and weight loss, liposuction can result in a relative hanging of the skin.



With tummy tuck, the improvement in contour must be weighed against the scarring that occurs with the skin removal. In a limited or "mini" tummy tuck, a shorter lower abdominal incision is used to tighten the muscle and remove a limited amount of lower abdominal skin. An extension of a C-Section scar is often used. This is particularly good when there is mostly lower abdominal skin excess and muscle prominence below the umbilicus. It can be combined with liposuction to potentially improve the result.
In a standard tummy tuck, the lower abdominal scar is longer and the excess skin and fat from the lowermost abdomen up to the umbilical region is removed. A scar is made around the umbilicus as well. This typically achieves the most dramatic change, but the contour improvement must be weighed against scar length. Following tummy tuck, the abdominal wall is usually flatter when viewed from the side. However, when viewed from the front, an hourglass figure, with a notably narrowed waist is not typically seen.
A variety of incisions have been described. Most scars are located centrally near the edge of the pubic hair line. Depending upon individual preferred style of bathing wear, a higher French cut or a lower transverse scar may be selected for outer scar position. A bathing suit outline may be marked at the time of surgical planning and the incision designed accordingly. It is important that the patient discuss her preferences with her surgeon.
After very major weight loss, a lower body lift may be considered. This procedure involves a circumferential scar of the trunk. However, the goals of a tummy tuck are usually accomplished, but in addition, there is some lifting of the outer thighs and buttocks. The scar that is longer than the tummy tuck scar is traded for an improvement in the drooping lower soft tissues.
A medial thigh lift is another body contouring procedure that addresses hanging skin and fat of the inner thighs. It is most appropriate when there has been weight loss resulting in hanging skin and in older individuals who have poor skin tone. In those people, liposuction alone could give the appearance of greater hanging of the skin. Therefore, liposuction in combination with inner thigh lift may give the best contour.
Your surgeon may prefer to combine ultrasound assisted liposuction with small cannula traditional liposuction in removing the excess fat of the thighs, abdomen, hip rolls and flanks.
For an optimally long-lasting result, it is suggested that the patient be on a diet and exercise program that will lessen the likelihood of significant weight gain following surgery. With stable weight and a fit lifestyle, contour improvement can be seen for many years. At the time of tummy tuck, accompanying procedures such as breast lift, augmentation or liposuction may be considered.