Tummy Tuck surgery at Elite Plastic Surgery in Miami is an outpatient procedure in which general anesthesia is administered. Abdominoplasty requires a horizontal incision above the pubic hairline generally extending from hipbone to hipbone. The volume of skin to be removed will determine the nature of the incision. The abdominal skin is then separated from the abdominal muscles and drainage tubes are placed under the skin to remove excess fluid after reattachment.
Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the abdominal wall is tightened with sutures to repair the weakened muscles. The tightening of the abdominal muscles serves to snatch the waist, similarly to the effects of a compression garment. Then, the skin is pulled down so that the excess skin can be extracted and the incision can be sutured together to close it. Afterwards, an incision is made to reposition the belly button, which is pulled through and sutured in place. Finally, tape and adhesives are placed on the closed incision to facilitate the healing process, along with a dressing and/or compression garment. A few days after surgery, your surgeon will remove the drains.
In addition to the standard Tummy Tuck surgery, there are other variations of the procedure that address specific cosmetic goals. It all depends on your particular situation and needs. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, abdominoplasty can take between two and five hours.
Mini Tummy Tuck, or partial Tummy Tuck, is used to treat a smaller area of fat deposits and excess skin of the abdomen. This procedure requires a shorter incision below the naval and usually there is no need to reposition the belly button. As with a full Tummy Tuck, excess skin is removed and the two remaining skin areas are reattached forming a flatter abdomen. The smaller incision allows for a quicker recovery. A mini Tummy Tuck is most effective for patients who suffer from excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck, also called a body lift or belt lipectomy, is performed when in addition to excess abdominal skin and fat, there is excess back fat. The procedure provides full 360 degree contouring, targeting the stomach, hips, waistline and back. Thus, the incision for this procedure is all around the waistline. The excess skin and fat is removed and then the upper and lower skin tissue is reattached creating smoother tighter surfaces all around. As with a standard Tummy Tuck, the abdominal wall is also tightened.
Extended Tummy Tuck is when a standard Tummy Tuck expands to include the region of the hips and flanks. The procedure was developed to tackle problematic love handles in addition to a protruding abdomen.