Tummy Tuck vs. Extended Tummy Tuck
Are you wondering the difference between a “Tummy Tuck” and an “Extended Tummy Tuck”? Dr. Ronald DeMars, Portland Plastic Surgeon, has a busy tummy tuck practice and often informs patients of the difference.
Starting with the basics: a “Tummy Tuck”, also known as an Abdominoplasty, is done to tighten and flatten the tummy and is a popular part of the “Mommy Makeover”, which helps mothers regain their pre-pregnancy body. Tummy tucks are also common as a stand-alone operation for women and men who have undergone a major weight loss.
When patients come to Dr. Ronald DeMars with an interest in improving their abdomen they undergo a thorough consultation and examination to determine their needs and goals and then to create a surgical plan designed to help them reach those goals.
The standard Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is the most common variation of the procedure and includes removing the skin and fat between pubis and belly button as well as tightening damaged muscles. This is done with a long but very low scar easily hidden under swimwear or underwear. In the case of damaged muscles, most damage occurs when the “six-pack muscles”, also known as the Rectus Abdominus, become separated from each other. The muscle repair that Dr. DeMars performs during the Tummy Tuck surgery puts them back tightly together to help improve abdominal support and flatness. This corrects the changes of pregnancy or weight loss on the front of the abdomen.
A variation of the Standard Tummy Tuck is the Mini Abdominoplasty. This has a much shorter scar but does nothing to correct muscle separation and only takes away a part of the skin and fat below the belly button. The mini tummy tuck is not as frequently done because most patients need as much tightening and flattening as possible, but it is a worthwhile variation for the woman with only a modest amount of extra skin in the lower abdomen.
The Extended Abdominoplasty sometimes called a Lower Body Lift, is the corrective procedure used most commonly for patients, whether women or men, who have undergone massive weight loss. The scar goes completely around the abdomen so that Dr. DeMars can remove all the extra skin and fat not only from the tummy in front but also around the waist and across the lower back. Dr. DeMars can create a much better waist and overall tightening with the Extended variation.
If you are considering a Tummy Tuck for a younger, flatter and tighter tummy, you can make an appointment with Dr. DeMars for a personal evaluation by calling his Portland office at 503-253-3458.
