There are several different approaches to tummy tuck surgery. Your procedure will be customized based on your unique needs as a patient. During your personal consultation, one of our board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeons will evaluate your condition and listen closely to your cosmetic goals to determine which type of tummy tuck is right for you.
The three main types of tummy tucks are:
- Mini tummy tuck – This is used when you only need skin tightening below the belly button. A single incision is made directly above the pubic area, allowing scars to be easily hidden under clothing (including swimsuits). The length of this incision will depend on the amount of loose skin that needs to be removed.
- Full tummy tuck – A full tummy tuck is the standard procedure, designed to improve the contours of your entire abdomen. Two incisions are made: one above the pubic area, and one around the navel, so your surgeon can tighten the higher abdominal muscles as well as the lower ones and address excess skin and fat above and below the belly button.
- Extended tummy tuck – If you have loose skin in the love handle area, an extended tummy tuck can address this problem. This procedure is the same as a full tummy tuck, except the pubic incision may extend over your hips toward the back in order to allow the waist and hips to be altered. Sometimes, an outer thigh lift is combined with this procedure.
Certain patients may be candidates for a circumferential body lift, which involves an incision that extends all the way around your body. Loose skin is removed in the abdomen, waist, hips, and back. A buttock lift is usually included with this procedure. However, because it is a more invasive approach, a circumferential body lift is usually reserved for patients who have undergone massive weight loss in a short amount of time (e.g. through gastric bypass surgery).
If you have further questions about the tummy tuck procedure, please contact Marietta Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Atlanta tummy tuck surgeons. Call (770) 425-0118 for our Marietta GA office, or (678) 494-2380 for our Woodstock GA office.