Abdominoplasty Options - Which Tuck is Right for You?

An abdominoplasty is the medical name for a tummy tuck. If your tummy is looking less than fabulous these days and if you yearn for the taut and toned abdomen you used to have in days and years gone by then it may be time to consider having a tuck.

Abdominoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that is performed to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal region in order to give it a firmer and more toned look. Both the middle and the lower abdomen can be worked upon by the plastic surgeon. The fascia and muscle of the abdominal wall are tightened and this will result in a smoother and flatter tummy that does not protrude. A tuck is commonly sought after by women following pregnancies or by those who have lost a considerable amount of weight and now have loose and sagging skin.

If you wish to have a tummy tuck the questions then becomes, which one is most suitable for your body issues? There are three main types of tucks. You will not know which one is most suitable for you until you know what each one is about.

The Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck is the least invasive of the tummy tuck procedures and it sometimes referred to as the scarless tummy tuck. It is named as such because only a small or mini amount of skin is removed. As well the incision is smaller than the incisions made for the other types of tummy tucks.

If you are a slim individual who is healthy but you have a localized area of flab on your stomach that you cannot get rid of with healthy eating or physical activity then the mini abdominoplasty is a good choice for you. If that little bit of fat on your stomach has got you down then the mini is the most appropriate choice for you.

The Traditional Tummy Tuck

The traditional tummy tuck (also sometimes called the standard tummy tuck) is a good choice for both males and females who are in good health physically but who have a fair amount of loose skin in their abdominal areas that they wish to get rid of. If you have experienced multiple pregnancies and you now have abdominal muscles that are weak or you have excess flab that bothers you then the traditional tummy tuck can improve the appearance of your midsection tremendously.

With this type of abdominoplasty the incision is larger than it is with the mini tummy tuck and more skin is removed. In some instances minor liposuction may also be required.

The Extended Tummy Tuck

Those with the largest portions of loose and droopy skin on the abdomen would benefit from the extended tummy tuck. Those who also have loose skin on their hips and on the sides of their lower back can be helped in this manner because this abdominoplasty extends beyond the middle and lower abdomen. Liposuction is almost always required in this case because of the extra skin that needs to be removed as well as the excess fat. The liposuction procedure works in conjunction with the tuck to eliminate the excess fat cells as well as to drain the fluids from the areas being operated upon.