"Tummy Tuck" or Abdominoplasty after weight loss
After successful weight loss through diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery, the skin of the abdomen can become lax. This excess skin can be quite severe in some cases. An abdominoplasty involves the removal of this excess skin and repair of the underlying muscles which have become weakened. This procedure is commonly combined with liposuction of the flanks and thighs.
The scars are well hidden below underwear or bathing suits. Sometimes, in cases of severe skin laxity, a midline incision may be used to obtain the best possible contour.
After Weight Loss + Abdominoplasty - 5 + Abdominoplasty - 2 + Abdominoplasty - 1 (massive weight loss)
An abominoplasty was performed on this woman resulting in dramatic improvement in the contour of her abdomen. The excess skin and underlying fat was removed and the abdominal muscles were tightened.
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The scar may run from hip to hip depending on the amount of skin to be removed, but it is kept low and is easily hidden beneath panties or a bathing suit. In general, the more skin that needs to be removed, the longer the scar will be.
Not exactly. Your own belly button is left attached, however, it is brought out through a new hole made in the skin. This "new" belly-button is usually much more "youthful" in appearance and overall more pleasing.
Most scars on the lower abdomen can be incorporated into the tissue that is removed. Therefore, the old scar will be removed and be replaced by the new tummy tuck scar.
Liposuction can be safely performed on the "flanks" during this procedure. Liposuction on the abdomen is avoided at the same time because of significant risk for complications. Liposuction of the abdomen may be performed several months before, or several months after an abdominoplasty in order to optimize the results.
A "mini" abdominoplasty refers to a variation of a standard abdominoplasty. A "mini" utilizies a shorter incision and therefore results in a shorter scar. The belly button is not moved, so there is no scar around the belly button. This procedure is best reserved for someone that has a limited amount of laxity and excess skin below the belly button. If there is significant excess skin, or if there is laxity in the upper abdomen, a standard abdominoplasty may be more suitable. Liposuction is often combined with a "mini" abdominoplasty to give a better result.
Ideally, you should be at your goal weight, but as we know, this is not always possible. The excess skin commonly adds upwards of 20 pounds to your weight. Also, this excess skin can interfere with you ability to exercise, making continued weight loss unlikey if not removed.
The most important thing is that your weight be stable...even if you are not at your goal.
Yes. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is not dangerous to you or your baby. It may cause the skin to stretch out, resulting in some skin laxity. While this is usually not very severe, it may require revisional surgery to make the abdomen as flat as it was before the pregnancy. Ideally, it is best to wait until after having children to have a tummy tuck performed - this will minimize your chance of needed additional surgeries.