Three Tummy Tuck Terms

You may find yourself with a paunch that won’t budge. Popular after pregnancy, a tummy tuck can help restore the flat stomach you had before (or never quite had in the first place). Here, the three types of abdominoplasty your surgeon might suggest.

Full: In addition to the incision across the lower abdomen, a traditional tummy tuck also utilizes an incision around the belly button. During this procedure, excess skin is removed, muscles are tightened, and liposuction may be used to contour. This is a more extensive operation that essentially removes the skin from above the belly button down to the public area that’s been compromised by pregnancies, genetic laxity, or obesity.

Mini: To restore a flat stomach, one incision is made in the pubic area, ranging from a few inches to across the abdomen. Through the incision, your surgeon will remove excess skin, tighten slack muscles, and perhaps use liposuction to further refine the area. The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck has most of his or her issues below the belly button, and it is usually recommended for patients who have always been in pretty good shape but have plateaued with diet and exercise.

Extended or High Lateral Tension: A regular tummy tuck doesn’t address anything past the scar. For this reason, if you have excess skin in the love handle or hip area, the scar needs to be made longer. This variation is great for addressing love handles when liposuction doesn’t help.