Glossary of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Terms
Tommy Tuck
Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck", is a cosmetic surgery procedure to make the abdomen more firm. Abdominoplasty surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the muscle of the abdominal wall. The ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is someone who is close to their ideal weight, but has loose abdominal skin and weakened abdominal muscles either from pregnancy or weight loss. Individuals with otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop a protruding abdomen with loose and sagging skin. Liposuction is commonly performed with abdominoplasty.
Depending on patient needs, there are different types of tummy tuck procedures. A “mini tummy tuck” addresses the area below the navel. The incision may resemble a C-section scar or be even smaller, depending on the amount of tissue being addressed. The “traditional tummy tuck” procedure improves the entire abdominal area, both above and below the navel. The incision extends from hip to hip and around the navel. An “extended tummy tuck” can also improve the appearance of love handles on either side of the hips, in addition to the abdominal area. A “circumferential abdominoplasty” is usually performed after massive weight loss to remove the apron of loose skin around the entire body. This procedure is also known as a “lower body lift”. The back portion of a circumferential abdominoplasty is also known as a “belt lipectomy” and may be performed as a separate procedure.
Call FACESplusTM at 858-453-7224 to learn more about cosmetic surgery, lasers, and non-surgical options.
