Abdominoplasty Incision

One or more incisions may be necessary to perform an abdominoplasty procedure. The initial tummy tuck incision begins with a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen. As this procedure requires cutting, a tummy tuck scar is a certainty.

Abdominoplasty procedures vary in scope, and are frequently divided into categories based on the severity of the procedure. A complete abdominoplasty can take one to five hours. A partial abdominoplasty, or mini-tuck, normally can be finished in an hour or two.

The full abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, involve a horizontal incision in the area between the pubic hairline and the navel. The shape of the incision, and its length, will be determined by the plastic surgeon according to the degree of correction necessary from the procedure. The surgeon will then enter though this incision and repair and suture weakened abdominal muscles, and remove excess fat. Excess tissue and skin is also removed. In some cases, a second incision around the navel may be necessary. The purpose of this incision is to remove excess skin of the upper abdomen.

The procedure for a complete, or full, abdominoplasty typically starts with an incision made from hip to hip just above the pubic area. Then, another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin. The skin is then detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures. After that, the surgeon removes the excess and closing the defect, tightens the remaining skin and fat. The belly button stalk is then brought out through a new hole and sutured into place, and liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture. Typically the patient will have dressing and sometimes a compression garment applied and any excess fluid from the site drained.

A partial, or mini, abdominoplasty will normally involve smaller incisions. The skin and fat of the lower abdomen are detached in a more limited fashion from the muscle fascia. The skin is stretched down and excess skin removed. The belly button stalk may be divided from the muscle below and the belly button moved lower on the abdominal wall. A portion of the abdominal muscle fascia wall is then tightened, and liposuction is often used to contour the transition zone. After all that, the flap is stitched back into place.

An extended abdominoplasty includes not only a complete abdominoplasty that extends to the fronts of the thighs and flanks (sides). There are also combination procedures, and an abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction contouring, breast reduction, breast lift, and occasionally hysterectomy, depending on the reason for the hysterectomy.

To find out if you are a good candidate for Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), consult with a plastic surgeon in your area today.