But the great news is that we have a procedure that can help those area of fat to shift – abdominoplasty, or as it’s better know, a tummy tuck. This type of surgery can be a great way to get rid of fat and loose or excess skin on your abdomen.
Because every one of us is unique, there’s a range of tummy tuck procedures, each of which can be used to correct different kinds of tummies, so we can tailor your surgery to help achieve the results that you’ve been looking for.
Ready to discover more about the tummy tuck techniques on offer which can smooth and flatten different types? Then read on…
Tummy tuck techniques
The mini tummy tuck
To carry out this type of abdominoplasty, your surgeon makes a small incision close to your bikini line, so that the small scar can be easily hidden afterwards. A mini tummy tuck can be used to remove excess fat and skin from your lower abdomen and tighten the underlying muscles.
The full tummy tuck
This is the most common type of abdominoplasty. It addresses excess fat and skin on the upper and lower parts of the abdomen – your surgeon will remove surplus fat from these areas, and pull the remaining skin together tightly. Afterwards, you’ll have two scars, and these will fade over time.
The extended tummy tuck
Although this procedure’s similar to a full tummy tuck, it’s more suited to people who have lost a significant amount of weight. It addresses excess skin, fat, tissue and muscle laxity, not just in the abdomen area, but also in the flanks or lower back. The incisions made by the surgeon extend around the back, allowing for more excess skin and fat to be removed.
The Fleur de Lis tummy tuck
The Fleur de Lis tummy tuck is very similar to the full tummy tuck, as it removes skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen. The main difference is that this technique removes skin from across the abdomen too, and so will result in an extra scar down the abdomen which will fade over time.
Tummy types
The post-pregnancy tummy
Also known as a ‘mummy tummy’, this tummy usually falls low, below your waistline. It’s caused by the stretching and relaxing of the rectus abdominis (the ‘six-pack’) muscles and the connective tissue that holds them together. Thes issues can be addressed with a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck, both of which will tighten loose skin and the underlying muscles.
The post-weight loss tummy
Losing a lot of weight can mean that you’re left with excess skin on your abdomen, because you’ve lost the fat that stretched the skin and weakened its elasticity. A full tummy tuck can be used to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin caused by weight loss. An extended tummy tuck or a ‘fleur de lis’ tummy tuck may also be options for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.
The hormonal tummy
This type of tummy has excess fat around the abdomen because of the production of certain hormones. The menopause, for example, can cause weight gain around the abdomen. A full tummy tuck can be a good way of reducing a hormonal belly as it removes excess fat and tightens the skin and muscles.
Is a tummy tuck right for you?
If you’ve been thinking about a tummy tuck and would like to find out more about what’s involved, all you have to do is book your free consultation with a member of our friendly patient advisor team They’ll give you the answers you need and help you understand more about what’s involved.