Which Type of Tummy Tuck is Right for You?

A tummy tuck, or an abdominoplasty, removes excess skin from the abdominal area. There are three main types of tummy tuck surgery: the mini tummy tuck, the standard tummy tuck, and the extended tummy tuck.

The Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck removes a smaller portion of excess skin, and the incision is generally shorter. Because a mini tummy tuck is a minor surgery compared to a standard tummy tuck, the naval doesn’t usually have to be repositioned. Recovery time for the mini tummy tuck typically lasts less than a week.  Good candidates for a mini tummy tuck are in good health, physically fit, and want to get rid of a small amount of excess skin, due to gravity, aging, or minor weight loss.

The Standard Tummy Tuck

Commonly, patients undergoing a standard tummy tuck have recently experienced significant weight loss, or are women who have weak abdominal muscles and excess skin due to pregnancy. In a standard tummy tuck, the incision is larger than that of a mini tummy tuck. The naval is usually also repositioned due to the larger amount of skin being removed. The average recovery time is two to four weeks. Good candidates for a standard tummy tuck are in good physical health, and have a sizable amount of excess skin that needs to be removed from their abdominal areas.

The Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck is for those who have a significant amount of sagging skin on their abdomen, hips, and sides of their lower back. They may also have extra fat that needs to be removed with liposuction techniques, along with the excess skin. The naval is repositioned during surgery for more natural results. The recovery time for an extended tummy tuck consists of one to two days in the hospital, and physical activities may resume within a month.

However, with any tummy tuck technique, recovery times will vary from patient to patient. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to ensure an optimal recovery.

If you are located in the Palm Harbor, FL area, and are interested in a tummy tuck, contact Dr. Moraitis today!