Abdominoplasty Performed Using the Extended Tummy Tuck Technique By Stuart Baker on September 15, 2014

There are few procedures in plastic surgery that can transform the figure as effectively as abdominoplasty or, as it is more popularly known, the tummy tuck. For patients who are looking to refine the contours of their bodies, tummy tuck surgery offers a potentially ideal solution, one that can be modified and customized to meet their unique needs and goals. Over the years, several techniques have been developed to give plastic surgeons even greater control over the results they produce for their patients.

Experienced, renowned plastic surgeon Stuart Baker has devoted his career to providing his patients with the precise results they have craved, putting their safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction above all else. He has mastered a variety of advanced techniques, including all of the major abdominoplasty techniques. At his plastic surgery practice, The Center for Cosmetic Medicine in Decatur, the extended tummy tuck technique is suitable for patients who wish to achieve dramatic results through abdominoplasty. If you want to address excess skin and deposits of fat around the entire abdominal region, extending to the lower back, then an extended tummy tuck may be the best surgical option for you.

What is an extended tummy tuck?

Every type of tummy tuck surgery, whether the mini tummy tuck, the full tummy tuck, or the extended tummy tuck, involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and the toning and tightening of the muscles underneath these layers. The primary difference between these techniques involves the scope of each. While a mini tummy tuck focuses on the region between the belly button and pubic area, and the full tummy tuck focuses on what we would call the entire “stomach” region, the extended tummy tuck also includes the flanks (i.e., the “love handles”), the upper hips, and the lower back.

During the procedure, Dr. Baker places multiple incisions in strategic areas, through which he removes excess fat and tightens muscles. He may at this point incorporate liposuction, as well. Afterward, he pulls the skin taut and excises any excess hanging skin. If necessary, he repositions the navel so that it looks completely natural given the patient’s new abdominal contours. He sutures the incisions closed, and the patients begin their recovery period.

Who is a candidate for extended tummy tuck surgery?

Suitable candidates for extended tummy tuck surgery should first of all understand that they are about to undergo a major, invasive surgical procedure with attendant risks, all of which will be thoroughly explained by Dr. Baker during their consultations. They should also:

Be in good enough health to undergo surgery
Be close to a healthy weight for their body type (abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure)
Have realistic expectations of their results
Be willing to follow all of the post-surgical instructions given to them by Dr. Baker
Be committed to leading a healthy post-surgical lifestyle in order to maintain their results