Who Is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Anyone may be a candidate for tummy tuck surgery. However, the most common abdominoplasty patients are women who’ve gone through pregnancy and men and women who’ve lost a significant amount of weight.
These changes can loosen the abdominal muscles, alter the contours of the skin, cause stretch marks and — in the case of cesarean deliveries (C-sections), for example — result in scarring. Patients generally want to tighten their ab muscles, smooth their tummies, and get rid of excess fat and skin.
Beyond individual goals, patients will also be assessed for surgery candidacy based on their health. In general, tummy tuck patients must be:
- At or near their ideal weight
- Non-smokers
- In good overall physical health
Types of Tummy Tucks
Below is a quick breakdown of the different types of tummy tuck surgery:
Full Tummy Tuck
This is standard tummy tuck surgery. It involves an incision made at the bikini line (often from hip to hip), internal tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles, and limited removal of fat with liposuction.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Mini tummy tucks concentrate more on the skin below the belly button. It’s a good option for people who have a small amount of loose skin at the bottom of the abdomen but good shape and contour on the upper abdomen. The procedure usually does not involve tightening of the underlying muscles or relocation of the belly button.
In some cases, the mini tummy tuck cost New York patients pay will be slightly less than the full tummy tuck surgery cost. The recovery may be shorter for mini tummy tucks as well.
Extended Tummy Tuck
This operation is best for people who have a significant amount of loose skin, usually from a large weight loss.
Because more skin needs to be removed, the incisions will be longer, usually extending past the hips. In some cases, the incision may even go up and down the middle of the abdomen (called a “fleur-de-lis” tummy tuck) and sometimes, all the way around the lower back (a “lower body lift”).
Smooth Tuck™
The Smooth Tuck™ is a procedure created by Dr. Schulman, so it is exclusive to his office. It is a modification of traditional tummy tuck surgery, but it offers higher volume liposuction and no muscle repair. This may be an option for people who require a more rapid return to normal activities or who may be considered too overweight for a traditional surgery and will need a plus size tummy tuck NYC.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
This is a less common type of tummy tuck in which the abdominal skin is pulled up, as opposed to down. This may be the best option for men and women who have excess skin above their belly buttons, but minimal skin below. The incision is made in the breast folds and the skin is removed in the upward direction.