PROCEDURES
ABDOMINOPLASTY
FULL ABDOMINOPLASTY (FULL TUMMY TUCK)
During your consultation, Dr. Diaz will discuss which option is best for you.
ABDOMINOPLASTY PROCEDURES
MINI ABDOMINOPLASTY (MINI TUMMY TUCK)
A "Mini" Abdominoplasty (also called a "Mini Tummy Tuck") is a procedure for someone who has excess fat and looseness of the abdominal muscles but little loose or excess skin. This procedures differs from a "Full Tummy Tuck" in the amount of skin that is removed.
In a mini tummy tuck, only the skin below the level of the belly button is removed. Usually, it is only a small amount of loose skin located just above the pubic area. Everything else about the procedure is similar to a full tummy tuck. In most cases, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the excess fat is removed through direct removal and liposuction, just as in a full procedure.
Since only the skin below the belly button is removed, the belly button does not have to be separated from the rest of the abdominal skin. The belly button ends up being pulled down to a lower position when the excess skin is removed. This is discussed in more detail in the section called "Mini Tummy Tuck."
A Full Abdominoplasty ("Full Tummy Tuck") is a procedure designed to remove excess fat, tighten abdominal muscles, remove most stretch marks and remove all loose skin. Most women who have had multiple pregnancies will require this procedure to achieve the best result. Patients who have lost a large amount of weight also benefit from this procedure.
Loose skin, excess fat and most stretch marks are removed with this procedure. The abdominal muscles are also tightened. Liposuction is used to improve the shape of the waist.
Since all of the skin at the level of the belly button and lower is removed, the belly button must be separated from the surrounding abdominal skin. A new opening for the belly button must be made at the end of the procedure. This is discussed in more detail in the sections "Umbilicus (Belly Button)"and "Creation of New Umbilicus."