About Extended Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you are extremely overweight, there are so many advantages to losing that excess body mass. For one, having a more ideal body mass reduces your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and other health issues. Whether you lose this weight through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, it’s simply better for your health overall.

Many patients who lose a substantial amount of weight will notice problems with their body contour, such as loose skin, stretch marks, and issues with body shape. The only way to remove this excess skin and tissue and improve body appearance is to meet with a plastic surgeon for body sculpting surgery. One important option to consider is the extended tummy tuck.

About Traditional Tummy Tuck Surgery

Before looking at the extended tummy tuck, it may be best to consider the traditional tummy tuck first.

Also known as an abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is a surgery that helps tighten the skin of the lower abdominal area through careful tissue removal and revision. During the tummy tuck, three incisions are made in a shape not unlike a ship anchor:

• A lateral incision along the lower abdomen that spans from one hipbone to another
• A circular incision located around the belly button
• A vertical incision that connects the previously listed two

Through these incisions, a cosmetic surgeon adjusted underlying structure and removes excess skin.

How the Extended Tummy Tuck Differs

The extended tummy tuck is just like the traditional tummy tuck in terms of overall philosophy. The main difference is the extent of the lateral incision. By extending the size of the lateral incision, a greater amount of body contouring is possible.

The Ideal Candidates for Extended Tummy Tuck Surgery

The best candidates for the extended tummy tuck are people who have lost a substantial amount of weight and are not good candidates for a traditional tummy tuck. These patients should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations about the surgical process and what it can achieve.

The Extended Tummy Tuck Procedure

The extended tummy tuck is performed under general anesthetic in order to prevent distress or undue discomfort for the patient.

The size of the lateral incision will vary from patient to patient. In general, this incision will span from the back on one hipbone, along the side, along the lower abdominal area, along the opposite side, to the back of the other hipbone.

Total Body Lift After Major Weight Loss

Following major weight loss, many patients will notice body contouring issues all over their body. In order to address these, there are many other surgeries that can target the flanks, the buttocks, the extremities, the upper torso, and parts of the face. You and your surgeon can discuss the possibility of a total body lift in more detail during your visit.

Learn More About Extended Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you would like to learn more about extended tummy tuck surgery and your other options available for advanced body contouring and sculpting, be sure to contact our cosmetic surgery centers serving San Francisco today. With locations in Greenbrae, Petaluma, and Davis, we can help patients through the Bay Area and Northern California get the aesthetic enhancement that they need.