Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the abdomen and flanks. This smooths the midsection using a longer incision than that of traditional tummy tucks. Surgeons perform this surgery for patients who have large amounts of excess tissue and loose skin that collects around their hips and the front of their abdomen. Extended tummy tucks can provide more comprehensive body contouring after childbirth or massive weight loss.

Dr. John T. Alexander II is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with a passion for safe and effective treatments for every patient. He performs all major cosmetic procedures at Alexander Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego. They take pride in offering life-changing services and treatments like tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast augmentation.

If you are ready to schedule a tummy tuck consultation, you may call us at (858) 455-7557 or fill out this online form to get started.

What is An Extended Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty has remained a staple in body contouring since the 1960s. ⁽¹⁾ Typically, it addresses the area in between both hips and up toward the belly button. The surgeon makes an incision just above the pubic area that extends from one hip bone to the other, then undermines the skin to access the abdominal wall. A traditional tummy tuck smooths and contours the front of the midsection, but does not address a patient’s flanks (sides). When Dr. Alexander performs extended abdominoplasties, he elongates the incision to incorporate the flanks and tighten the area above the hip bones.

Extended Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

To improve a patient’s results, abdominoplasty can include liposuction. During this procedure, the surgeon uses long cannulas (hollow tubes) to suction out fatty tissue. The liposuction technology targets fat cells without damaging important internal structures like blood vessels and nerves. If liposuction is part of an extended tummy tuck, Dr. Alexander performs the fat removal after placing the incision for better control and visualization. Removing fat within the subcutaneous tissue using liposuction creates a “safe zone” that protects important femoral artery branches within the abdomen. ⁽²⁾

When a patient experiences significant weight gain or pregnancy, their abdominal muscles can widen down the middle. This condition is called diastasis recti. After removing excess fat, surgeons can then tighten the abdominal wall muscles to reinforce the patient’s core. They place internal sutures to reposition the muscles and straighten the contour of the abdomen before closing the external incision. ⁽²⁾

Benefits of Extended Abdominoplasty

An extended tummy tuck provides patients with a slimmer, more contoured abdomen. By removing excess skin and tissue, this procedure can greatly improve their self-confidence. A tummy tuck can make clothing fit better, allowing patients to feel more comfortable in their skin.

This procedure can also:

Ideal Extended Tummy Tuck Candidates

The ideal candidate for this procedure has excess skin and tissue collecting around the lower abdomen and flanks. They are in good overall health and at a stable and maintainable weight at the time of surgery. Patients who use tobacco and nicotine products should be willing to quit at least one month before their tummy tuck, and then avoid it completely during recovery. Candidates should have reasonable expectations and an optimistic outlook about their results.

Those with minimal excess skin and tissue around the abdomen may be better candidates for a traditional or mini tummy tuck. This is especially true if they do not have extra tissue on their sides. If you are curious whether you are a good candidate for an extended tummy tuck, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alexander today.

Personal Consultation at Alexander Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. Alexander will meet with you for a private consultation to discuss if an extended tummy tuck is right for you. During this meeting, he will perform a physical examination of the treatment area and inquire about your medical history. It is important to be completely candid with him about your cosmetic goals and expectations. He will use this information to create a customized procedure plan. This appointment will also provide time to ask questions and explore your surgical options with your doctor. After he explains the procedure in detail, a member of our staff will help you schedule your surgery.

Preparation

To best prepare for your extended tummy tuck you should first and foremost take good care of your body and mental health. Make sure to eat nutritious meals and keep yourself hydrated. We recommend creating a comfortable space in your home to recover. This may include making easy-to-prepare meals that you can eat during your downtime. You should also pick all new prescriptions written by your surgeon before your surgery date. This alleviates stress and allows you to focus on resting and recuperating.

Before surgery, patients should avoid:

Extended Abdominoplasty Procedure Steps

Dr. Alexander performs extended tummy tucks while patients are under general anesthesia. Each patient requires a slightly different approach to an extended abdominoplasty. Typically, the incision stretches from the middle of one side, down along the bikini line (lower waist), and up through the opposite side. This allows him to remove loose skin and fatty tissue from the sides to smooth the area. Then he makes a second incision around the belly button.

Next, Dr. Alexander undermines the skin and tissue of the lower abdomen up toward the bottom of the chest. He gains access to the abdominal wall, where he can place special sutures to repair the muscles and tighten the core. Then, he carefully removes the extra skin and pulls the remaining abdominal tissue down toward the lower waistline. From there, Dr. Alexander repositions the belly button and places deep, internal sutures throughout the entire abdomen to secure its new shape. Finally, he places a compression garment to curb swelling.

This procedure can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to complete depending on the patient’s circumstances.

Recovery

Your abdomen will be tight, swollen, and tender after surgery. Patients typically take at least two weeks off of work to initially recover from an extended tummy tuck. It is important to rest as much as possible and take short, gentle walks to keep your blood flowing. If Dr. Kaplan places small drains during surgery to prevent fluid build-up, he removes these after five to seven days. Wear your compression garment for the time recommended by Dr. Alexander. After three or four weeks of recovery, you may slowly reincorporate exercise into your daily routine. Please avoid any heavy lifting or excessive bending at the waist to prevent straining your incisions. It may take up to three months for your swelling to completely dissipate.

Complementary Procedures

Breast Lift

For patients who have lost weight or given birth, the abdomen is not the only area of the body that goes through changes. A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that removes loose skin from the breasts to recontour and lift the chest. If you experience breast ptosis (sagging), this surgery can greatly improve the shape of the breasts and reposition the nipples higher on the mound. Dr. Alexander typically reduces the size of the areola to further restructure this area. He can also combine a breast lift with a breast reduction to remove tissue and reduce the size of the chest.

Mommy Makeover

Dr. Alexander can combine multiple surgeries into one procedure, referred to as a mommy makeover, to achieve comprehensive body contouring. This method typically includes a tummy tuck, breast augmentation/lift/reduction, and liposuction to improve the appearance of the torso. If you have excess skin in areas other than the abdomen, this procedure technique may be a better fit for you to address multiple cosmetic concerns at one time.

Cost of an Extended Tummy Tuck in San Diego

Every patient receives a customized treatment plan during their consultation. A knowledgeable member of the Alexander Cosmetic Surgery team provides your estimated cost during this time. Schedule yours today by calling (858) 455-7557. We hope to hear from you soon!

FAQ

References

1. Shestak KC. The Extended Abdominoplasty. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014;41(4):705-713. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2014.07.001
2. Brauman D, van der Hulst RRWJ, van der Lei B. Liposuction Assisted Abdominoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2018;6(9):e1940. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000001940