Abdominoplasty: Partial Vs. Complete - Which One Is For You?

So, you have decided that your stomach is too loose and flabby and you want to do something about it. You think a complete tummy tuck will fix it but you have heard of a mini tummy tuck as well. Which surgery is right for you? It is important to research both procedures and consult with your plastic surgeon about the pros and cons of each surgery.

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that reduces excess fat and tissue from the lower abdomen, tightens abdominal muscles, and smoothes and tightens the skin. This procedure should never replace a good diet or exercise and ought to be used to treat areas on the abdomen that resist change despite all your efforts.

Also, a tummy tuck is only for people that are within 30% of their ideal weight and are in good mental and physical health. It is also important to wait until your weight is stable and until you are finished having children, as future pregnancies would most likely negate any successful outcome.

Complete Abdominoplasty

A complete abdominoplasty requires that an incision be made from hip to hip along the bikini line. Through this incision the plastic surgeon tightens up the muscle wall and removes excess fat and tissue. Usually another incision is made circling the belly button allowing the surgeon to relocate the sagging belly button higher up on the abdomen. The pros and cons of this method are as follows:

Pros:
* It can make a bigger difference
* Larger patients can be treated, those within 10-30% of their ideal body weight.
* The belly button is repositioned

Cons:
* It is expensive - could cost as much as $15000
* There is a long recovery - sometimes it is six weeks before a patient can return to work and 3 months before any vigorous work may be done
* Hospital stay is generally required
* It may leave a long scar

Partial Abdominoplasty

A partial abdominoplasty is what people call a mini tummy tuck. It is for people within 10 % of their ideal weight and requires smaller incisions and removes less fat and tissue. The belly button is generally not address in this. The pros and cons of a partial abdominoplasty include:

Pros:
* It is less expensive than a complete tummy tuck
* The procedure is less invasive which results in a shorter recovery time
* It may be performed in an outpatient facility and require no hospital stay
* Smaller incisions mean smaller scars

Cons:
* Only patients that are within 10% of their ideal weight qualify
* The belly button is usually not touched.