Circumferential tummy tuck (Body Lift)

What is a Body Lift or Circumferential tummy tuck?

This procedure can be thought of as a full tummu tuck and a buttock lift. The incision goes all the way around the waist, hence the term circumferential, and helps remove skin laxity from the tummy, the hips, and the buttocks. The result is usually flattening and tightening of the tummy and lifting of the hips/thighs and buttocks. The tummy tuck component of the procedure is performed in similar fashion as a full tummy tuck with liposuction where needed, and muscle tightening to help flatten the tummy.

Who is a candidate for a Body Lift?

Patients with a lot of excess skin and soft-tissue laxity are good candidates for the Body Lift procedure. Often, candidates for a body lift have had some degree of weight loss either from bariatric surgery or from regular dieting.

Where are the incisions?

The incision is hidden in the underwear line around the waist and is very well tolerated. In certain circumstances, an additional vertical incision is made in the middle to reduce the laxity from side-to-side. This is done when there is a previous vertical incision and/or there is tremendous amount of laxity and the patient wants maximum correction and tightening.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Liposuction and the Tummy Tuck

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the process of removing fat by using small cannulas that are inserted through tiny incisions in the skin. It is one of the most powerful discoveries in body contouring. Liposuction goes by many names these days including laser assisted lipo (LAL), ultrasound assisted lipo (UAL), power assisted lipo (PAL), etc. All of these modalities have differences and similarities, the final component, however, is always the use of tiny incisions to access fat underneath the skin.

Is there a role for Liposuction in Tummy Tucks?

Liposuction is an almost indispensible tool for giving the very best results possible for the tummy tuck procedure. Although not every tummy tuck candidate benefits from liposuction during the tummy tuck procedure, I would estimate that 90+ percent do.

How is Liposuction beneficial in Tummy Tucks?

In three different ways:

1) To thin the abdominal soft-tissue apron. Remenber, part of the primary goal of the tummy tuck procedure is to "Thin". Despite the fact that tissue will be removed with the tummy tuck procedure, the remaining tissue may and frequently is still relatively thick from an ideal cosmetic result standpoint. Liposuction can be used to uniformily thin the fat of the abdomen.

2) To contour the areas near the abdomen. The tummy tuck procedure will improve the contour of.......the abdomen. Frequently, the areas of the flank, hips, thighs, and near the bra/breast area may appear in contrast to the now improved tummy tuck contour. Liposuction can be used to contour these areas so that not only does the abdominal contour and silhouette look great, but your whole trunk area looks thinner, uniform, and beautiful.

3) To scultp the abdominal surface. I frequently will emphasize the vertical groove in the middle of the abdomen by using liposuction. This groove is sometimes referred to as the "Champagne Groove". (Google it for a colorful explanation). This is a very important part of the attractiveness of the abdomen, so I strive to create or improve it's appearence.

Are there some patients who are not candidates for Liposuction during their Tummy Tuck?

The short answer is yes. Some patients are higher risk for healing following tummy tuck. Patients who are heavy smokers, certain abdominal scars that may interrupt the blood supply to the abdominal skin and soft-tissue, etc., may not be candidates for the use of liposuction of the abdominal soft-tissue itself. Of course, liposuction can still be used in the areas around the abdomen to improve the overall contour of the trunk, but liposuction of the abdominal soft-tissue itself at the same time of the tummy tuck should be used with caution in this group of patients that present with increased risk of healing issues.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Before we discuss specific tummy tuck techniques

In order to understand the pros and cons of each different tummy tuck technique, we have to understand what a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure is designed to accomplish.

Although the needs of each individual may be different, the final optimal outcome of all abdominal contouring procedures is very similar. These include:

1) Removal of excess skin and fat
2) Tightening of the abdominal wall
3) Rejuvenating the appearance of the belly button or umbilicus
4) Improving the overall contour and silhouette of mid-drift
5) And finally, doing all this with scars that are thin and well concealed by swimwear, undergarments, and summer wear.

As one of the leaders in body contouring has told me, "the goal is to thin, tighten, and flatten".

The different tummy tuck techniques that exist are selected based with the above goals in mind and tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Since the unique characteristics of a 30 yo females body which for example has had two kids defers from that of a patient who has experienced significant weight loss, the tummy technique that will best be able to accomplish the above goals will naturally be dramatically different as well.

We will start later this week with mini abdominoplasty and progressively advance to more extensive tummy tuck techniques.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Welcome

This is the first entry in what I hope will become the primary site for information sharing concerning the tummy tuck procedure. I encourage anyone with questions, concerns, or information regarding tummy tuck to post here.

The tummy tuck procedure can be a wonderful way to rejuvenate the appearance of the abdomen. In the words of one of my mentors, the tummy tuck procedure can "thin, tighten, and flatten" the shape and contour of the abdomen. Since every patient and abdomen is different, a unique tummy tuck technique must be selected to deliver the best result possible.

Recently released, The Atlas of Abdominoplasty, is a comprehensive plastic surgery textbook on the tummy tuck and the related body contouring procedures. It is 15 chapters and covers all of the different tummy tuck techniques. In addition to sharing information and answering questions I will periodically post the details about each unique type of tummy tuck procedure, the ideal candidate, the recovery process, as well as some of the pros and cons associated with each procedure.

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta