A tummy tuck comes in different forms and sizes. Since some patients will have more extra skin than others, the extent of a tummy tuck needs to match each patient’s needs. Below are the main types of tummy tucks and the situations they treat.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is essentially a smaller form of a standard tummy tuck. Instead of reaching hip-to-hip like a regular abdominoplasty incision, it tends to be between three and eight inches. It is similar to a C-section incision. Due to this less extensive incision, a mini tummy tuck only treats extra skin below the belly button. It also does not reposition or recreate the belly button.
This procedure is usually recommended for patients with a smaller amount of extra skin. Often, these patients appear thin for the most part with a small bulge in the lower abdomen.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is the one most commonly performed. It allows Dr. Jonov to remove extra skin from the entire lower abdomen and address diastasis recti across the entire abdomen. The incision is the standard hip-to-hip one associated with Vancouver abdominoplasty surgery.
The belly button is recreated and repositioned to match the new contours of the abdomen. If you have any amount of extra skin above the belly button, a standard tummy tuck is likely the right technique. Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction to further improve the results. It is also frequently part of a mommy makeover. Common liposuction areas include the waist, upper abdomen, and lower back.
Extended Tummy Tuck
Sometimes—especially after significant weight loss—a patient is left with many areas of extra skin. Occasionally, it can also bunch up along the hips and flanks. In these cases, Dr. Jonov can extend the incision around each hip to remove this extra skin for an improved contour. Otherwise, the surgery functions the same as a traditional tummy tuck.
An extended tummy tuck is recommended for patients who have a significant amount of extra skin along the hips and love handles. However, if the extra skin also extends onto the lower back, Dr. Jonov may recommend a lower body lift which includes a completely circumferential incision.
Fleur-de-lis Tummy Tuck
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck uses a regular tummy tuck incision and then adds a vertical one that may reach up to the waist area. The length of the vertical incision will depend on the extent of extra skin. It may also include a horizontal incision along the upper abdomen, emulating the look of a fleur-de-lis. Again, this procedure is usually performed on patients who have lost hundreds of pounds or otherwise have a large amount of extra skin.
Dr. Jonov is one of the foremost specialists in the fleur-de-lis tummy tuck in the Pacific Northwest. While it does come with more extensive and visible scarring, Dr. Jonov uses various techniques including Scar Protocol to help minimize scarring.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
A reverse tummy tuck is essentially a tummy tuck but for the upper abdomen. The incision is placed underneath the breasts or chest. It is not overly common since having extra skin bunch up in the area is rare, but it can occasionally happen. It also is sometimes combined with traditional abdominoplasty surgery.