Tummy Tuck Options

Cost from $ 2,400

Cost with Financing $ 85 per month

Alternatives to Tummy Tuck Surgery

There are many tummy tuck alternatives offered in the field of plastic surgery.  Some individuals want to rid themselves of excess skin and fat on their abdomen, but for one reason or another they will not receive a tummy tuck.  For these people, alternative procedures can be the answer.  Whether an individual desires a less invasive surgery or non-surgical procedure, there are ways of achieving similar results without receiving a complete abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.  This article will go over the tummy tuck procedure and then explain several alternatives that are commonly used.

Tummy Tuck

In the tummy tuck procedure, surgeons create an incision along the pubic hair line between the hips.  They then surgically tighten the stomach muscles using sutures, after which they remove excess skin and fat in the abdominal area.  The final steps involve repositioning the navel and stitching the incisions closed.  Afterward, the patient is left with a smooth and flat stomach.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Mini Tummy Tuck

A common alternative procedure to a tummy tuck is the mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty.  This is also a surgical procedure but is less invasive than the standard complete abdominoplasty.  In this surgery, the physician makes a smaller incision and does not cut around the navel.  Those who receive a mini tummy tuck also often receive liposuction to maximize results.  The procedure is shorter than the traditional tummy tuck and requires less recovery time due to its less invasive structure.  Due to the nature of this surgery, results are less drastic than with a full tummy tuck.  However, they may be satisfactory for the patient’s needs and are a valid alternative to the full abdominoplasty. 

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Panniculectomy

Another procedure a prospective patient might consider in place of a tummy tuck is a panniculectomy.  In this procedure, the surgeon only removes excess skin and sometimes fat without tightening the abdominal muscles.  This is often recommended for individuals who have lost large amounts of weight, particularly through means such as weight loss surgery, and are left with a large portion of excess abdominal skin.  Thus, it may be the preferable surgery for people concerned primarily about ridding themselves of excess skin and not necessarily about tightening their stomachs. 

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Extended Abdominoplasty

For those who desire abdominoplasty with additional treatment, there is the extended abdominoplasty.  This involves a complete abdominoplasty along with a lateral thigh lift.  The lateral thigh lift requires making an incision from the groin around to the back of the body and lifts both the thigh and the buttocks.  Thus, the patient will have a flatter stomach as well as a smoother buttocks and thigh.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck

The high lateral tension tummy tuck is different from traditional abdominoplasty in that the stomach muscles are tightened not only vertically but also horizontally.  This procedure may result in an even flatter stomach and better defined waistline for the patient.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Floating Abdominoplasty

Floating abdominoplasty, or FAB technique, is also called extended mini abdominoplasty.  Surgeons create a smaller incision and remove the excess skin, detaching the navel and leaving it floating above the muscles during the procedure.  They also tighten and reshape the abdominal muscles.  While very similar to the tummy tuck procedure, this may be a better procedure for some because the incision is smaller and there is no incision made around the belly button.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Circumferential Abdominoplasty

The circumferential abdominoplasty is an extended abdominoplasty along with a buttocks lift.  It can also be called a body lift or belt lipectomy.  The resulting scar goes all the way around the body and is only recommended for specific cases.  Because it is highly invasive, this procedure is most used on individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight. 

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Liposuction

Liposuction is another alternative to tummy tuck surgery.  In liposuction, a physician makes small incisions and inserts a narrow tube through the skin to vacuum out fat deposits.  This is more often recommended for individuals who need only lose fat and are not also concerned about removing excess skin and tightening the stomach muscles.  It is often used to accompany tummy tuck surgery in order to amplify the results of the tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives: Abdominal Etching

Abdominal etching is a similar process to liposuction, but does not involve the removal of fat deposits.  Rather, the inserted tube is used to create indentations in the abdominal muscles to create the appearance of a “six-pack”.  This is more often used for those individuals concerned with the musculature of their stomachs rather than removing extra skin and fat.

There are many options to consider for individuals seeking alternatives to receiving a tummy tuck.  Each has unique risks and benefits associated with it.  Which of these tummy tuck alternatives is best depends on the patient’s situation.  Cosmetic surgeons urge individuals to discuss them with their personal physician and meet with multiple plastic surgery specialists to determine the proper course of action.