Which Tummy Tuck is Right for Me?

Men and women often develop stubborn areas of fat as they age, which are typically around the “love handles” and abdomen. Those who’ve gone through pregnancy and childbirth or massive weight loss struggle with that excess fat but also loose, sagging skin. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a great way to address these issues as regular diet and exercise won’t do the trick. Our Kansas City plastic surgeon offers the full tummy tuck and a less invasive “mini” tummy tuck. The right procedure for you depends on the area of your abdomen you struggle with and the amount of loose skin.

What is a Full Tummy Tuck?

The traditional abdominoplasty procedure involves excising loose skin in the upper and lower abdominal regions and tightening the underlying muscles that have been stretched out due to pregnancy or weight gain. Dr. Young performs the procedure differently as he believes your plastic surgery should be tailored to suit your individual needs. He works extensively on muscle repositioning and tightening to ensure you have a flatter, hourglass body contour.

Our board-certified plastic surgeon performs tumescent liposuction as part of our full tummy tuck, which involves small incisions in the abdomen and lower back to remove excess fat from the hips and flanks (love handles). For the muscle tightening, Dr. Young makes incisions along the underwear line and reshapes the abdominal wall. Lastly, the loose skin in the upper and lower abdomen is removed via another incision at the belly button.

Candidates for a full tummy tuck have stubborn fat and sagging skin on the upper and lower stomach and waist, are done having children and breastfeeding and are in overall good health. You’ll need two weeks away from work and help at home with small children to ensure you recover properly.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

The mini tummy tuck procedure is essentially the same as the traditional abdominoplasty except the belly button incision isn’t necessary. Dr. Young removes fat from the love handles and hips, but his main concern is the front, lower area of the abdomen where men and women often develop a “pooch” due to age or childbirth. The mini tummy tuck still removes excess skin but much less than its full counterpart.

Candidates for a mini tummy tuck have minimal sagging skin and loose abdominal muscles, and their main problem area is the lower stomach. You must be at least 18 years old, in overall good health and have the time available to recover. It’s also important to have realistic expectations for what plastic surgery can accomplish.

Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation in Kansas City

If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, please contact Advanced Cosmetic Surgery in Kansas City today at (913) 341-2188 to schedule your consultation. Our board-certified plastic surgeon serves patients in surrounding areas of Kansas and Missouri including Leawood and Leawood.