Prime Plastic Surgery is an expert in extended tummy tuck surgical procedures, serving patients in the greater San Diego and Southern California area. Our team has helped patients regain personal confidence while achieving a more shapely appearance.
About
An extended tummy tuck follows the same principles and techniques of a regular tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, and helps dramatically improve the appearance of the core area due to significant extra skin and fat in the lower abdomen region.
The extended tummy tuck surgical body contouring procedure is available for both men and women. The primary difference between a regular and extended tummy tuck is the length of the scar incision and the amount of skin removed from the patient, which is more significant with an extended tummy tuck patient.
A horizontal incision is made along the bikini line, above the pubic hairline. The length of the scar and incision made will be long enough to properly remove all excess skin.
The skin is separated from the muscle up to the rib cage, and your surgeon pulls down the skin, trimming away excess. The belly button is relocated to a new opening in the abdominal skin in a proper location. The muscles are subsequently tightened and the skin is sutured with stitches.
The typical candidate for an extended tummy tuck procedure requires a significant amount of weight removal, typically at least 75 pounds. Our team will assist in your initial consultation to determine the best procedure based on your body type and personal goals.
Procedure
The procedure takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Markings are performed the evening prior or the morning of surgery. Care is taken to give you the results you are looking for.
After weight loss or pregnancy, in most cases the abdominal wall muscles are separated. Even with diet and exercise, the muscles are unable to retract. Repairing the muscles brings the waist in for more desirable results.
What To Expect After Surgery
You are restricted to bed for 2 to 3 days with periods of walking. You will be “hunched over” significantly for the first week and slowly will be able to stand up straight. Coughing, laughing, sneezing or anything that exerts the abdominal muscles will produce discomfort. Positioning yourself when sleeping — you will either need to sleep in a recliner or place pillows under your legs when lying in bed to keep your body in an “L” formation.
Recovery
Patients undergoing an extended tummy tuck will be sent home with an abdominal compression garment to control swelling and to protect the muscle repair process. The garment is to be worn for 6 weeks.
Patients require at least one week off from work and most normal activities. Discomfort improves after the first 48 hours and most patients feel comfortable after one week. Strenuous activities should be avoided for one month.
In addition to tummy tuck and other body contouring procedures, Prime Plastic Surgery performs facial procedures including facelift and rhinoplasty. Please visit the facelift and rhinoplasty pages of this website to learn more about these procedures and how our team has helped many San Diego and La Jolla facelift and rhinoplasty patients.