Are there different types of abdominoplasty?


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There are a number of other techniques that are used in Abdominoplasty; the main ones, though, are the W technique, the mini Abdominoplasty and the reverse Abdominoplasty. This article will describe both these techniques below. It is important that you remember that Abdominoplasty is tailored to your needs and your requirements; it is a cosmetic surgery and so therefore, you need to be happy with the results you are going to have. This includes any scars that you will be left with (though you need to know that each person scars differently; for some people the scarring may be minimal, while for others they may be left with a large red scar for the rest of their life), and the type of Abdominoplasty that you will have.

The W technique

The W technique is when the surgeon, rather than cutting a straight line across your stomach, instead, creates a W shaped cut. It is thought that the three angles give three land marks that make it easier for the surgeon to give you a symmetrical result. The middle angle may be shortened by one or two centimetres when the surgeon is closing if they believe the angle to be too sharp. This technique has a number of advantages over other techniques. The first is that it does not raise the level of the pubic hair like other techniques do. Secondly the operation creates equal edges and therefore avoids the risk of creating skin folds as a side effect that other techniques have. A third advantage to this technique is that because the tissue that is removed is done so laterally rather than from the midline, the pull on flap of skin that is being cut is made equal and so the finished effect is one of a nice draping on the hips. The technique also means that there is no vertical scar which means that it is possible to wear a French style Bikini (the low kind) which is in fashion at the moment. However, this means that it is harder to hide the scars when you are wearing a Saint Tropez style Bikini (if you are a woman), and this is a disadvantage if that style comes back into fashion. Overall, the W technique of Abdominoplasty offers a number of advantages over other techniques that are in practise today.

The traditional tummy tuck

This Abdominoplasty is also known as a Complete Abdominoplasty. In this technique the incision is made from hip to hip, while a second is made vertically to allow the navel freedom from the surrounding skin that will be moved. The muscle structure beneath the skin is then exposed including the abdominal wall muscle and the fascia muscles (those that are to be made stronger). The fascia muscles are the first to be strengthened using sutures. Liposuction is then used to drain away the excess fat and to expose and define the abdominal muscles. The patients are then closed up after excess fluid has been drained from the area being operated.

The mini tummy tuck

Also known as a Partial Abdominoplasty in this technique a smaller incision is made in the same place as the traditional Abdominoplasty. Once this has been done the excess skin and fat are removed in smaller quantities from the fascia; the skin that is left is stretched down and any excess skin is cut away. If it is required, the belly button is cut away from the muscle below and is moved down to sit lower on the stomach than before (though this is only done if it would look wrong in its old place because of the shift of the skin). Also, if it is required, the fascia walls are strengthened though never to the same extent that they are under a traditional Abdominoplasty. This is then followed by liposuction and closure of the incision.

The extended abdominoplasty

This is where the surgeon performs a traditional Abdominoplasty, but also performs a lateral thigh lift. The result is that the scar protrudes from around the back of the hips across the same line the scar of a complete Abdominoplasty takes. The result is that the surgeon is able to perform further work on the waist, and also is able to create a smoother upper thigh. The procedure is broadly similar to that of a Complete Abdominoplasty.

High lateral tension abdominoplasty

High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty is a new technique in the world of Abdominoplasty. It is longer than the other techniques listed here, taking around four and a half hours to complete. The main difference this technique has is that rather than the muscles being strengthened vertically (as happens in a normal Abdominoplasty), the muscles are strengthened horizontally. This technique is becoming popular because it results in far better results than other forms of Abdominoplasty (such as a much flatter abdomen) and it also gives you a better defined waistline.

The reverse tummy tuck

A reverse Abdominoplasty is a rare procedure that is not done by all surgeons. It is often used in conjunction with a breast reduction or lift. It is often performed if your skin is very lax above the navel. It is thought that the end results are better because the skin is being pulled upwards rather than towards the pubic region. The technique is, obviously, different; instead of the incision being made low down, it is made in an inverted V shape in the lower portion of the ribs just below the breasts. Once this flap of skin has been pulled down a second, lower, incision is made. One of the main advantages of this technique is that the surgeon has to work quickly due to the large amount of muscle that is being exposed which could result in significant fluid loss. However, an obvious disadvantage is that the surgeon, as a result, might rush the procedure. A further disadvantage is the positioning of the inverted V scar, though it may be partly hidden by the breasts depending on where the surgeon has made the incision.

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