The right tummy tuck technique depends on your anatomy, the amount and location of excess skin, and your body contouring goals. During a consultation, I will recommend the approach that can safely achieve the best contour for your body. At The Wall Center, every abdominoplasty is customized to the individual and incorporates advanced body contouring techniques to improve the entire midsection—not just the abdomen.
Why Our Abdomioplasty Approach Is Different
Tummy and midsection concerns can be unique and nuanced, so each case requires a customized approach that, ideally, is determined by an expert in abdominoplasty and body contouring procedures. As someone who has dedicated much of his career toward advancing the concepts of abdominoplasty, I know the difference an exceptional abdominoplasty can make in a person’s appearance and self-image.
When I first began lecturing on treating the entire circumferential trunk, including the use of SAFELipo®, with almost all abdominoplasties, most plastic surgeons thought it too extreme, especially since it went against all the traditional teachings. No one argued with the results, they simply thought it was too much, or too difficult for the average plastic surgeon to get consistent results. Now, over 15 years later, many of these concepts and teachings are considered the gold standard by all serious body contouring experts all over the world.
I’m proud to have received honors and recognition that place me among the best abdominoplasty specialists in the world and to use my expertise to help my patients transform their bodies and lives. In today’s blog post, I’d like to discuss how my approach to the tummy tuck creates extraordinary results that make the Wall Center an internationally renowned destination for abdominal contouring.
What Sets the Wall Center Apart for Abdominoplasty?
Simply put, what I call an “abdominoplasty” is much more and much different than your average “tummy tuck.” We accomplish more comprehensive improvements and do so circumferentially by including 360-degree shrink wrap SAFELipo in every abdominoplasty, regardless of the type. I also address the buttock shape and overall silhouette with a combination of SAFELipo and EVL fat grafting. This method is my “triple procedure,” known for creating exceptional overall results. Learn more about combining SAFELipo and EVL with tummy tuck surgery in our previous blog post.
SAFELipo is an integral part of my abdominoplasty procedures, even in patients who don’t have much or any significant excess fat. Both SAFELipo Smoothing and SAFELipo provide amazingly smooth results and tighter skin all the way around the body. This innovative combination has not only set the Wall Center apart but has also changed the art of abdominal contouring on a much grander scale.
Traditional Tummy Tucks vs. The Wall Center Approach
While every plastic surgeon has a unique approach to abdominoplasty, the Wall Center approach differs from many traditional tummy tucks by treating the entire midsection rather than focusing only on the abdomen.
| Many Traditional Tummy Tucks | The Wall Center Approach |
|---|---|
| Focus primarily on improving the front of the abdomen. | Treats the entire circumferential trunk to improve the overall body contour. |
| Liposuction may be performed separately or selectively. | Includes 360-degree SAFELipo with every abdominoplasty, regardless of the technique used. |
| The buttocks are not typically part of the treatment plan. | Evaluates buttock shape and may combine SAFELipo with EVL fat grafting to enhance the overall silhouette. |
| The tummy tuck technique is selected based on the patient’s anatomy and goals. | The tummy tuck technique is also customized, with four primary approaches used depending on the patient’s anatomy and desired outcome. |
| Results focus on improving the abdomen. | Aims to create smooth, tight contours and balanced proportions around the entire midsection. |
WARNING:
This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.
How Do Surgeons Choose the Right Tummy Tuck Technique?
Choosing the right technique depends on several factors, including the amount and location of excess skin, the degree of skin laxity, your body proportions, and your overall body contouring goals. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate these factors and recommend the approach that can achieve the most balanced, natural-looking result while keeping scars as discreet as possible.
At the Wall Center, each abdominoplasty procedure is tailored to the individual. While every surgical plan is personalized, we commonly perform the four tummy tuck techniques outlined below, as described in the chapter I authored for The Art of Body Contouring: A Comprehensive Approach.
Standard Abdominoplasty
Considered my standard approach, a standard abdominoplasty addresses skin on the entire trunk, including the skin and tissues around the waist, also providing a pubic lift and an anterior thigh lift. It requires 2 incisions: 1 extremely low in the pubic area extending out to the hip bones and 1 deep inside the bellybutton.
Extended Abdominoplasty
This approach removes skin from a wider area than a standard abdominoplasty and is typically suitable for people who have significant laxity, often after weight loss. It involves a longer incision than my standard abdominoplasty in order to address more extensive amounts of excess skin and laxity of the trunk, pubic area, and anterior thighs.
Short Vertical Scar Abdominoplasty
A short vertical scar abdominoplasty is appropriate when there is notable laxity, and we do not want to compromise by leaving the patient with a higher abdominoplasty scar, as is typical with most other surgeons in these scenarios. This technique requires the same incisions as a standard abdominoplasty but includes the addition of a very short scar extending up toward the bellybutton. This allows for the main abdominoplasty incision to remain very low and hidden.
Umbilical Float Abdominoplasty
This technique eliminates the need for an external bellybutton incision but requires the right type of body proportions, which I can determine easily during a private consultation. It requires incisions extremely low across the pubic area, extending across the groin, and eliminates any scar from the bellybutton.
I carefully determine the right abdominoplasty technique for each person during a personal consultation. No matter the technique, though, my patients can rest assured my industry-advancing methods and masterful use of SAFELipo and EVL will leave them with smooth, tight contours that flatter their natural curves. It’s what the Wall Center is known for, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
To see examples of the results you can expect from an abdominoplasty at the Wall Center, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
If you would like to learn more about the procedure or consult with one of the Wall Center’s board-certified plastic surgeons, please contact us online or call us at (318) 795-0801.
Comments are closed.