Years of yo-yo weight fluctuations, childbirth, and significant weight loss like after bariatric surgery can leave loose sagging skin in the abdominal area. Fortunately, a tummy tuck which is the most requested and performed cosmetic surgery can effectively address these issues. A traditional tummy tuck removes loose skin and fat as well as repairs abdominal muscles that have become torn or separated if needed.
If you are looking into possibilities to correct excess abdominal skin and fat, more than likely, you are researching tummy tucks. You may be confused by the different techniques you find and you may wonder how an hourglass tummy tuck vs a full tummy tuck compares.
Today we are going to look at the hourglass tummy tuck and how it compares to a traditional tummy tuck to help you determine which procedure would best suit your desired aesthetic.
Why Would Any Type Of Tummy Tuck Be Performed?
Our skin is pretty amazing and can stretch out and return to its former shape until it can’t. Our skin can lose its elasticity as we age or when our skin is stretched too far or for too long. The skin is unable to retract and return to its taut smooth state and can sag, droop or even form folds. Once the skin has been stretched out this much, the only way to correct it is to surgically remove it.
Some individuals experience medical issues due to excess skin such as rashes or infections where the skin folds up on itself and others may have mobility issues depending on how far down the skin hangs. Most individuals who opt for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty are women who have had babies and the stretched skin is localized to their stomach area. These women often opt for a mommy makeover which will restore their bodies to a pre-pregnancy state.
What Is The Difference Between A Full Tummy Tuck vs Hourglass Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks are performed using one of several available techniques. The most commonly requested is the full tummy tuck which addresses loose skin on both the upper and lower portions of the abdomen. A mini tummy tuck only addresses excess skin under the belly button on the lower portion of the abdomen. An hourglass tummy tuck involves a combination of procedures that are done to enhance a woman’s curves.
What Does A Traditional Tummy Tuck Involve?
A traditional tummy tuck is done with the patient under general anesthesia. The surgeon may create one or two incisions to adequately address the excess abdominal skin. Depending on the nature of the loose skin and the extent of the repair to be done, one or both incisions may be used.
One incision runs from under the naval straight down to the pubic bone and the other runs from hip to hip just above the pubic bone. Often another very small incision is created so the surgeon can reposition and reshape the patient’s naval.
The upper and lower abdominal muscles are pulled together and sutured to repair and tighten them. When these muscles are tightened, permanent sutures are used to bring the two separated muscles together to create a flatter abdomen. By adding an additional layer of strategically placed lateral sutures, the surgeon can help the muscles form more of an hourglass shape.
Liposuction is used to remove excess fat deposits and to create a smooth surface. During an hourglass tummy tuck, liposuction is used on the sides of the abdomen to create curvy contours. Keep in mind that the patient must already have curves and the surgeon is only enhancing what is there. If a patient has more of a straight figure, attempting an hourglass tummy tuck may not provide the desired results.
Loose skin is pulled taut and the excess is surgically removed. The remaining skin is sutured into place. One benefit of excising excess skin is that this often eliminates a large number of stretchmarks that were present.
Surgical drains may be used or depending on the circumstances, a drainless tummy tuck may be performed.
What Does An Hourglass Tummy Tuck Involve?
An hourglass tummy tuck is a technique that is used to provide a more contoured and curvy shape by combining different cosmetic surgeries. The hourglass tummy tuck not only results in a flatter firmer stomach but also a silhouette that is more of an hourglass shape.
An hourglass tummy tuck begins with a traditional tummy tuck to eliminate loose skin. Additional contouring is done on the sides of the abdomen as the surgeon selectively eliminates fat from different areas using liposuction to enhance the definition of the patient’s waist.
Sometimes, the surgeon may use fat transfer to enhance the shape of the hips. Some patients choose to combine an hourglass tummy tuck and BBL (Brazilian butt lift) which also involves a fat transfer procedure. Fat is taken from one area of the body, put through a purifying process, and injected into another part of the body. In this case, fat is taken from the abdomen, flanks, sides, and back and after purification, is injected into the buttocks and hips to add volume and create more “hourglass” shaped contours.
Your Anatomy And An Hourglass Tummy Tuck
A highly-skilled cosmetic surgeon can perform a tummy tuck that helps to enhance your natural contours but even the best surgeon in the world can not change your anatomy. Expertly skilled cosmetic surgeons work with and enhance their patients’ natural beauty while respecting their natural proportions. If a patient’s natural shape is more straight and less curvy, expecting to look like Jessica Rabbit after the procedure is unrealistic.
A more dramatic, curvier figure can be accomplished by combining a breast augmentation, BBL, and an hourglass tummy tuck.
Can An Hourglass Tummy Tuck Enhance Your Figure?
To determine what type of tummy tuck or combination of procedures will provide you with your desired results, set up a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. The surgeon will explain what you can expect from different techniques and procedures based on your anatomy and desired goals.
It is always a good idea to come prepared for a consultation to ensure you get answers to your questions and your concerns addressed. Bring hourglass tummy tuck before and after pictures with you that are similar to what you desire. This will allow the surgeon to understand your expectations and also help set realistic goals based on your anatomy. Pictures of real people who have had tummy tucks are better to use than those of a celebrity that has most likely been photoshopped or has never experienced childbirth or the circumstances surrounding the reason you desire a tummy tuck.
The Hourglass Tummy Tuck Consultation
During your consultation, the surgeon will discuss which procedure or combination of procedures will be needed to achieve your desired results. They will also go over the details of these procedures and pre-operative, post-operative, recovery, and relative costs. Keep in mind that hourglass tummy tuck costs are usually higher than that of a traditional tummy tuck because it involves enhanced liposuction and sometimes more than one procedure to achieve desired results.
If you’re considering an hourglass tummy tuck or would like to know which cosmetic surgery can address your needs and deliver the results you desire, contact Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics to set up a consultation. Dr. Angelina Posteov is a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon that can help you navigate these choices and create a plan that is best for you.
Contact us today to learn more about having the silhouette of your dreams.
