Tummy tuck surgery, abdominoplasty, is a popular plastic surgery procedure performed to improve body contours in a way that other contouring procedures cannot. Unlike liposuction, which shapes by removing excess fat, or breast augmentation, which shapes by adding volume to small or deflated breasts, the tummy tuck is done to tighten the abdomen that has become loose and squishy or saggy over time. Because abdominoplasty tightens the midsection so that it is flatter and tighter, patients can expect some degree of improvement in their curves. However, will these equate to Kardashian curves? That is determined by a few factors, which we’ll discuss here.
What Can a Tummy Tuck Do?
Primarily, abdominoplasty is sought by people who want to see a flat, tight abdomen again. The midsection can stretch and sag as a result of aging, pregnancy, and weight. Often, it reaches a point at which no amount of diet and exercise is enough to restore the contours that are desired. The tummy tuck is performed through an incision along the bikini line. That may run all the way from hip to hip if a full tummy tuck is being performed. A mini tummy tuck may be done through shorter incisions, but that technique tightens only the section of the abdomen below the belly button. However, depending on the suture techniques performed by the surgeon, even a mini tummy tuck might be able to add a little more of an hourglass figure. Still, there is one factor that must be considered when setting realistic expectations.
What Influences the Outcome of Abdominoplasty?
The guiding factor that influences what is possible through abdominoplasty is your figure. It’s that simple. If you have a naturally boyish figure that is generally devoid of curves at the hips, shoulders, breasts, and buttocks, a tummy tuck may give you a little bit of a waist. However, it isn’t likely that it will give you an hourglass shape. Not to worry, though. Depending on your natural shape and your desired outcome, your plastic surgeon can customize a treatment plan that can get you close to, if not exactly where, you want to be. The way to build an hourglass shape is to whittle the middle while then augmenting adjacent areas. One way to do this is to combine a tummy tuck with breast augmentation or a breast lift. Depending on your existing breast shape, you may benefit from enlargement or reshaping of the breast tissue you have now. Another option to significantly enhance curves and the contour of the abdomen is to have liposuction with fat grafting. One of the most popular fat grafting procedures is the Brazilian Butt Lift. This two-phase surgery sculpts one area via liposuction. This could be the abdomen, thighs, flanks, or back. It then inserts fat cells into precise areas of the buttocks to add volume and contour for a more hourglass shape.
The beauty of plastic surgery is that an extensively trained surgeon like Dr. Leedy can sculpt and trim and augment to help you live in your dream body. To learn more about abdominoplasty and other body contouring procedures, contact Cleveland Plastic Surgery at 440-459-0007 for your appointment.