Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck, also known as an extended abdominoplasty or plus-size tummy tuck, is designed to remove excess skin and tissue from both the front and sides of the abdomen to achieve a more contoured and sculpted appearance. An extended tummy tuck is considered more surgically invasive when compared with a traditional tummy tuck. It is most commonly performed in people who have lost significant weight either due to bariatric surgery or through natural means such as diet and exercise. Successful weight loss may result in the development of sagging skin and stretchmarks and can result in a significant loss of self-confidence, leading people to wear baggy clothing to hide their hanging folds of skin.

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When people gain weight, fat most commonly accumulates in the abdominal region. When this excess fat is lost through diet and exercise or weight loss surgery, the stretched-out skin does not return to its original level of tightness. Saggy and drooping skin may result in the development of love handles. The stretched-out skin may also have extensive stretchmarks due to significant weight gain followed by weight loss. An extended abdominoplasty involves a longer incision compared with a standard tummy tuck to treat the areas of loose skin, which often extend outward to the sides (flanks) in people who have lost a significant amount of weight. An extended tummy tuck can achieve a more sculpted waistline and is commonly combined with other body contouring procedures, including liposuction or a breast lift.

The extended abdominoplasty procedure, also known as the extended tummy tuck, is an advanced cosmetic surgery technique aimed at enhancing the appearance and contour of the abdominal region. This procedure is designed to address not only the excess skin and fat in the midsection but also to tackle the unwanted tissue that extends around the flanks and lower back, providing a more comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

The primary goal of the extended tummy tuck is to create a smoother, flatter, and more toned abdomen by eliminating excess skin and fat, as well as tightening the underlying muscles. This surgical intervention is particularly beneficial for individuals who have undergone significant weight loss or have experienced changes in their body shape due to pregnancy or ageing.

An extended abdominoplasty procedure differs from the traditional tummy tuck in the extent of the surgical intervention and the area it covers. While the conventional tummy tuck focuses on the abdominal region alone, the extended variation extends the incisions and area of treatment to encompass the flanks and lower back. This results in a more comprehensive improvement in the patient’s overall body contour.

The extended tummy tuck procedure typically begins with the administration of general anaesthesia to ensure the patient’s comfort during the surgery. Following this, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic hairline. This incision is typically longer than that used in a standard tummy tuck, as it needs to extend around the hips to address the excess tissue in the flanks and lower back.

Once the incision has been made, the surgeon proceeds to lift the skin and fat layer away from the underlying abdominal muscles. These muscles are then tightened and stitched together, creating a firmer and more toned abdominal wall. Next, the surgeon removes the excess skin and fat, carefully pulling the remaining skin downward and trimming away any surplus tissue before suturing it into place.

In some cases, the surgeon may also perform liposuction to remove additional fat deposits and further enhance the patient’s body contour. This combination of procedures helps to create a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing result, with an overall improvement in the appearance of the abdominal region, flanks, and lower back.

At your consultation, your surgeon will be able to show you a wide range of before and after extended tummy tuck photos to give you an idea of the results that can be achieved with surgery. Every patient is different and an extended tummy tuck is always customised to the needs and preferences of the individual patient to get the best possible results.

When you’re pregnant, your body changes a lot. Many women put on at least 10 kg during their nine months of pregnancy. Most of that weight goes away after the baby is born, but sometimes, your skin doesn’t go back to how it used to be. It’s not just pregnancy that does this; if you lose a lot of weight quickly, you might find that your skin starts to sag. Unfortunately, even the best diet and most rigorous exercise routine can’t always help sagging skin bounce back.

This can really knock your confidence and make you feel self-conscious. You might start avoiding social events, or even everyday activities like going for a walk can become uncomfortable. The sagging skin can sometimes lead to problems like skin irritation, rashes, or even infections. When skin rubs against skin, it can cause discomfort that makes it difficult to walk or move about as you normally would.

Everyone’s skin is different, and for some people, the skin does recover quite well after weight loss or childbirth. But for many, sagging skin is a permanent change they’re not happy with. A number of things play a part in how elastic your skin is, including natural ageing and how much time you’ve spent in the sun. Too much sun exposure can also make the problem worse.

An extended tummy tuck surgery could be a solution for you. This procedure can give you a flatter stomach and a slimmer waistline, with results that last as long as you manage to maintain your weight. What the surgery does is remove the saggy skin so that your stomach looks tighter and younger. Diet and exercise alone can’t give you these results.

After getting an extended tummy tuck, you’ll notice your stomach area looking much more toned. The shape of your abdomen will be more defined and flatter. The procedure can often be combined with liposuction to get rid of ‘love handles’ or other fatty areas. Each surgery is tailored to what you need and what you’re hoping to achieve. How drastic the change is depends on how much loose skin you have to start with.

Apart from helping you look better, an extended tummy tuck can also improve your quality of life. For example, some people experience back pain because of the extra loose skin and weak stomach muscles. The surgery can help with this. And if sagging skin has kept you from being active or going to the gym, this surgery can help you get back to doing what you love, whether that’s playing tennis or hitting the gym with confidence.

Although a standard tummy tuck is a suitable treatment for loose skin affecting the front of the abdomen, an extended tummy tuck can better treat loose skin, extending outwards to the flanks. Patients who have achieved significant weight loss inevitably develop loose and saggy skin, which does not return to its original level of elasticity. As well as being a common source of cosmetic concern, many people may develop symptoms from excess skin, resulting in a loss of self-confidence. Loose skin may develop due to pregnancy or significant weight loss, and typical symptoms experienced include:

• Excess skin folds may cause irritation and pain
• Stretchmarks
• Skin rashes
• Hanging skin may cover the pubic area partially or completely
• Inability to wear certain types of clothing due to excess skin

An extended tummy tuck is a major surgery and a small surgically invasive compared with a traditional tummy tuck. The risk of complications is minimised by ensuring suitable patients are selected for the procedure.

Although there is no defined age limit for having an extended tummy tuck, patients should be at least 18 years of age. Most patients who are considering an extended tummy tuck have either experience childbirth or have lost a significant amount of weight. This can affect people from their 20s all the way to their 60s.

The main prerequisite for suitability for an extended abdominoplasty is that you are in a good state of overall physical and mental health and do not have any chronic medical condition such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe diabetes. Your doctor will also want to know if you are taking certain medications, as medicines containing aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding both during and after the procedure. You should inform your surgeon about all medications you are taking at your consultation.

Patients should be at a stable weight which is below a body mass index of 30. Patients who are significantly overweight or obese are not considered ideal for the procedure due to the risk of complications occurring both during and after the procedure, including delayed wound healing and wound infection.

At the consultation, your surgeon will discuss the risks and potential complications of extended tummy tuck surgery. It is important for patients to be aware of the results that could be achieved after an extended tummy tuck and how long they last. All patients should take certain preoperative steps to ensure they are optimally prepared for surgery. Patients should have realistic expectations of what an extended abdominoplasty can achieve. You should ensure you follow all of your surgeon’s preoperative and post-operative instructions to get the best possible results. People who smoke will need to stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery. This is because smoking has a detrimental effect on healing and recovery, with an increased risk of wound complications.

Extended tummy tuck surgery is performed at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in London. Every procedure is carefully planned to achieve the best results. Once you have been placed under anaesthesia, the surgeon will perform an incision which extends from the side of the hip bone extending across the lower abdomen to the lower part of the hip bone on the other side. The extended incision makes it possible to remove larger amounts of tissue that a standard tummy tuck cannot achieve. Loose skin on the sides of the flanks can be effectively removed in addition to loose skin affecting the front part of the abdomen. An extended tummy tuck is one of the best ways to get rid of love handles. Once the decision has been performed, the excess skin will be carefully separated from the underlined abdominal wall. The desired amount of loose skin will be surgically removed, followed by the closure of the incision with dissolvable stitches. If you have weak abdominal muscles, your surgeon will perform an abdominal muscle repair as part of the procedure.

An extended abdominoplasty is commonly combined with liposuction to contour areas with excess amounts of fat that have not been reduced with diet and exercise alone. Combining liposuction with an extended tummy tuck allows enhanced results that an extended tummy tuck may not achieve on its own. Combining both procedures in the same operation also eliminates the need to have a separate anaesthetic and recovery period for both procedures.

An extended tummy tuck is a major undertaking, as with any type of excess skin removal surgery. An extended tummy tuck recovery is longer than a full or mini abdominoplasty recovery. As with all procedures carried out at Centre for Surgery, an extended tummy tuck is performed as a day-case procedure which means you will be able to go home later the same day once you are medically fit for discharge. There is a limit to the number of procedures that can be combined with an extended tummy tuck to facilitate a safe discharge later the same day.

The recovery time after an extended abdominoplasty will depend on several factors. How old you are and the quality of your skin will play a big part in the length of your recovery. Other factors include your overall state of health and the extent of surgical correction required during the procedure.

The first 3 to 5 days after the procedure are the most crucial. It is normal to experience mild to moderate levels of pain or discomfort. Any discomfort can be easily controlled with a prescription for painkillers given to you by your surgeon. It is important to bear in mind that your mobility may be limited during the first few days. Therefore, we recommend having a responsible adult carer to help you carry out household tasks during this period. This includes helping you get dressed and help with preparing meals. You will need to wear an abdominal compression garment to protect the area which has been operated on, which will help reduce bruising and swelling. Most surgeons will recommend an abdominal binder, which should be worn for a minimum of six weeks. After the first two weeks, you may be suitable to carry out certain household tasks which involve standing for long periods. You should not drive a car for the first two weeks after surgery and avoid walking long distances outside of the home.

You can expect to achieve almost full recovery by the four-week stage, although we would still recommend you avoid lifting heavy items, including children. Strenuous activities, including going to the gym, should be avoided until at least six weeks after surgery. After six weeks, you should build up slowly and gradually and try not to do too much too soon to avoid placing stress upon the incision lines. If you have any doubts, please consult your surgeon to get customised advice on when you may restart certain activities. Bruising and swelling can be helped to disappear by applying cold packs. Swelling takes between 3 to 6 months to disappear completely. Your surgeon will provide detailed post-operative care instructions. It is important to follow these in full to ensure your extended tummy tuck healing period is as short and straightforward as possible.

During the recovery period, you will need to attend for regular post-operative appointments to monitor your healing and progress. It is important to attend all of these appointments to ensure we can keep track of your progress and answer any questions or concerns you may have about any aspect of your healing or recovery. Your surgeon will review you six weeks after surgery to assess the results of your procedure. As with any type of surgery, an extended tummy tuck involves certain risks, and your surgeon will be able to give you detailed information about the potential risks and complications associated with an extended abdominoplasty. Choosing to have your procedure at Centre for Surgery means you are giving yourself the best possible chance of getting outstanding results with our strong commitment to providing the highest standards of medical care both before and after your procedure.

The cost of an extended tummy tuck in London will vary depending on the extent of surgical correction and your overall state of health. Once you have had your consultation with the surgeon, you will be seen by your dedicated patient coordinator, and they will be able to give you a detailed quotation which includes your surgeon and anaesthetist fee, nursing fees and facility fees. The cost of post-operative visits to see our nursing team and your Surgeon are included in your procedure.

Centre for Surgery partner with Chrysalis Finance and offer our patients a wide range of affordable finance options, including 0% finance.

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When considering an extended tummy tuck procedure, you may wonder why you should choose the Centre for Surgery. Here are several reasons that make our centre stand out:

1. Expertise and Experience: Centre for Surgery boasts a team of highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeons who specialise in performing extended tummy tuck procedures. Our surgeons have undergone extensive training and have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. They stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in techniques and technologies to ensure the highest quality of care.
2. Comprehensive Consultations: At Centre for Surgery, we believe in personalised care. During your initial consultation, our surgeons will take the time to understand your specific concerns, goals, and expectations. They will thoroughly evaluate your unique case, discuss the surgical options available, and provide honest and transparent recommendations tailored to your needs.
3. State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our centre is equipped with modern, state-of-the-art facilities that meet the highest standards of safety and comfort. We utilise advanced technologies and equipment to ensure precise and effective surgical outcomes. Our facility adheres to stringent sterilization protocols to maintain a clean and sterile environment, minimizing the risk of infections.
4. Patient-Centric Approach: We prioritise patient satisfaction and comfort. Our dedicated staff members are committed to providing comprehensive support throughout your entire journey, from the initial consultation to post-operative care. We understand that each patient is unique, and we strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where your concerns and questions are addressed promptly.
5. Safety and Quality: Your safety is our utmost priority. We adhere to strict safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the highest level of patient safety during the extended tummy tuck procedure. Our surgical team follows rigorous standards to minimise risks and complications, providing you with a safe and secure surgical experience.
6. Outstanding Results: At Centre for Surgery, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional results that align with your aesthetic goals. Our surgeons employ advanced surgical techniques to achieve natural-looking and harmonious outcomes. We take pride in the transformative impact our procedures can have on your confidence and overall well-being.
7. Positive Patient Experiences: Many of our patients have shared their positive experiences and successful outcomes through testimonials and reviews. We encourage you to explore these testimonials to gain insight into the level of care and satisfaction our patients have experienced at Centre for Surgery.