Following significant weight loss or after multiple pregnancies, your abdomen and lateral thighs may have lost the contour and appearance you desire. Reclaim your physique with an extended tummy tuck!
Contents
What is an Extended Tummy Tuck?
An extended tummy tuck will recontour your midsection by removing the excess skin and tightening the muscle fascia to give the abdomen a toned appearance, as well as giving lift to the lateral thigh. The incision of an extended tummy tuck extends more laterally than a full tummy tuck, but less than that of a lower body lift. This procedure will improve the contour of the lateral thigh, but it does not give the same improvement in contour that you would achieve with a lower body lift. Dr. Michaels will often combine this procedure with targeted liposuction to achieve the optimal contour.
Quick Facts
Length
3-5 hours (depending on extent of procedure)
Anesthesia
General
In/outpatient
Usually inpatient with 1 overnight stay, outpatient in select cases
Side effects
Temporary swelling, bruising, tightness and some pain
Risks
Pain, bleeding, infection, rare damage to nerves, asymmetry, incomplete improvement, recurrent laxity
Recovery
1-2 week back at work. 2 weeks light exercise. 3 weeks more strenuous activity. 8-12 weeks for swelling to completely resolve.
Duration of results
Proper diet and exercise can prolong results
Candidates
An extended tummy tuck will transform the way a patient appears! There are a few advantages to receiving this procedure.The primary benefit of an extended tummy tuck is the reduction ofexcess fat and tissue around the midsection. The result will be a toned, sculpted body.
This procedure often impacts our female patients significantly. The treatment will likely boost confidence and improve body image. Having children and losing excess weight are both amazing, positive life achievements. However, the body can take quite a toll and patients may be left with saggy skin, particularly around the midsection. This treatment will slim down the body and help show off the feminine physique.
After an extended tummy tuck, clothes will fit better. You will have renewed confidence in your appearance! If you are looking to transform your appearance, an extended tummy tuck may be your perfect solution. If you are interested in whether you are an ideal candidate for the procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michaels today!
Before and After Photos
Personal Consultation
We invite you to ask lots of questions and voice any concerns.
During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will carefully listen to your goals and tailor a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Dr. Michaels is a skilled body contouring surgeon who has completed one of the few fellowships dedicated to this specialized area of plastic surgery.
Dr. Michaels will ask about your general health and medical history to better understand if an extended tummy tuck surgery is a safe, healthy option for you. He will also examine the abdomen, thigh, and flank region to better strategize the procedure. Together, you and Dr. Michaels will create a treatment plan that takes your unique features into consideration and strives to achieve your ideal aesthetic.
Dr. Michaels is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience performing this surgery.
Your personal meeting with Dr. Michaels is an opportunity to learn more about his experiences with this surgery and hear his professional insight on how it will affect you. Be sure to ask about extended tummy tuck before and after photos so that you can have a realistic expectation of what this procedure will achieve. If you have any more questions that occur to you after the consultation, give our office a call so we can help you!
Preparation
Prior to your extended tummy tuck procedure, there are a few steps to take to ensure a positive, healthy surgery and recovery. You will want to pick up pain medications and prepared meals to make your recovery restful and comfortable. We suggest you set up a recovery area at home for yourself. This can be a bedroom or living room couch, but it should be somewhere you can relax undisturbed. Make sure this area has lots of pillows, blankets, medications, water, snacks, and entertainment all within arm’s reach.
Arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up from the surgery. It will also be in your benefit to have someone stay with you the first night of your at-home recovery. This person can help you get around your living space, get food ready for you or your family, and help you get comfortable.
Twelve hours before the surgery, fast from everything except water. The morning of your surgery, take a shower and dress comfortably. It will also be in your interest to arrive a few minutes early so that you can sign in and not feel rushed.
Procedure
When you arrive, you will be greeted by the surgical team. Your treatment area will be cleaned and marked for surgery. Incision marks will help guide Dr. Michaels through the surgery. General anesthesia will be applied to provide a safe, comfortable surgery. Once you are resting, Dr. Michaels will begin the procedure. An incision will be made along one flank, across the front of the abdomen and to the other flank. Excess tissue will be trimmed away, muscles will be tightened, and fat will be removed with liposuction.
The procedure will take a few hours and, once completed, your incision(s) will be closed and bandaged.
Extended Tummy Tuck Recovery
A healthy recovery will help you maintain your results for a long time.
Following the surgery, your treated area will be swollen and bruised. Pain medication will help alleviate any discomfort and allow you to rest comfortably. You will need to take it easy for a few days, focusing on hydrating yourself and resting. Patients often take about two weeks off from work to ensure they are past the initial healing period and feeling good. A follow-up appointment will help Dr. Michaels monitor your recovery and let you know what to expect as you continue your recovery journey.
Results
Your extended tummy tuck results will be immediately noticeable. It will take a few months for the treated area to be fully healed and functioning. The results are long-lasting but it will be very important to maintain your weight and stay healthy to keep your results looking terrific for years to come.
Complementary Procedures
A Mommy Makeover often combines a tummy tuck with a breast rejuvenation procedure. The breast rejuvenation includes a lift and often times augmentation. Breast augmentation is often achieved with implants to help improve the shape and volume of the breasts, whereas a breast lift reduces stretched skin and repositions the breasts to a higher position. The areolas are often trimmed and repositioned as well to help achieve a younger appearance. A mommy makeover will slim your abdomen and return your breasts to a younger, perkier position and shape. This treatment is excellent for women who have had one or a few children and are looking to regain their before-baby body. Of course, you don’t need to have had children to be a candidate for Mommy Makeover. If you are interested in how a mommy makeover will positively impact your body, schedule a consultation today to learn more!
Extended Tummy Tuck Cost
The cost of each extended tummy tuck will differ between patients. Everyone has specific anatomy. At Michael’s Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, we will design a treatment that takes your anatomical features into consideration and strives to achieve your goal. To gain a better understanding of the range of costs of a tummy tuck, research “tummy tuck prices near me.”
Patients travel to Dr. Michaels’ state-of-the-art practice from throughout Northern Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland. If you would like to learn more about the extended tummy tuck, click here or call (301) 468-5991 in Rockville, Maryland or (703) 957-8610 in Fairfax, Virginia to schedule a consultation.
FAQs
What is an extended tummy tuck?
An extended tummy tuck is a more comprehensive approach to the tummy tuck procedure. An extensive tummy tuck often includes one long incision from the flanks along the front of the abdomen. This allows for maximum improvement in the lower torso.
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and an extended tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck includes an incision along the front of the abdomen, whereas an extended tummy tuck’s incision covers more area.
How long does an extended tummy tuck take?
An extended tummy tuck surgery will take about three to five hours. The time frame for your personal surgery will vary based on your physical features and desired outcome.
Is a tummy tuck permanent?
A tummy tuck is long-lasting. A decrease in skin elasticity is common as you age and fat tends to gather in the midsection. However, the fat removed during the tummy tuck procedure will not be able to return and grow. With weekly exercise and a healthy diet, you should be able to maintain a healthy weight and keep your tummy tuck results for many years!
