If you've been researching ways to get back the body of your youth, you're probably familiar with abdominoplasty. This is a procedure that addresses loose skin affecting both your upper and lower abdomen. At Palms Wellington Plastic Surgery, we understand that not everyone struggles with excess skin on their lower abdomen. That's why we'd like to talk to you today about a reverse tummy tuck. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Reverse Tummy Tuck?
A reverse tummy tuck is a procedure commonly known in the medical community as reverse abdominoplasty. The name can be confusing to some. It doesn't reverse the effects of a tummy tuck. Rather, it focuses on removing loose, excess skin from only the upper abdomen.
Is This Procedure Right for Me?
When people consider procedures to help them enhance their appearance, they often wonder, is a reverse tummy tuck right for me. Luckily, there's a simple way you can determine if this procedure is right for you. Stand in front of a full-body mirror and bend forward at the waist. Look at your belly button. What do you see?
Reverse Abdominoplasty
If you see smooth skin beneath your belly button, a mini tummy tuck or traditional tummy tuck isn't right for you. If the only loose skin that hangs downwards is above your belly button, the best procedure to achieve your goals is a reverse tummy tuck.
Mini Tummy Tuck
More commonly, people have tight skin over their upper abdomen, but loose, hanging skin beneath their navel. If you bend over and only the skin beneath your navel is hanging towards the floor, a reverse abdominoplasty will do nothing for you, and a traditional abdominoplasty is excessive. A mini-abdominoplasty will be the most effective in your situation.
Traditional Abdominoplasty
The most common scenario is people bend forward at the waist and see loose skin above and below their navel. A traditional abdominoplasty will correct the loose skin in both these areas.
What About Plication?
When you rapidly gain a great deal of weight or get pregnant, sometimes the rectus (abdominal) muscles can stretch apart. This phenomenon is known as rectus diastasis or diastasis recti. Plication is the procedure used to close the gap, or diastasis, between the abdominal walls.
It is commonly done by sewing the muscles together during traditional abdominoplasty, creating an internal corset. Luckily, if only your upper abdominal walls have been separated, plication can also be done during a reverse abdominoplasty.
Will There Be an Incision Around My Navel?
Many people considering a form of abdominoplasty are worried about a visible incision around their navel. With a reverse abdominoplasty, the abdominal skin above the navel is pulled upward towards the chest. Thus, there will be no incision or visible scar around the belly button.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
To determine if a reverse tummy tuck is right for you, contact the helpful experts at Palms Wellington Plastic Surgery in West Palm Beach, FL today to schedule your initial consultation. It is our mission to help you achieve your esthetic goals. We can't wait to hear from you soon!
