Results of the study were based on a questionnaire conducted of 3500 (1862 respondents) young women in northern Norway.

Respondents who were interested in rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and liposuction were motivated by “complex psychological factors.”   Researchers found correlations with lifestyle factors such as divorce, history of teasing, education, self-image, body dysmorphic disorder, and the so-called Big-Five personality traits.

Survey questions about tummy tuck surgery revealed some unique findings.  Most participants who were interested in the procedure were interested in it exclusively. Having children and having a desire to repair the bodily changes occurring after childbirth were consistently correlated with interest for a tummy tuck.

Click here to read an abstract of this study

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is one of the top 5 plastic surgery procedures performed each year in the U.S. The traditional abdominoplasty involves removing a significant amount of loose, sagging skin, tightening the abdominal muscle wall, and reshaping the upper and lower abdomen. In the process, stretch marks in the area are eliminated and the navel is repositioned to accommodate the new contours of the body. The result is often dramatic, with the mid body restored to a taut, firm condition and a more youthful, attractive appearance.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty (also known as a partial abdominoplasty or “mini tummy tuck”) is a variation on the full abdominoplasty, but designed to remove excess fat and loose skin only on the lower abdomen, below the navel. If you are within 10% of the ideal weight for your age and height and have relatively good skin tone and muscle tone on your upper abdomen, you may benefit from this procedure.

A mini abdominoplasty typically consists of removing excess fat and loose skin to correct a sagging lower belly. In some cases, the procedure includes tightening the lower abdominal muscles and/or doing liposuction to further sculpt the abdomen into an aesthetically pleasing shape and contour. Mini abdominoplasty will not eliminate stretch marks on your upper abdominal area, and the navel is left intact.

Which Procedure is Right for You?

To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the mini abdominoplasty, it’s important for you to do your homework. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already on your way and that’s great! You’ll want to gather as much information as you need to help you make a choice that’s best for you and that you feel comfortable with.

If you know individuals who have undergone this procedure, you have the advantage of being able to learn about their experiences and ask questions you likely have. But even if you choose not to discuss it with anyone, you have a wealth of information at your disposal.

Do Your Research

The Internet is obviously an invaluable tool for gathering information. However, not all cosmetic surgery sites contain content that is reputable and accurate. If you are in the beginning phase of learning about mini abdominoplasty, we hope you’ll take time to view our site. Then, you might want to learn about what some others are doing to figure out which abdominoplasty procedure is right for them. Of the many consumer websites that focus on cosmetic surgery, we recommend that you check out the following:

Resources

• RealSelf – reviews of tummy tuck surgeries performed in the United States
• ASAPS – the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has excellent before & after photos of tummy tucks
• Our site: Read more about tummy tuck surgery in San Francisco with Dr. Maddali
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons: the ASPS has some good patient stories to read about tummy tuck surgery.

- L.L.

Tummy tuck surgery is typically performed on patients that have undergone significant weight loss, but continue to exhibit protruding skin and tissue on the abdomen.  To remove a limited amount of extra fat, liposuction can often be done before proceeding with the abdominoplasty.

Obese patients, with a BMI above 30 however, are not considered good candidates.  They are at a much higher risk for complications, so it is generally not  advisable to perform a tummy-tuck on an obese patient. Aside from the high risks, the results are generally not as impressive.

Having said that, there are many physicians who have performed numerous tummy-tucks on patients who are borderline obese, with only a marginal increase in complications.  Those in the 25-30 BMI range can sometimes benefit from a tummy tuck, but the risk of complications is slightly higher for them as well.

If you believe that you are on the borderline, visit us for a consultation and we can determine if the procedure would be safe and effective for you.  Dr. Maddali evaluates every patient on an an individual basis.