Abdominoplasty

Often, exercise and diet, while helpful and healthy overall, can’t completely affect change in certain areas of the body, such as the tummy. Body contouring and reshaping in this area through surgery is highly effective, and Dr. Peters can discuss various options with you to help you choose the best results for you individually.

Abdominoplasty is cosmetic surgery for reshaping the abdomen. Sagging abdominal wall skin and relaxation of the abdominal wall muscles can happen after pregnancy or with weight fluctuations. Stretch marks in the skin may be the result of pregnancy. Exercise may be unhelpful in restoring a flatter abdomen or more proportional shape.

Most abdominoplasties remove skin and fat in the lower abdomen between the belly button and pubic region and extending hip to hip. The underlying muscles are tightened for better internal support. Liposuction can be combined with the surgery to remove excess fat on the hips or thighs.

A mini-abdominoplasty has a shorter scar and is best used for the select group of patients whose problems are limited to the lower abdomen and have a lesser amount of skin and fat to be removed.

An extended abdominoplasty is used for patients that have excess skin that continues from the front to the backside of the trunk. This is particularly common after losing large amounts of weight. Different names are given to this operation, including lower body lift, belt lipectomy, flank lift, and buttock lift. The operation needs to be individually tailored to achieve the best outcome, no matter what name is given to it.