subject: Abdominoplasty: Partial Vs Complete - Making The Right Decision [print this page] A complete abdominoplasty is also known commonly as a complete tummy tuck. It is an invasive form of cosmetic surgery that is most often done under general anesthesia. A full incision is made from one hipbone to the other and the incision will also need to address the area where the navel is located.
This type of tuck is best for those who are presently within 20 to 30 percent of their ideal weight. This operation provides more dramatic results than that obtained with the partial tuck.
Following the procedure you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. This is up to the surgeon's discretion. Those who suffered complications during the operation will be required to do so for sure. Whether you go home right away or stay for the night you will need someone to drive you home because you are not allowed to do it yourself for safety reasons.
A partial abdominoplasty is often known in layperson's terms as a mini tummy tuck. It is not as invasive in nature as a complete abdominoplasty is. It is generally done on an outpatient basis and is well suited to patients who are within 10 percent of the weight that they desire to be.
The incision is shorter than for the full operation and is made in the lower portion of the abdominal area. In this instance the belly button is left intact. The doctor may decide to do liposuction in order to remove fatty deposits that are below the navel area. What this serves to do is to tighten the muscles that extend from the belly button to the pubis.
Patients who have the partial cosmetic procedure will recover faster than those who opt for the complete one because the operation is not as extensive. It is therefore easier for the body to begin to heal itself because the trauma is less. It is also worth noting however that the end result of a mini tuck is not as dramatic.
A person who has abdominal muscles that require a great deal of tightening is better off having a full tuck. This is also the case for those who have a body weight that is greater than 20 percent of what their weight should be. This is something that you can discuss with the cosmetic surgeon at length.
For candidates who fit this description, liposuction is often a part of the surgery. The two combined boast excellent results that most patients are very pleased with. Always choose a board certified plastic surgeon if you decide to undergo an abdominoplasty.
