A standard tummy tuck is one of the most popular forms of body contouring surgery.
The surgery aims to remove any excess fat or skin from the abdominal area and tighten the abdominal wall to create a tighter abdomen.
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Learn about a standard tummy tuck, its benefits, cost, and how it compares to an extended tummy tuck. Learn more with MedConsulto.
Standard Tummy Tuck Procedure
A standard tummy tuck is performed by making an incision in the waist crease and around the navel. The navel is freed from its attachment to the abdominal skin and down to the abdominal wall where it remains attached to the underlying muscles below.
This is so that it still has circulation to keep it alive until it can be repositioned.
A standard tummy tuck is recommended when there is excess skin in both the upper and lower abdomen or when the entire abdominal wall needs to be tightened.
There is usually laxity in the upper abdominal wall when there is significant excess skin in the upper abdomen. Therefore, a standard tummy tuck is the most common procedure.
After the entire abdominal skin has been lifted to the ribcage and the muscles have been tightened, the excess skin is pulled down, past the incision and the excess skin is marked with a surgical marker. The excess skin is then removed.
The incision is temporarily closed with staples, sutures or clips so that its contour can be assessed. Once the surgeon is comfortable with the amount of skin removed, the navel is pulled back and stitched to create a new navel. The navel will now have a scar around its border, but this is usually not clearly visible.
Benefits of standard tummy tuck
1. Improved Appearance
A standard tummy tuck dramatically changes the appearance of your abdomen by sculpting your body into a more desirable shape. After surgery, patients are happy to see that they have a firmer, flatter abdomen that is more in line with their natural weight and body shape.
2. Back Pain Relief
Having good posture allows you to sit and stand up straight, giving you confidence and improving your appearance. However, another benefit of improving your posture comes from relieving back pain. By improving your posture, you can reduce your risk of developing back conditions or improve your current condition, thereby relieving your back pain.
3. Hernia Relief
If you have a certain type of abdominal hernia, a standard tummy tuck can be an option in addition to hernia repair to relieve pain and prevent it from recurring. By tightening your abdominal muscles and strengthening your abdominal wall.
4. Easier to Exercise
With a newly sculpted abdomen, the activities you used to love so much will become less tiring and more enjoyable.
What is the ideal weight for tummy tuck?
Most surgeons prefer to perform a standard tummy tuck on patients whose BMI is less than 30. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered normal. Ideally, a standard tummy tuck will be scheduled when you have maintained the same weight for at least six months.
Standard tummy tuck vs extended tummy tuck
Understanding the differences between the two procedures is crucial for individuals considering this type of cosmetic procedure.
- Treatment Scope: A standard tummy tuck focuses on the front of the abdomen, while an extended tummy tuck targets the abdomen, flanks, and lower back, providing a more comprehensive reshaping of the midsection.
- Incision Length: An extended tummy tuck involves a longer incision that wraps around the lower torso, while a standard tummy tuck’s incision is limited to the front of the abdomen.
- Recovery Time: An extended tummy tuck can take longer to recover than a standard tummy tuck. Patients may need to take more time to recover and may experience more discomfort initially.
- Ideal Candidates: While both procedures are suitable for individuals looking to improve the shape of their abdomen, an extended tummy tuck is particularly beneficial for those who have excess skin or fat around the entire lower torso, often after significant weight loss.
Read more: What types of tummy tucks are there?
Standard tummy tuck scar
The scar from a standard tummy tuck typically runs across your abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone, just above your pubic area. Also, you may have a small scar around your belly button.
Standard tummy tuck cost
According to the 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons report, the average cost of a standard tummy tuck is between $5,000 and $6,000. But that doesn’t include other costs like anesthesia, the operating room, or medications.
Once you add these costs, the price can rise to nearly $30,000 depending on your location. The surgeon’s level of experience and the type of tummy tuck you have can increase or decrease the final cost of the procedure.
While the cost of a tummy tuck in Turkey in 2024 ranges from around $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the extent of the procedure and the location of the clinic.
Why Choose medconsulto?
Would you like to learn more about the costs and benefits of a tummy tuck? Are you looking for a cosmetic procedure to improve your appearance and boost your self-confidence? If so, contact us at MedConsulto and our trained team of plastic surgeons can discuss all of the personalized treatment options available to you.
