Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck, also called an extended abdominoplasty, is a procedure that provides more comprehensive body-contouring results than a standard tummy tuck. Just like a traditional abdominoplasty, it involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the midsection, but the cosmetic improvements extend to the flanks and lower back. With this technique, surgeons can remove more tissue to restore a slimmer waist, creating an aesthetic outcome that appears more natural-looking and matches the newly formed contours of the abdomen. The extended tummy tuck is an excellent option for patients who are bothered by the appearance of their love handles and pockets of fat in the lower back area.

If you are looking to fully rejuvenate your body and confidence, book your consultation at Las Vegas Body Sculpting in Las Vegas. At our practice, you can expect premium-quality care under the experienced care of Dr. Mustafa Ahmed. As a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ahmed strives to implement the latest techniques, promoting the highest quality results with safety practices in mind. He prides himself in taking the time necessary to get to know every patient’s needs and forming customized treatment plans that are unique to every body type.

To get started today, call (702) 899-8100 or request your meeting with Dr. Ahmed through our contact form, and we can help find a time and date that aligns with your schedule.

Before and After Photos

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What Causes Abdominal Fat and Skin Laxity?

Abdominal fat can be attributed to many lifestyle and health factors that are not always straightforward to address. Many individuals struggle to attain the ideal flat and toned midsection that is so highly sought-after. Even after following a proper diet and exercise routine, many struggle to trim down this part of the body. In particular, women who have experienced pregnancy may have a stubborn belly bulge due to diastasis recti, a condition characterized by separated abdominal muscles. ⁽¹⁾ Skin laxity is another issue that develops when the underlying fat tissue atrophies and the skin is unable to retract tightly. Factors such as hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy changes, and weight fluctuations from weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic can also contribute to the presence of unwanted lax skin.

Age is one of the most significant factors when it comes to skin quality; individuals may begin to notice a change in their skin’s appearance as soon as their 30s, a time when the connective fibers of the skin’s dermis begin to degrade. As a result, the skin loses its natural elasticity and youthful tightness, making laxity more likely to develop. In addition, these changes can allow the underlying fat of the midsection to protrude with more ease. ⁽²⁾ In instances of significant weight loss, the skin can lose more of its rigid collagen fibers while accumulating more elastin fibers, leading to overly stretchy skin.

Regardless of your cosmetic concerns, an extended tummy tuck can properly address all of these with not only fat removal but also skin and muscle tightening techniques.

Benefits of the Extended Tummy Tuck

All tummy tucks can aesthetically restore more flattering, athletic contours for the midsection, but an extended tummy tuck comes with its own set of unique advantages. This is what you can expect from Dr. Ahmed’s advanced extended abdominoplasty methods:

Candidates for an Extended Tummy Tuck

Ideal candidates for an extended tummy tuck are in good overall health with no serious underlying conditions that could interfere with the recovery process. Dr. Ahmed will ensure that individuals with health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure have their condition well under control before surgery. The best tummy tuck patients have a BMI under 30 since they are more equipped to handle the surgery and will reap higher-quality results post-procedure.

To see if you qualify for the extended tummy tuck, Dr. Ahmed will evaluate your abdominal tissues while you are sitting. If he finds that this tissue significantly sags over the hips, then he will recommend this approach. If this does not occur, he may recommend a full tummy tuck or even a mini tummy tuck, depending on your body shape and needs.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Ahmed will listen intently to your goals and create a welcoming and professional environment where you can feel free to voice your concerns. He will closely evaluate your body’s tissues around the midsection, determining which surgical method may be most effective to help you achieve your specific vision. He may overview your medical history and your current medications to determine your health status. He will allow you to ask as many questions as you would like, ensuring that you thoroughly understand what the extended tummy tuck entails. Aside from the procedure itself, Dr. Ahmed will also go over what you need to know to prepare well and what you can expect from recovery.

If this innovative approach to the tummy tuck appeals to you, schedule a meeting to speak with Dr. Ahmed to learn more. Call his Las Vegas office at (702) 899-8100 or inquire online, and we will assist you in scheduling your appointment.

Preparation

Dr. Ahmed will review your medications and supplements and require that you stop taking anticoagulant medications and other substances that could interfere with the procedure. If you are a regular smoker or consume nicotine products, he will ask you to stop temporarily for at least a few weeks. Nicotine and the related substances in cigarettes and e-cigarettes can constrict blood vessels and slow down the healing process. In the days leading up to your procedure, you should try to organize comfortable, loose clothing to wear. You should consult Dr. Ahmed on which over-the-counter medications are safe to take during your recovery so that you can stock up beforehand. Finally, making a plan for someone to pick you up is important since you will most likely be able to return home the same day. In the 12 hours before your scheduled surgery, you should refrain from eating to prevent any complications associated with anesthesia.

Extended Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps

For an extended tummy tuck, Dr. Ahmed will either administer local anesthesia with sedation, or his anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may have to stay overnight for monitoring. The required procedure steps are similar to a full tummy tuck:

Corresponding and Complementary Procedures

Traditional Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

Dr. Ahmed performs extended tummy tucks for patients who could benefit from more significant changes to the flanks and lower back, so it is not suitable for everyone. He may recommend a traditional tummy tuck- utilizing a shorter incision technique- alongside fat removal with liposuction. For liposuction, Dr. Ahmed will inject a solution called tumescent fluid to prepare the subcutaneous tissue before removing the targeted fat deposits with a suction instrument called a cannula. He will enhance the liposuction portion of the procedure by applying a VASER (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) device to precisely break down fat deposits with ultrasound before removal. With VASER Hi-Def Liposuction for the abdomen, Dr. Ahmed can strategically leave behind thin layers of fat to highlight abdominal muscular definition, a process called abdominal etching. ⁽³⁾

360 Liposuction

Dr. Ahmed may recommend 360 liposuction to contour the same angles that an extended tummy tuck without incorporating skin removal techniques. VASER liposuction is a more advanced version of traditional liposuction, granting patients a speedier recovery and less bruising post-procedure. ⁽⁴⁾ Since liposuction incisions are very small, the procedure will not require any sutures.

Cost of an Extended Tummy Tuck in Las Vegas

The cost of your extended tummy tuck procedure will depend on the applied techniques, anesthesia, postoperative medications, surgical fees, follow-up appointments, and more. Dr. Ahmed will discuss these cost factors with you during your consultation as well as available financing options.

To take the first step today, contact his Las Vegas location by calling (702) 899-8100 or inquiring with our contact form. In addition to helping schedule your appointment, we will also answer any questions you may have about Las Vegas Body Sculpting or the other procedures detailed in our blog. No matter your cosmetic needs, we will help you find a long-lasting body sculpting solution that will leave you more confident than ever before.

References

1. Hall H, Sanjaghsaz H. Diastasis Recti Rehabilitation. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573063/#:~:text=Introduction-
2. Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/
3. Borille G, Neves PMA, Filho GP, Kim R, Miotto G. Prevention of Umbilical Sagging After Medium Definition Liposuction. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020;41(4):463-473. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaa051
4. Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110