Extended Tummy Tuck
Extended Tummy Tuck NJ & NYC
The extended tummy tuck is a variation of the standard tummy tuck procedure designed to remove excess skin and tighten muscles in patients with higher BMIs, larger frames, or more extensive loose skin. Instead of focusing on the abdomen alone, it also contours the flanks and torso.
After significant weight loss or pregnancy, many patients are left with loose skin and excess dermal tissue around former fat deposits. An extended tummy tuck can help create a smoother, more sculpted physique.
Extended contouring
Abdomen • Flanks • Love Handles • Torso
Ideal after change
Weight loss • Pregnancy • Excess skin
Board-certified care
Specialized abdominoplasty techniques
About Extended Tummy Tuck
Designed for larger treatment areas and more extensive excess skin
Extended tummy tucks take the methods used in a traditional abdominoplasty and apply them to individuals with larger frames, higher BMIs, or significantly more excess skin. Unlike the standard tummy tuck, the extended version also treats the love handles, ribcage, and flanks.
Many patients choose this procedure after significant weight loss or pregnancy, both of which can leave skin stretched and muscles separated.
Before & After
Gallery preview
Real patient before and after photos, 100% uneditted results.
Real patient before and after photos, 100% uneditted results.
Real patient before and after photos, 100% uneditted results.
Breast Lift Benefits
Comprehensive improvement in contour, comfort, and confidence
1
Improved body contours
Removing excess skin helps create a smoother, toned silhouette.
2
Increased comfort
Reducing burdensome loose skin can make clothing, exercise, and everyday movement easier.
3
Strengthened muscles
Abdominal muscle tightening can support the core and improve the appearance of the midsection.
4
Boosted confidence
Eliminating unsightly loose skin often leads to improved self-esteem and body image.
5
Long-lasting results
Surgical correction can create durable contouring benefits when supported by a stable lifestyle.
6
Personalized care
Each plan is customized around your anatomy, comfort, and desired final result.
Candidates
Who may be a good candidate for an extended tummy tuck?
Ideal candidates are patients with a significant amount of excess skin on the torso from weight loss, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, or related causes. Patients should be in reasonably good overall health and at or near their goal weight.
An extended tummy tuck is a body sculpting procedure, not a weight-loss treatment. Significant weight changes after surgery can impact results, so stable habits and realistic expectations are important.
Non-smokers, or patients who have stopped smoking for at least 4–6 weeks before surgery, are better candidates for safe healing. Patients with significant obesity or active medical conditions may be asked to optimize their health before scheduling surgery.
Patients who have lost a large amount of weight through bariatric surgery or lifestyle change are often among the best candidates for extended tummy tuck, as they frequently have significant skin excess throughout the torso that diet and exercise cannot resolve.
Personal Consultation
Building a personalized plan for larger-scale contouring
What happens during consultation
- Discuss your motivations and body goals
- Review treatment options and expected outcomes
- Examination of your abdomen and torso
- Measurements and surgical planning
- Review of your medical history, medications, supplements, and prior procedures
Natural-looking planning
After gathering the necessary information, Dr. Racanelli designs a procedure intended to create natural-looking results that align with your expectations while supporting safety and long-term satisfaction.
Dr. Racanelli's Approach to Extended Abdominoplasty
An extended tummy tuck is one of the more involved body contouring procedures I perform, and the planning process reflects that. The goal is not simply to remove skin, it is to reshape the torso in a way that looks natural and proportionate, and that addresses the underlying muscle changes that often accompany major weight loss or pregnancy.
I approach each case by evaluating the full torso: the amount and distribution of excess skin, the degree of muscle laxity, and the contour of the flanks and love handles. How much the incision extends beyond the standard hip-to-hip line depends on where the excess skin is and how it needs to be repositioned for the best possible result. There is no single template for this procedure, the incision length and approach are planned specifically around each patient's anatomy.
When there is diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles that commonly occurs after pregnancy or significant weight change, I repair the muscles during the same procedure. Muscle repair is what produces the flat, supported midsection that patients often associate with tummy tuck results. Without it, the contour improvement is more limited.
Extended tummy tuck surgery is performed in an accredited hospital setting under general anesthesia with a board-certified anesthesiologist. Recovery is longer than a standard tummy tuck, and I make sure each patient understands what the recovery period looks like before we schedule a date.
Preparation
Important steps before surgery
- Fast the night before if instructed, since the procedure is performed under general anesthesia
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for at least a week before surgery
- Arrange transportation to and from your procedure
- Stop smoking or nicotine use for a period before and after surgery
Procedure
An extended incision for a more comprehensive result
How it differs from a standard tummy tuck
Like a standard abdominoplasty, the procedure begins under general anesthesia with an incision placed low on the abdomen near the underwear line. In the standard tummy tuck, the incision typically runs from hip bone to hip bone.
What makes it “extended”
In the extended tummy tuck, the incision continues farther to the love handles and spans more of the torso. After creating a tissue flap, excess skin is marked and removed to leave a smoother, flatter torso with better contour through the abdomen and sides.
Abdominal Muscle Repair
If abdominal muscles have separated due to pregnancy or weight loss (diastasis recti), Dr. Racanelli tightens them during the same procedure using internal sutures. This repair creates a flatter, firmer midsection that supports the core, an outcome no amount of liposuction or skin removal alone can achieve.
Recovery & Results
Rest first, then return gradually
Recovery
Most patients require at least two weeks of rest for a safe and effective recovery. Swelling in the treatment area is common in the early weeks, and medications should be taken exactly as instructed. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least two months, or until you are cleared to return to all activities. Light walking is encouraged to help maintain healthy blood flow.
Results
As swelling improves, patients typically notice a smoother, flatter torso with much less loose skin. Tightening of abdominal muscles can also improve core support and enhance the final shape. The overall result is a more sculpted body and, for many patients, a strong boost in confidence.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Procedures Often Combined With Extended Tummy Tuck
Many patients also receive liposuction in conjunction with a tummy tuck. If stubborn fat deposits remain after major weight loss, liposuction can help refine the body further and support a more complete final contour.
Cost
Cost of procedures in New Jersey
At the practice of Dr. Racanelli, we prioritize transparency in our pricing structure to ensure our patients are well-informed about the factors influencing costs. Our key pricing determinants for extended tummy tuck surgery are the extent of skin removal, surgical duration, operational complexity, and hospital and anesthesia fees. For detailed information tailored to your specific goals, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our experienced team. We also offer convenient financing options through Cherry. Call (888) 409-0801 to reach one of Dr. Racanelli's locations in Morristown, Newark, or New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and an extended tummy tuck?
Do extended tummy tucks leave scars?
How should I recover after my extended tummy tuck?
What happens if I gain weight after an extended tummy tuck?
Will my extended tummy tuck address separated abdominal muscles?
If diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles, is present, Dr. Racanelli can repair it during the same procedure. Muscle repair creates a flatter, more supported midsection that skin removal alone cannot achieve. Your consultation will include an assessment of whether muscle repair is appropriate for your case.
Is extended tummy tuck the same as a body lift?
Not exactly. An extended tummy tuck focuses on the abdomen, flanks, and love handles via a single extended incision across the front. A lower body lift or belt lipectomy goes all the way around the torso, also addressing the lower back and buttocks. For patients with significant skin excess around the entire midsection after major weight loss, a body lift may be discussed as an alternative. Dr. Racanelli will help determine which approach fits your anatomy and goals.
Am I a candidate for extended tummy tuck if I haven't had weight loss surgery?
Yes. Extended tummy tuck is not limited to post-bariatric patients. It is appropriate for anyone with a significant amount of excess skin on the torso, whether from pregnancy, natural weight loss, hormonal changes, or genetic factors. The key criteria are stable weight, good overall health, and realistic expectations about the outcome.
How is the extended tummy tuck scar managed?
Why Patients Choose Dr. Racanelli for Extended Tummy Tuck Surgery
Extended tummy tuck is one of the more technically demanding body contouring procedures, requiring careful planning of the incision pattern, precise management of large tissue flaps, and, when indicated, repair of separated abdominal muscles. Dr. Racanelli's training as a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon covers each of these elements.
All extended tummy tuck procedures are performed at an accredited hospital with a board-certified anesthesiologist, not in a standalone surgical suite. Patients receive consistent care from Dr. Racanelli directly at each stage: consultation, surgery, and follow-up.
Patients seeking extended tummy tuck surgery travel to Dr. Racanelli from throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, including from Morristown, Newark, Summit, Short Hills, Montclair, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Racanelli
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