Extended Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Jersey
The extended tummy tuck is a variation of the standard tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure, designed to remove excess skin and tighten muscles in patients with either higher BMIs and/or larger frames. Rather than focusing on the abdomen alone, these procedures help contour the flanks and torso.(1) After significant weight loss or pregnancy, many patients are left with loose skin and excess dermal tissue around their former fat deposits; an extended tummy tuck can help patients with a large amount of excess skin achieve a more sculpted physique.
If you have excess skin around your abdomen, you may benefit from a tummy tuck procedure. Dr. Joseph Racanelli is a board-certified surgeon who has specialized and refined techniques for abdominoplasty procedures of all scales. Schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Racanelli to begin planning your extended tummy tuck today.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call one of our New Jersey or Manhattan offices at (888) 409-0801. We will be happy to assist you and provide any extra information you may need.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About
Excess skin after weight loss or pregnancy is a frustrating hurdle to face that can significantly diminish an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, this excess skin can be burdensome, inconvenient, uncomfortable, and more. Extended tummy tucks take the methods employed in a traditional abdominoplasty procedure and apply them to individuals with larger frames, higher BMIs, or who have significantly more amounts of excess skin.
Extended tummy tucks can also be performed on individuals of a more average size. In these procedures, the procedure is not limited to the abdomen. Extended tummy tucks will treat the love handles, ribcage, and flanks as well. Many people opt for an extended tummy tuck after losing a significant amount of weight. The skin may not retract properly, which leads to sagging and drooping. Others choose this procedure following pregnancy, where stretching of the skin and separation of the abdominal muscles occur. Tummy tuck surgeries are extremely common, with thousands performed annually across the United States. (1) The popularity of this procedure stems from patients’ desires to reclaim their body shape, restore confidence, and have improved self-image.
Benefits
Eliminating excess skin and sculpting your body after significant changes offers many benefits. When Dr. Racanelli performs extended tummy tucks, patients typically experience:
- Improved body contours: Removing excess skin will help you achieve the smooth, toned silhouette you have been working toward.
- Increased comfort: Excess skin can get in the way of clothing, exercise, and much more. Eliminating this means you can feel comfortable in the clothing you want to wear and you will not be held back by your skin.
- Strengthened muscles: The abdominal muscles can weaken with pregnancy, so a key part of abdominoplasty is tightening these muscles to protect your body. This also helps to create the toned appearance that you desire.
- Boosted confidence: Excess unsightly skin around your abdomen can severely diminish self-esteem. Once this is gone, you will feel more confident each day.
- Long-lasting results: A surgical correction like abdominoplasty will create long-lasting results.
- Personalized care: You can collaborate with Dr. Racanelli to create your customized procedure that produces the results you want to see. We make your comfort and desired results our top priority.
Candidates
Ideal candidates for an extended tummy tuck are any patients who have a significant amount of excess skin on their torso. This can be from weight loss, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and more. Patients should also be in reasonably good overall health. It is important to note that a tummy tuck is a body sculpting procedure, not a weight loss treatment. Because of this, patients need to be at or near their ideal goal weight.
Losing significant amounts of weight after a tummy tuck can significantly alter results. Finally, patients should be willing to closely follow the preparation and recovery instructions provided by Dr. Racanelli and have realistic expectations for their results.
Personal Consultation
The first step in your extended tummy tuck procedure is meeting with Dr. Racanelli. At this initial appointment, you will explain your motivations for seeking a procedure and discuss your goals. You can explore the treatment options that are available to you. Dr. Racanelli will also examine your abdomen and take some measurements.
Once he has gathered the necessary information, he will plan a procedure that creates natural-looking results that meet your expectations. Your medical history will also be reviewed at this appointment. We want to ensure a safe and effective procedure, so screening for any medications, supplements, prior procedures, or preexisting conditions that could cause complications is a standard requirement in our planning phase.
Preparation
You will receive specific preparation instructions from Dr. Racanelli before your procedure. Extended tummy tucks are performed with the patient placed under general anesthesia, so you may be required to fast for at least the night before your procedure. Additionally, you may need to alter your medication and/or supplement regimens. Any blood-thinning medications should be avoided for at least a week before your abdominoplasty. You will also need to arrange transportation to and from your procedure, and if you smoke (or use nicotine products in general), you will need to quit for a period of time before and after your procedure.
Procedure
The extended tummy tuck will follow a similar procedure to that of a standard abdominoplasty. Once you have been placed under general anesthesia, Dr. Racanelli will make an incision in your abdomen. This will be below the belly button near the underwear line. In a standard tummy tuck, this incision stretches from hip bone to hip bone.(2) In an extended tummy tuck, this will be extended to your love handles and cross your entire abdomen. Once this incision is made, Dr. Racanelli will carefully remove connective tissue underneath your skin to create a “flap.” This flap is draped over the torso and excess skin is marked.(2) Dr. Racanelli will carefully remove the excess skin, and you will be left with a smoother torso.
Recovery
After your procedure, you will need to prioritize resting to optimize results. Most patients will require at least 2 weeks of rest to ensure a safe and effective recovery. You can expect to see some swelling in the treatment area during the first few weeks. You should take medications as instructed. You should avoid any strenuous exercise or activity for at least 2 months, or until Dr. Racanelli declares it safe for you to return to all activities. While rest is important, we also recommend occasionally walking around your house or neighborhood to maintain a healthy blood flow.
Results
Once you have seen a reduction in your swelling, you will immediately notice a smoother, flatter torse with less unsightly loose skin. Abdominoplasty procedures can also tighten the abdominal muscles if they separated during weight gain or pregnancy. Overall, you will enjoy a more sculpted body, which may encourage a boost of confidence.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Many patients will receive a liposuction treatment in conjunction with a tummy tuck. If you have lost significant amounts of weight but are still plagued by stubborn deposits of fat, then liposuction can help you sculpt your body to your ideal image.
Cost of Extended Tummy Tucks in New Jersey and NYC
The total cost of your extended tummy tuck will depend on a few factors, like the scale and duration of the procedure, anesthesia fees, and your personal goals. Because of this, costs can vary. If you are interested in receiving an extended tummy tuck and would like to get a quote for the price, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Racanelli.
We also offer financing options for our patients. If you have any questions about payments, pricing, procedures, our practice, or anything else, please call either our Morristown, Newark, or Manhattan office at (888) 409-0801 and speak with one of our expert professionals today.
FAQ
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and an extended tummy tuck?
A standard tummy tuck only treats the abdomen (belly). An extended tummy tuck eliminates excess skin on the back, sides, and belly to further contour the body and create a smooth, toned silhouette.
Do extended tummy tucks leave scars?
Dr. Racanelli takes special care to place incisions in inconspicuous areas. As you continue to heal in the months after your procedure, your scar will continue to fade.
How should I recover after my extended tummy tuck?
You will receive specific recovery instructions from Dr. Racanelli for your unique medical history and procedure. However, you should plan to stay on bed rest for up to two weeks and avoid any exercise or significant work for up to two months.
What happens if I gain weight after an extended tummy tuck?
Gaining weight after any tummy tuck procedure has the potential to impact results. Gaining weight can strain the skin. It will be important to exercise and practice healthy eating habits to mitigate significant weight fluctuations after your procedure.
References
- Zhitny VP, Iftekhar N, Zide B, Stile F. Large extended abdominoplasty—dispelling the myths of prohibitively high BMI’s: a case report. Journal of Surgical Case Reports. 2020;2020(6). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjaa145
- Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/