The extended tummy tuck does everything the standard (full) tummy tuck does, but it offers a more comprehensive solution by also addressing the abdomen, flanks, hips, and lower back. Ideal for those who have lost significant weight, it removes more excess skin laterally than a standard tummy tuck.
The procedure involves a longer incision that extends past the iliac crest to the midaxillary line, allowing for the removal of more skin and fat over the hips and outer thighs. This ensures a more thorough contouring of the body’s midsection and side hips.
Before going into the specifics of an extended tummy tuck, let’s compare it with other tummy tuck procedures, as well as the body lift, to help highlight the similarities and differences in body contouring options.
What are the types of Tummy Tuck procedures?
There are several types of tummy tucks, or abdominoplasties, tailored to different needs and goals. The right type of tummy tuck for you will depend on factors such as skin laxity, fat distribution, and abdominal wall strength. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision for your body contouring journey.
Standard Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Target Areas: Primarily the abdominal area
- Incision: Horizontal incision just above the pubic area, from iliac crest to iliac crest
- Scope: Removes excess skin and fat, tightens abdominal muscles
- Ideal Candidates: Individuals with loose skin and muscle laxity confined to the abdomen
- Cost: $8300 est
Extended Tummy Tuck
- Target Areas: Abdomen, flanks, and hips
- Incision: Longer than a standard tummy tuck incision, it extends past the iliac crest to the midaxillary line, possibly reaching the anterior or posterior midaxillary line
- Scope: Extended Tummy Tuck is more extensive than a standard tummy tuck, addressing a larger area of excess skin, and providing benefit to the front and outer thighs
- Ideal Candidates: Patients with significant weight loss affecting the abdomen and flanks
- Cost: $9400 – $11,000
Tummy Tuck with Lateral Thigh Lift
- Target Areas: Abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, and lower back
- Incision: This is even more skin excision than an extended tummy tuck. The incision goes around the hips and further past the posterior midaxillary line. The incision stops short of the buttocks crease.
- Scope: More extensive than an extended tummy tuck, as it addresses loose skin hanging over the outer thighs. It will often times give more lift to the buttocks.
- Ideal Candidates: Patients with significant weight loss creating loose skin over the abdomen, flanks, hips, and outer thighs
- Cost: $13,250 est
Body Lift (Circumferential/Lower Body Lift, 360 Body Lift)
- Target Areas: Abdomen, flanks, lower back, buttocks, and thighs
- Incision: Circumferential incision around the lower torso, also referred to as a 360 Body Lift
- Scope: Comprehensive contouring, lifting, and tightening of the lower body
- Ideal Candidates: Individuals with substantial skin laxity around the entire lower body, often after massive weight loss, providing a complete torso reshaping and lifting of the posterior buttocks
- Cost: $17,000 – $20,000
How Long is an Extended Tummy Tuck Incision?
Incision placement determines the resulting scar, making this a crucial aspect of your tummy tuck procedure. The length and location of incisions vary based on the type of tummy tuck performed.
Anterior, Mid, and Posterior Axillary Lines
Vertical axillary lines, which include the anterior, midaxillary, and posterior axillary lines, serve as essential reference points in determining the length of the incision for an extended tummy tuck.
Plastic surgeons use these anatomical markers to decide how far the incision will extend, typically between the anterior and posterior axillary lines.
This decision is based on the specific areas that need contouring.
Understanding these markers helps patients visualize the surgical plan and anticipate the resulting scars.
This knowledge aids in managing expectations and preparing for post-operative care.
Standard Tummy Tuck incision length
In a standard tummy tuck, the incision typically spans horizontally from iliac crest to iliac crest, and it is placed above the pubic area so the scar is easily concealed. The anterior axillary line, which runs vertically from the front of the armpit down the torso, marks the lateral limit of this incision.
Extended Tummy Tuck incision length
In an extended tummy tuck, the incision extends further around the flanks, reaching past the hip towards the lower back. This procedure addresses excess skin and fat in the abdomen and flanks. The incision may extend to the midaxillary line, which runs vertically from the middle of the armpit down the side of the torso. This extension provides more comprehensive contouring, which is especially beneficial for patients who have experienced significant weight loss.
Tummy Tuck with a Lateral Thigh Lift incision length
A tummy tuck combined with a lateral thigh lift involves the most extensive and longest incision, often extending to the posterior axillary line. This anatomical landmark runs vertically from the back of the armpit down the side of the torso. This approach allows for a more extensive removal of excess skin and fat, essentially lifting the lateral thighs, providing a more comprehensive body contouring solution for patients with substantial skin laxity around their entire lower body.
Body Contouring Incision & Coverage Summary:
- Standard Tummy Tuck: Incision goes from iliac crest to iliac crest on the front of the torso, focuses on the front abdomen.
- Extended Tummy Tuck: Incision extends past the iliac crest to the general area of the mid-axillary line. It can stop at the anterior axillary line or go further to the posterior axillary line, extending around the flanks.
- Lateral Thigh Lift: This incision goes further than the posterior axillary line , but stops short of the buttock crease.
- Body Lift: Circumferential 360 degree incision covering the entire lower torso, including abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs.
Watch Dr. Rodriguez discuss tummy tuck incisions and illustrate the differences between regular and extended tummy tucks to help guide you in choosing the right procedure for your desired body goals in this video: Do I need a regular or extended tummy tuck?
Before & After an Extended Tummy Tuck
This patient achieved her body contouring goals by opting for an Extended Tummy Tuck with Dr. Rodriguez in Baltimore. In her case, the incision was extended laterally to a point between the midaxillary line and the posterior axillary line.
Watch this patient’s dramatic transformation (front view) following her extended tummy tuck . . .
Is an Extended Tummy Tuck More Expensive than a standard Tummy Tuck?
As compared to a standard tummy tuck, an extended tummy tuck is more expensive because the surgical plan is more complex since surgery involves the front, sides, and back of the torso. Since the extended tummy tuck addresses the abdomen as well as the flanks, it takes longer which impacts the cost of the surgeon’s fee, anesthesiologist fee, and the OR fee.
Here in Baltimore, our standard abdominoplasty starts at $8,300 while an extended tummy tuck starts at $9,450. Of course the actual costs can vary based on your individualized treatment plan and specific needs. For a personalized and accurate estimate aligned with your unique goals, schedule a consult with Dr. Rodriguez.
