Extended Tummy Tuck

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boulder, CO

Designed primarily for individuals who have undergone significant weight loss, an extended tummy tuck is a comprehensive abdominoplasty technique. While a traditional tummy tuck focuses on the front of the stomach, this procedure employs a longer incision to address the abdomen, hips, and flanks (or “love handles”). By removing excess fat and skin from these areas and the lower back, the extended approach provides superior contouring for the entire midsection.

Renowned for his patient-focused care and technical skill, Dr. Nathan Roesner is a board-certified plastic surgeon leading the dedicated team of specialists at Aura Advanced Skin Care & Plastic Surgery and serving patients across Colorado. With an extended tummy tuck, Dr. Roesner focuses on achieving comprehensive body contouring while upholding the highest standards of safety and aesthetic excellence.

To learn more about the transformative power of an extended tummy tuck, contact us online or call (303) 440-7546 to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Roesner.

About Extended Tummy Tuck

Massive weight loss or pregnancy often leaves patients with loose, sagging skin and excess dermal tissue that can cause significant physical discomfort and diminish self-esteem. (1) An extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is especially effective at addressing these concerns. While a traditional abdominoplasty focuses solely on the front and lower abdomen, an extended tummy tuck treats the entire midsection, including the flanks, love handles, and sometimes the lower back. Dr. Roesner employs this specialized technique for patients who require more comprehensive contouring than the traditional procedure can achieve, especially those who have undergone drastic weight loss. An extended tummy tuck can help patients achieve a smoother, more toned silhouette while restoring a positive self-image.

Addressing a Growing Need

With bariatric surgery becoming a more common solution to morbid obesity, redundant skin affects up to 96% of surgical weight loss patients. (2) And, as GLP-1 medication use becomes more prevalent, more and more patients struggle with redundant skin after weight reduction. When skin loses elasticity and cannot properly retract after major weight loss, it sags and droops. The extended abdominoplasty is the optimal solution for these cases, as the longer incision allows Dr. Roesner to remove a greater amount of excess tissue across the torso to create a more harmonious, sculpted physique.

Benefits

An extended tummy tuck can provide immense physical and psychological advantages for patients who have undergone significant weight loss. By eliminating the burden of excess skin and tightening underlying muscles, this procedure provides:

  • Improved Body Contours: This comprehensive approach removes excess skin across the abdomen, hips, and flanks to create a toned silhouette that more visibly reflects the weight loss.
  • Increased Physical Comfort: Loose skin can negatively affect mobility and cause irritation and discomfort. Removing the excess tissue can unburden physical movements and bring a sense of relief.
  • Strengthened Abdominal Muscles: Abdominoplasty includes repairing or tightening abdominal muscles that may have separated (diastasis recti) due to pregnancy or major weight strain, which helps fortify the midsection and contributes to a flatter, firmer appearance.
  • Enhanced Confidence and Self-Image: Eliminating unsightly excess skin around the abdomen can restore a patient’s self-esteem, allowing them to feel more confident and unconfined in their body.
  • Long-Lasting, Transformative Results: Provided the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle and stable weight, the results of this surgical body contouring procedure are virtually permanent.

Candidates

Potential candidates for an extended tummy tuck will have a large amount of loose skin on their torso, often following massive weight loss or pregnancy. These individuals should be at or within close range of their goal weight; this is a body sculpting technique, not a weight loss solution, and future weight fluctuations can negatively affect the results. Candidates should be in overall good health and be non-smokers (or prepared to quit nicotine for an extended period). All potential patients must keep realistic expectations about the surgical process, recovery period, and potential outcomes. Dr. Roesner will determine all patients’ candidacy during the personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

This initial meeting is a crucial opportunity for an in-depth discussion about your body contouring goals and Dr. Roesner’s surgical approach. He will review your medical history, including any prior surgeries and pre-existing conditions. He will conduct a thorough physical examination, assessing your midsection for the quality and amount of excess skin, taking measurements where necessary to plan the best approach. You can openly ask questions, and Dr. Roesner will thoroughly explain all details of the procedure and recovery process. With this necessary information, Dr. Roesner will create a customized treatment plan to create natural-looking results that align with your goals.

If you are ready to start exploring your options and discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Roesner, we encourage you to either contact us online or call (303) 440-7546 to schedule a personal consultation.

Preparation

Dr. Roesner will provide you with detailed pre-operative instructions during your consultation, and it is imperative that you follow them closely to ensure the safest possible surgery and a smooth recovery process.

General preparation guidelines include:

  • Temporarily suspending use of any blood-thinning medications or supplements.
  • If applicable, quitting smoking at least two months before surgery.
  • Abstaining from alcohol two weeks before surgery.
  • Arranging personal transportation and assistance for the day of the procedure and at least 24-48 hours of initial recovery.
  • Preparing a comfortable recovery space with easy access to all necessary supplies.
  • Filling all prescriptions in advance.

Procedure

An extended tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure, and you will receive general anesthesia to remain comfortable. Dr. Roesner is precise in his surgical approach, aiming for optimal aesthetic results while prioritizing patient safety. He starts by making a horizontal incision discreetly below the belly button, typically running along the natural curve of an underwear band. Unlike a standard tummy tuck, which uses a hip-to-hip incision, the extended incision continues around the hips to the flanks and love handles, allowing for comprehensive contouring of the entire torso. If necessary, he may make a second incision around the navel to reposition it.

Dr. Roesner carefully lifts the skin and fat layer to create a soft tissue “flap.” He will then tighten and suture any separated or weakened abdominal muscles, providing internal support and creating a firmer foundation for the abdomen. He will then pull the skin flap taut over the torso and carefully trim away excess tissue. Dr. Roesner meticulously sutures the remaining skin for a smooth closure, applying surgical dressings and a compression garment to support healing.

Recovery

You should plan for at least two weeks of dedicated rest to ensure a safe and effective recovery. It is normal to experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treatment area during the first few weeks, but this is manageable with prescribed pain medication. You must continuously wear a compression garment to manage swelling and support the newly contoured tissues. While rest is paramount, light, occasional walking around your house or neighborhood can help maintain healthy blood flow and reduce the risk of clotting. You must strictly avoid any strenuous exercise or activity for at least two months, or until Dr. Roesner has cleared you to return to your full activity level. Excessive strain can compromise the incision sites and muscle repair. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and adhere to Dr. Roesner’s post-operative instructions to ensure optimal healing and results.

Results

The comprehensive nature of the extended tummy tuck provides a dramatic and long-lasting body transformation. Once the initial swelling subsides over the weeks and months following your procedure, you will begin to see the full aesthetic outcome.

The key results include:

  • A Smoother, Toned Torso: You will notice a significant reduction in loose, excess skin across your abdomen, hips, and flanks, revealing a flatter and more sculpted physique.
  • Firmed Abdominal Profile: Repaired abdominal muscles will contribute to a stronger core and a noticeably firmer contour.
  • Enhanced Confidence: Patients report a significant boost in self-confidence, feeling more comfortable in their clothing and with their overall body image.

The results of your extended tummy tuck will be virtually permanent, provided you maintain a stable weight through healthy lifestyle choices.

Corresponding Procedures

While the extended tummy tuck is a transformative procedure in and of itself, many patients choose to augment their treatment plan with additional body contouring procedures. Dr. Roesner can help you decide what is right for you during your personal consultation.

Some coordinating procedures include:

  • Liposuction: For patients who have reached their goal weight but still have stubborn, localized deposits of fat on the torso or other areas, liposuction will refine the contours and create a smoother transition between the abdomen and the rest of the body.
  • Arm Lift: An arm lift improves the shape of the upper arm through the removal of excess skin, often referred to as “bat wings.” In conjunction with the extended tummy tuck, this procedure can help achieve further refinement to the upper body by toning the extremities.
  • Thigh Lift: As the extended tummy tuck focuses on the torso and flanks, a thigh lift improves the comfort and aesthetic of the lower body by reshaping the thighs.

Cost of Extended Tummy Tuck in Boulder, CO

The cost of an extended tummy tuck depends on the unique details of each patient’s treatment plan, including the extent of the procedure and whether or not they include any additional treatments. During your personal consultation, Dr. Roesner will provide you with a comprehensive price list that reflects your treatment plan. If you are ready to start planning your body contouring transformation, please contact us online or call (303) 440-7546.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a standard and extended tummy tuck?

A standard tummy tuck confines treatment to the front of the abdomen. An extended tummy tuck is a more comprehensive technique that uses a longer incision to address excess skin and fat not just on the belly, but also across the hips, flanks (love handles), and sometimes the lower back, resulting in full-torso contouring.

Does an extended tummy tuck leave noticeable scars?

An extended tummy tuck requires a long incision to remove the large amount of excess tissue. However, Dr. Roesner is committed to minimizing the visibility of scarring by meticulously placing the incisions in the most inconspicuous areas, typically below the belly button near the underwear line. Scars will continue to fade and mature over time, and Dr. Roesner can discuss scar-minimizing agents with you once the incisions are fully healed.

What happens if I gain weight after surgery?

While the procedure provides long-lasting results, significant weight gain following any tummy tuck procedure can strain the skin and potentially diminish your aesthetic results. Maintaining healthy eating habits and regular exercise is critical to preserving your newly sculpted body contour.

References

  1. Bocchiotti MA, Baglioni EA, Bruschi S, Spaziante L, Ruka E. The experience performing extended abdominoplasty in massive weight loss patients. Plast Aesthet Res. 2017;4:57-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2016.111
  2. Sadeghi P, Duarte-Bateman D, Ma W, Khalaf R, Fodor R, Pieretti G, Ciccarelli F, Harandi H, Cuomo R. Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery: Abdominoplasty, the State of the Art in Body Contouring. J Clin Med. 2022 Jul 25;11(15):4315. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9330885/