Reverse Abdominoplasty Benefits You Might Not Know

Reverse abdominoplasty is recommended for women with significant amounts of skin laxity in the upper abdomen but with tight cleavage of the breasts.

Cosmetic surgery is highly effective in lengthening and rejuvenating the stomach area and is usually combined with a breast lift and augmentation for optimal outcomes.

Key Takeaways of Reverse Abdominoplasty

• Reverse abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that addresses loose skin in the upper abdomen by removing excess fat and tightening muscles.
• Potential candidates are women who are healthy and in stable weight with little to no excess fat.
• During the procedure, incisions are made along the lower breast folds or sternum, and fatty deposits or lax abdominal muscles may be addressed by suturing or plication.
• After reverse abdominoplasties, patients may experience mild discomfort for 1 to 2 weeks during healing. Following post operative instructions carefully can reduce the risk of infection and complications throughout the recovery.

What is Reverse Abdominoplasty?

The reverse abdominoplasty technique, or upper abdominal reverse abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure frequently performed on women with excess loose skin in their upper abdomen.

The surgical technique used in this particular tummy tuck procedure differs from a standard one. Unlike the traditional tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck, which involves pulling the skin downwards, the surgeon instead removes the skin upwards toward the chest.

The result can be a tighter attachment between your breasts and belly area, which appears unified and natural. A qualified and skilled plastic surgeon will make precise incisions along predetermined locations to minimize any marks or scarring after completing the healing process.

During the procedure, excess fat and tissue are removed through these cuts while ignoring isolated lower back muscles that are repairable during this operation without impairing mobility or posture balance feeling by patients afterward.

Removing excess flesh may also create enough space for repositioning some muscles to be more closely knitted under the remaining fascia layer, providing a desirable body contouring improvement shape effect.

Who is a Candidate for Reverse Abdominoplasty?

This surgery is often considered ideal for women with tightness and tone in their lower stomach area, which can be seen as relatively flat. The same cannot be said for the upper abdominal area, which should exhibit significant laxity due to loose skin or weak muscles resulting from extreme weight loss or age related changes.

Patients must meet eligibility requirements to be considered an ideal candidate for this abdominal muscle repair surgery. These include maintaining a healthy and stable weight and refraining from smoking. Nicotine can impede recovery by preventing poorly healed incisions from healing efficiently. There should be minimal to no excess fat present that could hinder the ability of the surgeon to perform the necessary repair work on weakened abdominal muscles.

The Procedure of Reverse Abdominoplasty

Incision Placement and Technique

Reverse abdominoplasty involves making incisions along the natural folds of the lower breast and across the upper part of the bottom sternum to pull up loose skin of the upper abdomen. After breast surgery, the goal is to create a smooth, uniform look on the abdominal area with minimal scarring.

During surgery, muscle tightening may also be performed depending on the individual’s need to flatten out any belly bulges caused by weakened abdominal muscles. With careful deliberation during placement and technique, reverse abdominoplasty can achieve optimal results by lifting sagging skin for a firmer appearance without compromising the safety or comfort levels of the patients involved.

Excess Skin and Tissue Removal

During a reverse abdominoplasty, excess skin and tissue are surgically removed from the upper abdomen to create a smoother and tighter appearance in the treated area. During your procedure, your plastic surgeon will make incisions in strategic locations such as above and below the belly button so they can access underlying fatty deposits.

Specific techniques may be used to remove unhealthy fat, while muscle laxity might also be addressed by recreating abdominal tone with internal sutures that tighten up muscles, known as plication.

After removing excess fat, loosened skin is pulled together over the new contour loose upper portion of loose upper abdominal skin, allowing it to lie flat against newly shaped muscles underneath. This results in an improved lower abdominal region appearance without enlarging or disturbing your belly button’s shape.

Muscle Tightening

During reverse abdominoplasty, the surgeon effectively reconnects the rectus muscles to tighten and contour the abdominal area. These techniques help reduce excess skin to create a slimmer silhouette.

Tightening of lax muscles may contribute to better patient posture, comfort, and overall core stability. Standard techniques used during muscle tightening include suturing and plication, or deep directional pull through sutures, which reposition tissue through tensioning along multiple directions. This allows for smoother contouring of underlying tissues compared with traditional abdominoplasty procedures, resulting in a more natural looking result with minimal scarring risk.

Expected Results from Reverse Tummy Tuck

After undergoing the reverse abdominoplasty procedure, one can expect a noticeable improvement in the tightness and toning of their upper abdominal skin. The waistline shape and contour will also be enhanced, and the belly button will appear flatter.

Reverse Abdominoplasty: Before and After Photos

Reverse Abdominoplasty before and after photos are part of any reverse tummy tucks procedure, these photos can provide visual evidence of the success of the surgery, showing improved body contours and skin laxity resulting from the system.

They can demonstrate the effects of correcting rectus abdominal diastasis when stomach muscles become weak or separated due to overstretching during pregnancy or obesity.

Photos represent a powerful tool to assess patient outcome data, allowing plastic surgeons to compare their patient results.

Patient Testimonials on Upper Abdomen Surgery

Patient testimonials from those who have had a reverse abdominoplasty highlight the transformative effects of the procedure. By removing excess skin and tissue, tightening ab muscles, and creating an aesthetically pleasing abdominal contour, patients see marked changes in their body shape that increase their self confidence and happiness with their appearance.

Patients often note improved posture, clothing fit, and ability to be active in parts of life impacted by a reverse abdominoplasty. The overall entertainment activity before surgery pales compared to after they experience smoother transitions between exercises or activities post surgery due to less weight drag on the abdomen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reverse Abdominoplasty

1. What is a Reverse Abdominoplasty?

A reverse abdominoplasty, or a reverse tummy tuck procedure, is an invasive procedure that removes the excess tissue and skin from a smooth contour in the upper abdomen area and repositions it to create a slimmer contour in the lower abdomen region.

2. Who is a Good Candidate for a Reverse Abdominoplasty?

Ideal candidates for this procedure are individuals with loose, sagging abdominal skin around their rib cage but may not require any fat removal from the abdomen. This surgery focuses on tightening and reshaping excess loose skin and fat areas rather than targeting stored fat deposits.

Your doctor will evaluate your body type and medical records to see if you are a good candidate for a reverse abdominoplasty.

3 . How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Reverse Abdominoplasty?

The recovery process following an operation varies considerably based on many factors. Patients can expect anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks until normal activity levels resume, with mild swelling and limited mobility lingering throughout the period.

Conclusion and Summary of Reverse Abdominoplasty Benefits You Might Not Know

Before choosing to have a reverse tummy tuck, you should ensure that you are in good health and have maintained a stable weight for months before the procedure. As with any surgical procedure, the recovery process requires downtime, meaning you are expected to be limited in mobility and avoid strenuous activities that can cause complications.

Unlike a standard abdominoplasty, which helps to contour the lower abdomen for an enhanced figure, reverse abdominoplasty is a procedure that targets the upper abdomen for a flatter, more proportionate stomach. It is an excellent option for women looking to improve their overall curves.

Women considering this procedure should consult a board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate whether it fits their goals and needs. Individual results may vary and only experienced plastic surgeons can guide you in achieving your desired outcome.

Please note that this article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Before making any changes to your treatments, please consult with your healthcare provider to discuss the appropriateness and safety of such changes.

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About the Author

Dr. Brandon Richland, MD is a respected Board Certified Licensed Plastic Surgeon in Orange County / Southern California specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.

Driven by his passion for medicine, Dr. Richland obtained his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the prestigious program at Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine in 2013. His exceptional skills were recognized when he received the McGraw Hill / Lange Medical Student Academic Achievement Award, and graduated top of his class with Honors. For his undergraduate degree, he attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated with Honors in 2009.

To further enhance his surgical expertise, Dr. Richland completed his Residency in Plastic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) from 2013 to 2019 earning the Academic Achievement Award twice during this period. A total of 14 years in dedicated schooling and medical residency.

Dr. Richland is actively involved with healthcare and medical societies, as a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Contact Dr. Richland today by visiting RichlandMD.com, scheduling a cosmetic consultation, or by calling 949-867-4496 directly.

Cover Image Credit: Milkos / 123RF.com (Licensed). Photo Illustration by: Dr. Brandon Richland, MD.