A circular tummy tuck, also known as Circumferential Abdominoplasty, is often sought out by men and women who experience significant weight loss and have lost at least 70 pounds. In many cases, patients have previously lost 100 pounds and must now live with an excessive amount of skin that is present and fails to shrink back to the new figure. Circular tummy tucks remove the skin and excess tissue on the abdomen, flank area, and lower back.
What is a circular tummy tuck?
Circular tummy tucks are considered to be the most comprehensive tummy tuck that removes tissue and skin on the upper and lower abdomen, along with the waistline. It’s specific to patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight, whether naturally with diet and exercise or due to bariatric surgery.
Plastic surgeons perform this type of surgery at an accredited surgical facility with general anesthesia because it’s an invasive procedure that has higher risks. Not only does it remove excess fat and tissue, but it also provides extra muscle tone to contour and add more shape to figures that are now slimmer after losing a lot of weight.
Due to the amount of tissue and skin that the surgeon removes, they must make larger incisions to create a flatter tummy and midsection. It also works well in lifting the butt, thighs, and hips while repositioning the belly button to deliver impressive and natural results. As an in-patient procedure, you must spend a few days in the hospital following the surgery to ensure the staff carefully monitor you and that you can begin healing and recover properly.
Reasons for Circumferential Abdominoplasty
The most common reason that most people opt for a circumferential abdominoplasty is to remove excess skin and tissue that they can’t get rid of through diet and exercise.
Circumferential abdominoplasty is an ideal option for patients who lack self-confidence and want to improve their appearance. It’s also beneficial to men and women with a lot of loose skin and fat lingering on their midsection and not seeing results by making lifestyle changes.
Individuals with a lot of stretch marks on the abdomen can also benefit from this type of tummy tuck and remove a lot of skin with the marks. It significantly transforms the patient’s physique and targets their buttocks, lower back, and waist.
What is the difference between a circular tummy tuck and an extended tummy tuck?
Although a circular tummy tuck and an extended tummy tuck are similar in how they’re performed and the results they deliver, there are still a few notable differences to be aware of when choosing the right option for your needs.
A circular tummy tuck involves making a large 360-degree incision on the trunk to reduce its size and contour the area. It addresses everything that abdominoplasty addresses but also consists of lifting the buttocks and exercising any skin on the lower back that is present. This procedure is more invasive than an extended tummy tuck.
An extended tummy tuck involves making an incision directly on the bikini line, which extends to the back. It tightens the waistline by removing excess fat and skin that is present on the waistline. The process is at least three hours to perform and can be longer. It can also improve the upper thighs to some degree.
Circumferential abdominoplasty
Extended abdominoplasty
Circular tummy tuck procedure
The circular tummy tuck involves a few main steps, including:
- General anesthesia is provided to the patient in the operating room, and the plastic surgeon marks where they will make the incisions.
- The patient is laid on their side. Some plastic surgeons prefer to lay the patient on their stomachs before turning them on their backs.
- Creating an incision that wraps around the torso and extends from the upper abdomen. A scar is present near the hipline over the flank area and backside.
- The plastic surgeon lifts and removes the extra skin while sculpting and reattaching it on the butt and flank areas. Excess fat is removed from the targeted areas using a cannula and a suctioning technique.
- The incisions are closed using sutures. The surgeon then dresses the incisions before repeating the process on the other side.
- The patient may stay overnight at the facility to ensure a team of medical professionals can monitor them, depending on their overall health and the extent of the surgery.
About Circular Tummy Tuck Scars and Risks
After undergoing a circular tummy tuck, you can expect a large incision extending from your lower back to your stomach. The scars can vary in shape and size, and how much they fade depends on the quality of your skin. Some of the scars may even be vertical, depending on the areas you want to target and how much skin and fat the surgeon removes.
Circular Tummy Tuck Recovery
The recovery process of a circular tummy tuck is an average of one month when there’s a lot of bruising and swelling on the targeted areas. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication and instruct you to wear compression garments to help the areas heal. Drains may also be present to prevent too much fluid from accumulating.
Many patients are capable of returning to light activities around this time. The plastic surgeon will schedule post-op appointments and monitor your recovery process to determine when you’re approved to return to work, exercise, and other activities.
During recovery, it’s important to rest as much as possible and avoid working out for four to six weeks. This type of recovery process is slightly longer compared to a standard tummy tuck due to how large the incisions are and the difference in fat and skin that the surgeon removes.
Circular Tummy Tuck Cost
The average cost of a circular tummy tuck is $5,798. The price can vary, depending on how extensive the procedure is, as well as the level of experience of the plastic surgeon. The geographical location is another factor that impacts the cost and what you can expect to pay. The price is similar to a standard tummy tuck, an average of $6,092, but it can be as high as $20,000.
The cost of the operating room and anesthesia that is used also need to be considered when planning to pay for the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the cost with you during the consultation to ensure you can plan accordingly.
