What is a Reverse Tummy Tuck?

Posted September 01, 2021 in Body Contouring, True Form Body Contouring®, Uncategorized

By Sherri Roberts

Whereas a standard tummy tuck removes loose skin from both the upper and lower abdomen, the reverse tummy tuck is for women who have loose upper abdominal skin while their lower abdomen has little to no skin laxity. When this is the case, the patient typically has lost a lot of weight.  

For the patient in these before and after photos, the solution was clear to Dr. Patronella. She needed revision breast implant surgery as well as a revision breast lift procedure, which requires a horizontal incision along the breast fold on each side. And that incision, when extended across the middle of the chest where it comes together in an upside down “V” shape, is used for a reverse tummy tuck. Dr. Patronella noted, “It was the natural ideal option for her concern, which was loose upper abdominal skin.” So he was able to perform both operations with the same incision.

Such unique anatomical circumstances as this patient’s point to the importance of choosing a plastic surgeon who is equipped to offer a broad range of procedures to fit a wide range of circumstances. Dr. Patronella said, “When evaluating patients, we as plastic surgeons have to find the procedure that  best fits a patient’s problem or concern and match it with their goals. If a surgeon is not accustomed to doing a broad variety of procedures, he/she misses the opportunity to address a patient’s concern and to achieve their goals because the surgeon is not experienced in less commonly performed options for abdominal treatments. There are other areas in plastic surgery where uncommon conditions require uncommon solutions. The art of plastic surgery is to imagine a unique solution for a unique condition. That’s what it’s all about.”