What is Reverse Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Surgery?

Reverse abdominoplasty is a unique cosmetic surgery procedure that involves pulling up of the excess skin rather than down, as in a traditional abdominoplasty. The procedure may be recommended for women and men who did not achieve full skin tightening and firmness above the navel in a previous tummy tuck surgery.

If a woman seeks tummy tuck in conjunction with breast surgery, a reverse abdominoplasty may help because the incision can be made in the same place and the excess tissue from one area may be used in the other in some cases. This enables a more conservative surgery to be performed. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) provides reverse abdominoplasty to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities.

Procedure

The reverse abdominoplasty plastic surgery technique involves the excision of loose abdominal skin vertically upwards. The incisions are placed discreetly in the inframammary creases beneath the breasts, which will hide the scarring. Ideal candidates will be women with slightly or fairly sagging breasts, which serve to conceal the inframammary folds successfully.

The surgeon will place permanent lifting sutures that raise the lower skin edge, following excision of loose skin, to the upper skin edge in the inframammary fold. The permanent sutures will keep the resulting surgical scar hidden within the fold. This is an important part of the reverse abdominoplasty procedure.

Benefits

Dr. Q is a leading cosmetic surgeon who will recommend reverse tummy tuck to suitable candidates in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and other areas. One of the key benefits of this surgery is that it ensures that the patient’s original belly button is preserved. Therefore, a woman will not have any visibility of the surgical scars when she is wearing a two-piece bikini or regular undergarments.

Another important benefit is that the procedure involves reduced interruption of the normal blood supply in the abdominal tissue because less undermining of the skin is involved. This allows for a more extensive liposuction of the waist and back to be performed at the same time.

Comprehensive Surgery

Many of the patients who decide to receive reverse abdominoplasty surgery will have the advantage of a more comprehensive procedure in a less invasive manner. They will undergo a reverse upper abdominoplasty in conjunction with a lower mini or partial abdominoplasty.

This will involve tightening of the complete length of the rectus abdominis muscles, and liposuction of the circumferential trunk. At the same time, the original belly button will remain intact. Dr. Q usually refers to this procedure as ‘reverse upper / modified lower abdominoplasty’.

Ideal for Women Seeking Breast Surgery

The incision in case of a reverse abdominoplasty can be placed beneath the breast instead of the lower abdomen. A breast lift or breast reduction procedure can then be performed through the same incision.

If the woman needs breast enhancement without implants, a reverse abdominoplasty will allow the use of excess tissue removed from the abdomen to augment the breasts. Dr. Q is one of the few surgeons performing reverse abdominoplasty for appropriate candidates with outstanding results.

To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) please contact us at 760-324-2660. To learn more about Dr. Q’s Medical Spa please visit drqmedicalspa.com