Dr. Fady Sinno, a board-certified plastic surgeon, now offers 3 abdominoplasty variations: standard, mini, and modified. With additional choices, more of his patients are benefiting from a customized approach tailored to their needs.
Ellicott City, Maryland (December 2010) – When it comes to improving your appearance through plastic surgery, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all” at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. Dr. Fady Sinno is offering his Baltimore abdominoplasty patients 3 variations of the procedure: standard, mini, and modified. By customizing each option he is able to correct a variety of concerns and restore a more youthful abdominal appearance.
“I have quite a diversity of people who visit me for tummy tuck plastic surgery in Baltimore – women and men of all ages who want to reshape their abdomen after weight loss, pregnancy, or simply because of the aging process,” explains board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sinno. “Because people’s bodies are so unique, I offer customized abdominoplasty procedures to provide optimal results.”
The most common technique is the standard abdominoplasty. This comprehensive surgical option involves a low incision that runs from hip to hip just above the pubic bone and another incision around the belly button. Abdominal muscles that were stretched and separated during pregnancy or weight gain are repaired as well. A surgical drain is often necessary initially to avoid fluid build-up. Most people require 3 to 4 weeks of recovery before returning to work. While it’s serious surgery, a tummy tuck is often the only way to an attractive abdomen.
“It’s amazing how hard people are on themselves sometimes,” says Dr. Sinno. “They often come to me after months or even years of trying to firm up their abdomens by themselves with limited results. I let them know that their skin and muscles have lost elasticity and cannot tighten up on their own, which often brings relief. While it’s common to be dissatisfied with the appearance of your abdomen, each person has their own unique set of concerns.”
This is where the variations come in. Dr. Sinno adapts the standard tummy tuck to account for the amount of excess skin to be removed, whether the abdominal muscles are stretched or separated, and whether the belly button needs repositioning. The mini and modified tummy tucks are less invasive options that can be used when the improvement is only needed below the belly button. These options involve shorter incisions, require little or no repair of muscles, and leave the belly button in place. The risk of complications is usually reduced and less downtime is required.
“As with my Baltimore breast enhancement patients, my goal for tummy tuck patients is to customize my surgical technique to provide results that naturally integrate with the body. I strive to make people look like they’ve always looked so good,” says Dr. Sinno. “Though scars are unavoidable, I make them as small as possible and place them where they will be concealed by clothing. The tradeoff is usually worth it.”
A recent trend in body contouring that enables Dr. Sinno to accomplish spectacular outcomes incorporates liposuction into the tummy tuck. He explains, “The key to great results for many people is lipoabdominoplasty, which integrates extensive liposuction of the abdomen and flanks with the tummy tuck. I can give people the firm, slim, contoured look they want by using liposuction to sculpt the waist and remove stubborn areas of fat.”
Regardless of which option you choose, there are important factors to consider before having a tummy tuck. “Because an abdominoplasty is a complicated procedure, especially when combined with liposuction, it’s important to choose a surgeon who is experienced in the procedure and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery,” Dr. Sinno says. “I also recommend waiting until you are done having children and are close to your desired weight.”
To find out about the improvements you can gain from plastic surgery, request a consultation online or call us at (410) 884-4200.