The total abdominoplasty is reserved for ladies who are struggling with an access of additional skin in the abdominal region, often due to having lost a great deal of weight. In a total abdominoplasty, Dr. Jacobsen can target the access skin surrounding the entire torso, as opposed to only in the abdominal region as it does in other Abdominoplasties or Tummy tucks.

As a result, to accomplish the removal of skin that is adequate for them, Total Abdominoplasties require further skin excisions. For a Total Abdominoplasty two excisions are used. The first being a usually curvilinear incision. Extending very low through the pubic area from the LEFT to RIGHT hip. An additional, second incision is then made from the middle of the pubic area to right above the belly button. This allows skin to be removed from side to side, as well as removed from top to bottom of the mid-region. The result is an inverted T incision. Due to the number of excisions this procedure requires further time to heal. There is usually more swelling and fluid, but no more pain than in a regular abdominoplasty. For recovery drains are placed and usually stay in for 2 weeks before removed. The patient will need a binder as well. Any more than minimal activity and lifting greater than 10 pounds is restricted.

As result from the skin stretching for so long, the skin being removed and sewed together is often chronically injured and quite thin. Which is why taking care, and monitoring your healing is very important. In the case that skin is very thin and stretched out there is the possibility that the skin does not heal normally and may lift slightly. Causing the need for further suture material to be placed after surgery. Dr. Jacobsen will take care of you and correct all of this if it does occur. Remember that lifting is not uncommon and is not a complication. The better you take care of yourself the less likely this common issue is to occur.

Despite the long surgical incisions’ and healing time women are always very happy with the contour the operation gives the abdomen. Dr. Jacobsen and his staff will stick with you and make sure that you come through with ultimately the best outcome that can be achieved. As with anything there is a tradeoff that comes with the inverted T-incision required to move the maximal skin. Dr. Jacobsen is happy to educate and will demonstrate this when you come in for your consultation.