Standard vs. Circumferential Abdominoplasty

When thinking of the perfect body, the first feature that comes to mind is usually a flat tummy. Dieting and weight loss can help you slim down, but sometimes stubborn belly fat just won’t go away. If you’ve gone through childbirth, it may be even harder to get rid of lower abdomen fat. 

71% of women and 63% of men aren’t happy with their abdomen. Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” aims to remove excess fat and give you a more desirable body contour. It is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures, with 130,000 performed in 2018. 

Anthony N. Dardano DO, FACS, located in Boca Raton, Florida, performs abdominoplasty in its standard and circumferential form. If you’re like many, you probably didn’t know that there were different kinds of abdominoplasty. Read on as we compare and contrast the two to help decide what one is right for you.

Standard abdominoplasty

If you have excess skin above or around your belly button, standard abdominoplasty can give you a flat tummy and a slimmer waistline. Standard abdominoplasty generally involves a horizontal incision from hip-to-hip and another around the belly button. 

During your procedure, local anesthesia is administered for standard abdominoplasty to keep you as comfortable as possible. Anthony N. Dardano, DO, FACS, tightens your abdominal muscles and pulls your skin taut over your stomach. Dr. Dardano removes excess skin, but standard abdominoplasty is not a fat-loss method — it can be paired with liposuction for more dramatic results. 

Most standard abdominoplasty procedures are done on an outpatient method with a recovery time of 2-8 weeks.

Circumferential abdominoplasty

After liposuction or considerable weight loss, Dr. Dardano may suggest a circumferential abdominoplasty. Circumferential abdominoplasty uses longer incision to remove excess skin from the lower tummy while lifting the butt, hips, and thighs.

During your procedure, local anesthesia will be administered to give you the most comfortable experience. Dr. Dardano starts by operating on your buttocks and thighs, removing excess skin and soft tissue. He then closes the incisions on your backside with sutures before gently and safely turning you.

Next, he makes an incision in your abdominal skin and lifts it off your abdominal muscles. Your belly button is repositioned on the new tummy, and your muscles are tightened before being replaced over your abdomen. Dr. Dardano places drains underneath your incisions before stitching you up.

Circumferential abdominoplasty is an in-patient procedure and usually requires several days in the hospital before returning home. Dr. Dardano removes the drainage tubes in 1-2 weeks after your surgery.

Which is right for me?

The decision to undergo an abdominoplasty is a personal one that should only be done for yourself. You must be in good health to undergo standard abdominoplasty or circumferential abdominoplasty. 

Standard abdominoplasty is the most common tummy tuck and can help eliminate the abdominal “pooch” often found in women who have had kids. If you have a higher degree of fat that hangs around your sides, circumferential abdominoplasty may be needed to get the dramatic result you’re looking for. This can slim your waistline and free you from excess fat you might feel held down by.

The best way to find out if you’re a candidate for standard or circumferential abdominoplasty is by meeting with Dr. Dardano. Call 561-202-1248 to schedule your consultation or book online.