This article by Dr. Cuzalina appeared in the publication Surge in Summer 2009

Everyone would love to have a flat tummy, preferably without surgery, yet this may be the only choice for many. The number of tummy tucks performed in the U.S. has dramatically increased over the last several years. A few reasons for this big increase is more acceptance in the general public for cosmetic procedures and a larger number of patients having bariatric procedures with massive weight loss and hanging skin. Also, the rise in advertising new, minimally invasive, “lunchtime laser this” or “laser that” have all contributed to more tummy tucks for better or worse.

Granted, the development of the lipo-abdominoplasty or “modified Avelar type” tummy tuck has been a wonderful new technique for the appropriate patient. However, there is no such thing as a minimally invasive abdominoplasty. Just because a surgery can be performed under local anesthesia does not make it “minimally invasive.”  A rush to abandon traditional techniques is not wise simply because a new procedure sounds great. For abdominal rejuvenation, traditional abdominoplasty should still occupy a major portion of one’s surgical gamut.

Figure 1. 35 year old female before and one month after a full lipo-abdominoplasty in order to both excise skin from pubis to above the umbilicus, as well as debulk the upper abdominal fat with liposuction and very limited or no undermining.

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