Six Pack Tummy Tuck

Posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 to PROCEDURES > Body

Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

Tile six pack tummy tuck is a variation on a standard tummy tuck procedure, that allows for a safer, quicker recovery and the result is a flat stomach and contoured waist. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr Anthony Griffin explained the procedure to Jodi Thiessen.

Traditional abdominoplasty, commonly known as a "tummy tuck", is a surgical procedure that repairs the muscles in the abdomen and removes excess fat and skin, leaving the stomach flatter. However one of the limitations of abdominoplasty is the resulting shape of the silhouette. While the stomach is flatter, the patient can gain a "boxy" shape.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr Anthony Griffin modified an existing technique to create a more contoured result, a curve in the waist-line and a "six pack" in the centre of the stomach. He explained the basis of the technique: "When you do a tummy tuck you tighten the muscles and you take away excess skin and fat. You pull the skin down as if you were pulling a shirt down. What this modified procedure does is more like tucking a shirt in. You pull the two sides in towards the middle, instead of straight down, creating a waist."

This creates a more contoured appearance than just removing fat with liposuction. Instead of lifting the skin and pulling it down, creating a boxed look, it is pulled in creating a narrower waist.

This procedure is performed for both men and women. Dr Griffin finds the women who seek his advice usually have a couple of children and are unhappy with the fact that no amount of exercise or dieting will regain the contour experienced at a younger age.

The three areas of concern that are helped by a six pack tummy tuck are separated muscles, excess fat and excess skin. Dr Griffin explained the procedure step by step:

"We prepare the patient a couple of days before surgery with antibiotics and also anti-bruising homeopathics, like Arnica, which continue postoperatively. I mark the patient before surgery which can take about 1/2 hour because we plan which areas need liposuction and also plan the incision. I mark the patient with their normal underwear on, so I can camouflage the incision which usually reaches across almost hip to hip. The procedure is done under general anesthetic. A catheter is put in their bladder which is a huge help during recovery because even though they go home they don't have to get up to go to the bathroom.

"The procedure usually starts with liposuction to remove excess fat. Then I start the incision and lift the skin up all the way to the ribs and sternum. Traditionally at this stage one would lift all the skin right out to the sides - I don't. I use a technique described as "discontinuous undermining" which keeps the blood supply in place and allows me to pull the skin down without disruption to the blood supply making it much safer. I create little tunnels with a liposuction instrument, so the muscle is still attached to the tissue. This creates a dimple in the center of the stomach which is key in producing the six pack appearance later.

"After tunneling, I repair the muscles from the breast bone all the way down to the pubic bone. I tack the belly button down to the muscle, then I pull the skin down, take off the extra skin and the key is when I pull I start from the sides like an old Victorian era corset. When it bunches in the center (where the dimple was created) this creates the six pack look. I usually finish by sculpting the pubic area with liposculpture, then I make the belly button."

The recovery time with this procedure is about one week. Patients are recommended to stay in bed for the first couple of days. Light aerobic exercise is allowed after 10 days to 2 weeks and after a month the patient is back to normal activities.

Risks and complications are similar to traditional abdominoplasty, the main complications being infection and bleeding. However, it is reportedly safer because there is less risk of disruption to the blood supply due to the tunneling rather than full separation of the skin from the muscle and soft tissue.

While based on a procedure (abdominoplasty) that has been utilized for many years, the six pack technique has the added benefits of a more sculpted waist and silhouette, a flat sculpted stomach and a safer, quicker recovery.

Scarring

One of the drawbacks to the abdominoplasty procedure is the resulting scarring. Dr Griffin explains to his patients:"They are trading off a scar to look good in clothing."While the scar can be hidden, camouflaged in the panty line, people of color always have the added worry of a keloid scar occurring. This is a thickened raised scar created by the body during the healing process.

"Anybody can be prone to keloids but it is most prevalent in skin of color such as Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, Indians (both native and west indian), filipino skin etc.," said Dr Griffin. "The reason is because colored skin has more dermal elements."

When colored skin is cut there are so many dermal elements rejuvenating the skin that they tend to become overactive and form a keloid scar. This can be controlled through medications, silicone sheeting and also the surgical technique used.

"I try not to use dissolvable sutures. Most of the sutures that dissolve do so by the body's enzymes digesting them over a period of time and then the dermal elements are constantly being stimulated," explained Dr Griffin.

People of color have a thicker dermis (under the epidermis - the top layer of skin) than a fair-skinned blue-eyed person. The dermis is the key area that has to be repaired. Dr Griffin explained: "It's like the foundation to your home, it takes a little more time but in the end the resulting scar is better. A lot of times when you stitch the dermis properly you don't need to stitch the epidermis together at all."

Add Comment