The tummy tuck continues to be among the most sought-after cosmetic procedures with close to 100,000 operations done in 2020, according to the latest Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Its popularity is anchored on the aesthetic benefits it offers such as a flat tummy and tight abdominal muscles.
A lot of people do not know, however, that the tummy tuck has been around for over 200 years. Back then, the excess skin was used to cover up the wounds of severely injured patients. Since it was performed purely for medical reasons without prioritizing aesthetics, most tummy tucks then often resulted in patients losing their navels.
In the past, it was seen as impossible to perform a tummy tuck without bidding goodbye to the belly button. But the 20th century brought many innovations in a lot of fields, including the area of cosmetic surgery.
The Tummy Tuck in the 20th Century and Beyond
The initial phase of tummy tucks saved a lot of lives most notably during World War I. The number of procedures done on countless injured soldiers eventually prompted surgeons to further refine the tummy tuck technique.
It all boiled down to the placement and size of the incision. Instead of making a long horizontal incision across the entire abdomen, surgeons found out that smaller vertical and horizontal incisions would also work to remove loose skin.
This allowed for the preservation of the belly button and produced more aesthetically pleasing results. Below are some of the innovations in the tummy tuck procedure over the years:
Absorbable Stitches
In the past, surgeons used non-dissolvable sutures to close surgical incisions. The patients had to go back to the clinic after a few weeks for the surgeon to manually remove those stitches. Now, the stitches no longer have to be removed since they will be absorbed and disappear on their own.
Drain-Free Tummy Tuck
There was a time when surgeons had to insert drains beneath the skin to prevent fluid accumulation, especially after the operation. It made drains indispensable in every tummy tuck procedure. But this also caused an inconvenience during the healing process, requiring patients to regularly discard the content until the drains were finally removed.
Thankfully, surgeons have developed the layered-suture technique, which leaves only a small opening for fluid accumulation. Almost completely eliminating the need for drains, this technique not only simplifies the healing process but also produces less noticeable scarring.
Mini Tummy Tuck
If you find the standard tummy tuck too extreme for your case, its mini version is worth exploring. The mini tummy tuck is perfect for patients with relatively flat abdomens and only issues on the lower aspect of the abdomen. This is less invasive and does not require as long of an incision and has a less complicated recovery process.
Mommy Makeover
The Mommy Makeover is an all-encompassing term for multiple surgeries done in a single visit. This concept has allowed the tummy tuck to be paired with additional cosmetic procedures such as breast procedures, Liposuction, and a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Patients have saved a lot of time and money with the Mommy Makeover as this only requires one anesthetic and one, slightly longer, recovery period.
No More Excess Skin After Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck has evolved over the years, spanning centuries, but it is crucial that you choose an expert board-certified surgeon who has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the procedure well.
Book a consultation with Marin Aesthetics to know more about the tummy tuck, and see if the procedure is perfect for you.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.