A full tummy tuck is the standard procedure to enhance the belly, but there are different types of tummy tucks that may be offered, depending on how much excess skin you have, how low you want your tummy tuck scar, how tight you want your belly, and how distorted your belly button is. The various types of tummy tucks include the full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, modified tummy tuck, and floating belly button tummy tuck, among others.
Today, I am going to discuss the modified tummy tuck. The modified tummy tuck is indicated in a patient who does not have a lot of excess skin above the belly button. The skin above the belly button ultimately creates the whole aesthetic of the abdomen. The problem with not having a lot of skin above the belly button is that when you make an incision and detach the belly button, if the skin is tight, when the abdominal flap is pulled down, it creates a high scar that is unacceptable for many patients. One way to get around this is the modified tummy tuck, in which the belly button is detached and the actual hole of the belly button is closed. The belly button flap is pulled down and the skin is tightened and cut for a nice shape. This type of tummy tuck produces a small vertical scar between the belly button and the horizontal scar of the abdomen. This is where the previous belly button was and, as you can see, the new belly button is recreated for a nicer look.
The benefit of the modified tummy tuck is that the surgeon can adjust the scar location as he pleases and cut the excessive skin to tighten the abdominal wall completely. The cons are that you will have a small vertical scar, although it typically heals well, and also that your belly will not be as tight as with the full tummy tuck. Why? Because less skin is removed to adjust for tension, closure, and location of the scar.
Although the modified tummy tuck is a good technique, it is not indicated in most patients. Only the few patients with the characteristics described above are good candidates for this procedure.