Patient Details
This 29-year-old mother presented to Dr. Mihail Climov seeking improvement in her abdomen and overall body contour after pregnancy and cesarean delivery. Her primary body concerns included significant abdominal skin redundancy, persistent lower abdominal fullness, and excess fat along the flanks that affected the shape and definition of her waist.
At 5'6" and 192.2 lbs, her BMI was 31 at the time of surgery.
To address the abdomen comprehensively, Dr. Climov performed an extended abdominoplasty (extended tummy tuck) combined with bilateral power-assisted flank liposuction. Her surgery was completed as part of a customized Mommy Makeover that also addressed post-pregnancy changes of the breasts.
These before and after photographs were taken 2 months after surgery.
Procedures Performed
Abdominal & Body Contouring
Breast Procedures
Why This Patient Chose an Extended Tummy Tuck
Pregnancy and weight fluctuations can permanently stretch abdominal skin and underlying tissues. Once significant skin laxity develops, diet, exercise, and non-surgical treatments cannot remove the redundant skin.
This patient was particularly concerned about loose abdominal skin and fullness extending toward the sides of her waist.
Her goals included:
Because her skin laxity extended beyond the central abdomen, an extended tummy tuck offered more comprehensive correction than a limited abdominal procedure.
What Is an Extended Tummy Tuck?
An extended abdominoplasty is designed for patients whose loose skin and tissue extend beyond the front of the abdomen and toward the flanks.
During surgery, excess abdominal skin is removed and the remaining tissues are carefully repositioned to create a smoother abdominal contour. The incision extends farther laterally than with a standard tummy tuck, allowing the surgeon to address a broader area of skin redundancy.
For the right patient, this can create a more complete transformation of the midsection rather than improving only the central abdomen.
Combining Extended Abdominoplasty with Flank Liposuction
A tummy tuck primarily addresses loose skin and abdominal contour, while liposuction targets localized fat deposits.
For this patient, Dr. Climov combined her extended tummy tuck with power-assisted liposuction of both flanks.
The purpose was not simply to make the abdomen flatter. Treating the surrounding waist allowed Dr. Climov to improve the patient's entire midsection.
Flank liposuction helped:
This combination is particularly valuable in Mommy Makeover patients who have both abdominal skin laxity and persistent flank adiposity.
Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy and C-Section
Pregnancy can create changes that exercise simply cannot reverse.
The abdominal skin stretches to accommodate pregnancy, and some women are left with significant laxity even after their weight stabilizes. A previous C-section can also contribute to contour irregularities or excess skin around the lower abdomen.
An abdominoplasty physically removes this redundant skin and reshapes the abdominal envelope, making it fundamentally different from non-surgical skin tightening or weight-loss treatments.
For women whose primary concern is loose post-pregnancy abdominal skin, tummy tuck surgery can provide a level of correction that non-surgical treatments cannot reproduce.
Mommy Makeover with an Emphasis on Abdominal Contouring
Although this patient's transformation included breast surgery, the extended tummy tuck and flank liposuction were central components of her Mommy Makeover.
Her breast procedures included a subfascial augmentation with 385 cc Allergan Natrelle INSPIRA SRF silicone implants and a circumareolar breast lift to improve breast volume, nipple position, areolar size, and asymmetry.
By treating the abdomen, waist, and breasts during the same surgical plan, Dr. Climov was able to address several of the physical changes associated with pregnancy while maintaining balanced proportions.
Extended Tummy Tuck Results at 2 Months
These before and after photographs show the patient's progress approximately 2 months after her extended abdominoplasty and Mommy Makeover.
At this relatively early stage of recovery, she demonstrates:
At two months, tummy tuck patients are still healing. Residual swelling can remain, and the abdominal tissues and scars will continue to soften and mature over the following months.
Extended Tummy Tuck vs. Standard Tummy Tuck
The appropriate type of abdominoplasty depends on where the excess skin is located, not simply how much skin is present.
A traditional tummy tuck primarily addresses the anterior abdomen. An extended tummy tuck carries the correction farther toward the sides of the body and may be more appropriate when loose skin extends into the flanks.
Patients who have experienced pregnancy, substantial weight fluctuations, or significant abdominal skin stretching may benefit from this broader approach.
During consultation, Dr. Climov evaluates the abdomen and surrounding waist to determine how far the correction needs to extend to create a natural, proportional result.
Am I a Candidate for an Extended Tummy Tuck?
An extended abdominoplasty may be appropriate if you:
BMI is only one component of surgical evaluation. Dr. Climov considers the patient's overall health, anatomy, fat distribution, skin quality, medical history, and surgical goals when determining candidacy and the safest treatment plan.
Why Choose Dr. Mihail Climov for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Dr. Mihail Climov is a fellowship-trained aesthetic plastic surgeon performing advanced abdominoplasty and body contouring procedures in the Houston area.
His approach to tummy tuck surgery goes beyond simply removing loose skin. Each surgical plan considers the abdomen, waist, flanks, hips, and overall body proportions to create a result that looks balanced from multiple angles.
Depending on the patient's anatomy, this may involve a traditional tummy tuck, extended abdominoplasty, more extensive skin removal, and/or carefully planned liposuction.
Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation in Houston
If pregnancy or weight changes have left you with loose abdominal skin that does not improve with diet and exercise, a tummy tuck may provide a more definitive solution.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mihail Climov to learn whether a traditional or extended abdominoplasty—with or without liposuction—is appropriate for your anatomy and goals.
