Contrary to popular belief, a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, isn’t a "one-size-fits-all" procedure. There are several different methods that can be utilized to produce the desired results, depending upon each patient's body type, physical characteristics and goals.

A traditional, or full tummy tuck, is best for patients who have a significant amount of excess skin to be removed as well as weak abdominal muscles. In this procedure, an incision is made along the bikini line that stretches from hip to hip. From this incision, excess fat is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. Any excess skin is then stretched downward and removed before the incision is closed. This is the most invasive tummy tuck procedure, but it can produce dramatic results.

A mini-tummy tuck targets the area below the navel. The incision is shorter than with a full tummy tuck and excess fat and skin are removed from the abdominal area below the navel. The abdominal muscles can also be tightened. This is a less invasive procedure that offers a quicker recovery time and results in a shorter scar.

Even less invasive than the mini-tummy tuck, an endoscopic tummy tuck requires only small incisions through which an endoscope can be inserted to tighten abdominal muscles. Excess abdominal fat can also be removed. No abdominal skin is removed during this procedure, however, so it is not as helpful for patients with loose skin in this area.

Patients who have lost very large amounts of weight are often with an abundance of excess skin. In this procedure, both horizontal and vertical incisions are made to remove larger amounts of excess skin and fat and tighten the waist area.

To learn more about tummy tucks, watch an online video of Dr. Shah describing the procedure, and see before and after photos, please click here.

In late 2006, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved silicone gel-filled breast implants for women ages 22 and older.

Although silicone implants are used widely abroad, they were pulled from the U.S. market in 1992 on concerns that ruptured or leaking implants could lead to various diseases.

A rising volume of data however, indicates that the silicone implants sold today are extremely durable and risks of rupture are very low.

All of the implants now sold in the United States are composed of two parts: an outer silicone shell and a filler material contained within the shell, which can be either silicone gel or saline. Over the years, make-up of these components has changed significantly and compared with the silicone implants first used in the 1960s, today’s implants are considered “third generation”. As manufacturers have improved the strength of implant shell, the potential for rupture has decreased dramatically.

In 1992, a breast implant research group was established at Washington University in St. Louis to study and analyze breast implant strength, durability and longevity. Over a period of more than 15 years, the team has analyzed implants that have been in women's bodies for up to 32 years and found that the implant shell does not degrade in the body.

A 1999 report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) evaluated breast implant rupture rates and found that 0.3% to 1.0% ruptures over a 6 year period, as identified in a study of 144 Swedish women with newer-generation implants, is typical.

Another study that examined breast implant rupture through repeated MRI examinations, which was published in a 2003 issue of Archives of Surgery, examined 317 third-generation implants and reported that 98% retained their integrity at five years and 83% -85% retained their integrity at 10 years.

To learn more about breast augmentation, watch an online video of Dr. Shah describing the procedure, and see before and after photos, please click here.

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