Dr. James D. Namnoum | Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Body Procedures
Reverse Abdominoplasty
When it comes to body contouring procedures, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is ideal for smoothing and tightening the lower abdomen. For patients who have excess skin or tissue of the upper abdomen, however, a reverse abdominoplasty can smooth and lengthen the torso while also adding volume to the breasts.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. James Namnoum has earned a reputation for using his considerable skill and artistic approach to consistently deliver reverse abdominoplasty results that appear to naturally enhance a patient’s unique figure.
What is a Reverse Abdominoplasty?
Reverse abdominoplasty is a procedure indicated when skin laxity is confined largely to the upper abdomen and a tight cleavage of the breasts is present. It is a powerful procedure for lengthening and rejuvenating the abdomen and is ideally combined with a breast lift and augmentation.
The extra tissues of the upper abdomen can be used to increase the breast volume with natural skin and fat, thereby avoiding an implant for volume improvement. Reverse abdominoplasty enables a resetting of the breast position on the chest, raising a low breast and improving the length and aesthetics of both breasts and abdomen.1,2
Who is a Candidate for Reverse Abdominoplasty?
The ideal candidate for a reverse tummy tuck is someone is troubled by excess skin and fat on the upper abdomen. Additionally, women who wish to add volume and fullness to their breasts may also benefit from this procedure.
Candidates for reverse abdominoplasty should be in good overall health, be non-smokers, and should have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with this surgical procedure.
The Reverse Abdominoplasty Procedure
Unlike a traditional abdominoplasty, the reverse abdominoplasty does not impact the tissues and muscles of the lower abdomen. During this procedure, Dr. Namoum begins with an incision under the breasts, elevating the skin of the abdomen. At this time, he may also tighten the upper rectus muscles and remove any excess fat using liposuction.
For patients who wish to enhance their bust, Dr. Namnoum can use excess skin and tissue from the upper abdomen to augment the breasts, adding volume and shape. Many patients also choose to undergo a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time as their reverse abdominoplasty.3
Recovery After Reverse Abdominoplasty
After a reverse tummy tuck, it is normal for patients to experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort for the first 10-14 days. Dr. Namnoum will prescribe pain medications to keep discomfort to a minimum, and patients will wear a special surgical bandage or compression garment for the first week of their recovery. Most patients are able to return to work one to two weeks after their reverse abdominoplasty procedure, though Dr. Namnoum encourages patients to avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for at least the first six weeks.
Reverse Abdominoplasty Results
Patients will notice that their upper abdomen is smoother and tighter and that their breasts are fuller immediately following their reverse abdominoplasty. The full benefits of this procedure will be noticeable a few months after surgery, when swelling has been resolved. Patients can expect a thin horizontal scar to remain after their reverse tummy tuck, though Dr. Namnoum will carefully place his incisions so that scarring is hidden within the breast crease.
1 Marc D. Pacifico, MD, FRCS(Plast.), Sanjay Mahendru, MB, MS, MCh, DNB, Rodrigo P. Teixeira, MD, Graeme Southwick, OAM, MB, BS, FRACS, FACS, Morris Ritz, MD, FCS(SA), FRACS. Refining Trunk Contouring With Reverse Abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2010 Mar; 30 (2): 225-234.Available: https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/30/2/225/345196. Accessed February 25, 2021.
2 Zienowicz RJ, Karacaoglu E. Augmentation mammaplasty by reverse abdominoplasty (AMBRA). Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 Nov;124(5):1662-1672. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181babd02. PMID: 20009853. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20009853/. Accessed February 25, 2021.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What is a reverse abdominoplasty and who needs it? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-a-reverse-abdominoplasty-and-who-needs-it#:~:text=A%20reverse%20abdominoplasty%20is%20chosen,lower%20abdomen%20without%20skin%20excess. Accessed February 25, 2021.
