Have there been any significant advances in endoscopic abdominoplasty in the past few years? about five or six years ago i was thinking about a tummy tuck. a doctor told me that the endoscopic method was still relatively new, and he did not recommend it.

I : I have to agree with the other responders regarding endoscopic tummy tuck. The method is not new having been described by a plastic surgeon in atlanta over ten years ago. The technique has limited utility though. Those who are interested in a tummy tuck typically have three related issues they are concerned about in varying degrees. There is almost always a degree of skin laxity, varying amounts of abdominal wall fat and muscle laxity and/or diastasis of the abdominal muscles. Endoscopic tummy tuck only addresses the muscle laxity. Excess fat can be addressed by liposuction but for all intensive purposes the excess skin needs to be cut away. In fact, after muscle repair and/or liposuction the skin may actually become looser. The non-surgical methods we presently have to tighten skin are weak and unpredictable. The only scenario where i can envision doing an endoscopic tummy tuck would be a very young, thin postpartum female with good skin quality and no stretch marks who is bothered by a diastasis or splitting of the abdominal muscles causing laxity. This is a very rare patient in my practice and even then, a traditional tummy tuck would probably yield better results.

He was right: There are few short cuts in surgery , this isn't one of them.

No: Endoscopy does not add to tummy tuck and there is no use for it. The skin needs to be removed there for a large incision is made and obviates the need to work through a small hole with limited vision.

Rarely done: Of all the people i see for tummy tucks, (witch hazel) very few have the combination of loose muscles but perfect skin without any looseness - which would be the theoretically ideal candidate for an endoscopic tt. Most people have a combination of loose skin, muscle separation and fat - and the open technique is needed to remove all that loose skin.

Mini tummy tuck: Mini tummy tucks (witch hazel) can be performed with the endoscope to help plicate and tighten the muscles. This procedure is reserved for patients without excess skin or stretch marks. Otherwise an incision is necessary to remove the excess skin and stretch marks.