Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure to remove skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. It is frequently combined with liposuction, so you are encouraged to also read our information on liposuction. A tummy tuck may also be performed during another type of surgery, for instance at the completion of a hysterectomy or other gynecological surgery.
Tummy tuck surgery can markedly improve the appearance of your abdomen. The combined effects of aging, gravity, childbirth, fluctuations in weight, and a loss of skin elasticity all contribute to loss of tone in the abdomen as we age.
At the Plastic Surgery Specialists our doctors will customize the procedure to your specific anatomy. This means adequately assessing three factors- excess skin, excess fat, and muscle/fascia weakness. Each of these components will determine which procedure is best for you. With only mild fat excess and good skin elasticity, you may be a candidate for liposuction alone. For mild fat excess and skin excess confined to the area below your belly button, you may be a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. For more severe excess skin and fat as well as patients who have muscle weakness or laxity, you will most likely require a full abdominoplasty to achieve the best results.
If you are planning a future pregnancy or anticipate a significant loss of weight in the future, it is probably best to postpone your tummy tuck until after these events have occurred to optimize your results.
Following tummy tuck surgery, many patients experience an immediate improvement in their self-esteem and discover a greater self-confidence. In addition, many also find greater access to different clothing styles and fashions and are less self-conscious at the gym, around the pool, or at the beach.
If you think you might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure and the results you can expect. The cornerstone of our approach is to individualize treatment to your specific circumstances and goals and to ensure that you have an adequate understanding of the issues involved so that you are able to make a fully informed decision. This will help you achieve the appearance you desire with the least invasive procedure available, thus creating a mutually rewarding experience. Our goal is to provide you with "the ultimate patient experience." Our well-trained staff will help you understand your procedure, our financial policies, the scheduling of your surgery, and your postoperative care.
Tummy tuck surgery usually takes two to three hours to perform, depending on whether or not you are also having liposuction performed. Depending on the amount of improvement you desire, this incision may extend all the way from hip bone to hip bone following your bikini line (full abdominoplasty), or may be limited to only the width of the pubic hairline (mini-abdominoplasty). If needed, the abdominal muscles are tightened using sutures. Upon closure, one or more drains may be placed beneath the incision. These slender rubber tubes assist in draining any fluid that may accumulate beneath the incision and delay your healing. The incisions are carefully closed to minimize your scar. We use a technique in which all of the sutures are placed beneath the skin and are absorbed by your body. Not having to undergo suture removal has improved patient comfort and satisfaction.
A sterile dressing is applied to the incisions, and a compression garment or abdominal binder is placed over your abdomen. This compression garment or binder helps support your abdominal wall during healing, decreases postoperative swelling, and helps decrease any bruising that may occur.
Tummy tuck surgery may be performed as an outpatient procedure, or you may choose to stay in the hospital overnight. If you choose to go home, you will recover in the recovery room for approximately one hour prior to being released in the company of a friend or family member. We also have access to home private duty nursing to care for you in the comfort and privacy of your own home if you so choose.
Take your prescribed pain medication and antibiotics as instructed. In addition, you may also be a candidate for a revolutionary new product for the management of postoperative pain, called the On-Q Post-Operative Pain Pump. Be sure to ask us about this during your consultation if you think you might be a good candidate for this system.
You should plan to take it easy following your surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first three weeks. As we monitor your recovery, we will advise you when it is safe to resume specific activities.
You should plan to wear the abdominal binder or compression garment for three weeks following surgery. Your surgeon will remove the drainage tubes within several days following surgery.
You will notice an improvement in your abdominal contour immediately. However, your shape will continue to improve in the following weeks as the mild swelling subsides. You should be up and walking the day following surgery, although your abdomen will be sore for several days. You should able to resume your normal daily activities within several days following surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities within three weeks of surgery.
Consult one of our board certified plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Specialists for a complete consultation regarding eyes/browlift and how it may improve your self confidence and restore a more youthful appearance to your skin.