Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and tightens the muscles in the abdomen. The procedure is most common in women who have had children and are unable to get rid of a protruding abdomen through diet and exercise.  However, this procedure has been performed on both men and women who have not given birth.  Tummy tucks tend to leave large scars so it’s important to discuss your expectations with your surgeon, and weigh your options.

Your surgeon may recommend a mini-tummy tuck if the fat deposits are limited to the area just below the navel. They may also suggest liposuction in conjunction with the abdominoplasty to give the body a better contour. At the end of your doctor visit, you should be aware of what specific procedure(s) you are having done, what type of procedure(s) will be used, the cost, and the facility where the surgery will take place.

Abdominoplasty can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the extent of the operation. The procedure will begin by making an incision from one side of the hip to the other, just above the pubic bone. A second incision will be made to free the navel from the existing tissue. Next, the surgeon will separate the skin all the way up to your ribs and tighten the vertical muscles by pulling them close together and stitching them. A skin flap is the stretched down, stitched, and excess skin is removed.

Most patients are hospitalized for a few days depending on the extent and complication of abdominoplasty.  Patients will be given special instructions on how to shower and change personal dressings. One may not be able to stand up straight for a couple of days, and there should definitely not be any sort of heavy lifting, including picking up babies and children, for several weeks. Recovery from abdominoplasty varies so be prepared to need to take off work anywhere from two to four weeks. Light, not too vigorous exercise is encouraged as much as possible, as this will aid in the healing process. Scars will appear to worsen before they typically get better over six to twelve months as the scar eventually fades into a thinner, white scar. While these scars never disappear completely, they can’t be seen under most clothes.

Tummy tuck results are typically long lasting, assuming the patient follows proper diet and exercise. If you and your doctor decide that your expectations are realistic and you are prepared for a lengthy recovery period, you should be thrilled with the results of your new body.  For more information, please contact an Advisor at MCSA.