Tummy
Tuck
What
is a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty,
or “tummy tuck,” is a
cosmetic
surgery procedure that smooths
all or part of the abdomen. Abdominoplasty
may include:
- Removal of loose abdominal skin
- Removal of excess fat tissue in
the region
- Tightening weak or separated abdominal
muscles, possibly from pregnancies
Who
is a candidate for tummy tuck?
Tummy
tuck is specifically intended
to contract a protruding abdominal
region. The patient should be in reasonably
good shape, not in need of overall
weight loss. Generally, a woman should
not have abdominoplasty performed
if she intends to have further pregnancies.
In addition, candidates who have scars
from previous abdominal surgeries
should consider that abdominoplasty
leaves a scar as well.
If
the patient is sufficiently healthy
and aware of the procedure’s
limitations, a tummy tuck may offer
an effective means of correcting unattractive
features. Those interested in a tummy
tuck should consult a tummy
tuck surgeon to determine if the
procedure is right for them.
How
is tummy tuck surgery performed?
The
abdominoplasty surgical process begins
a few weeks before the date of the
procedure. The patient consults with
the abdominoplasty surgeon to determine
if the procedure is right and what
parts of the abdomen require surgery.
There are two versions of the tummy
tuck, one of which will usually fit
the patient’s needs. During
the consultation, the surgeon will
usually advise the patient to quit
smoking and refrain for a few weeks
afterwards. The patient will also
likely be told to avoid the sun. It
is also inadvisable to diet heavily
in the weeks approaching surgery.
And a cold or infection could be cause
for postponement of the procedure.
The
most extensive version of the tummy
tuck is called a complete abdominoplasty.
It is usually performed under general
anesthesia, and takes anywhere from
two to five hours. An incision is
made at the base of the abdomen, near
the pubic region, and another is made
surrounding the navel. The skin is
pulled away from the muscles and other
tissue of the abdomen. Fat may be
removed from the area, and the muscles
of the abdomen are usually pulled
inward from the sides and fastened
with sutures. Then, the skin is pulled
down toward the pelvis and the excess
is trimmed. A new hole is created
for the navel and all of the incisions
are stitched.
There
is also a less complicated procedure,
called a mini tummy tuck or partial
abdominoplasty, that only corrects
protrusion below the navel. In this
procedure, only one incision is made,
near the public region. The skin is
separated from the abdominal wall
up to the navel. Fat is then removed
from this lower region. Typically,
a local anesthetic in conjunction
with a sedative will be used, and
the procedure is usually completed
in less than two hours. It can usually
be done on an outpatient basis.
What
is recovery like?
Immediately
following abdominoplasty, most patients
experience swelling, discomfort, and
bruising in the area. Most of this
will disappear over a few weeks; however,
some swelling may remain for about
six months, preventing the patient
from seeing the surgery’s full
effects. There may also be some numbness
in the area, though feeling should
return over the course of a few weeks
or months.
Standing
and walking is usually recommended,
though patients should take time before
returning to vigorous exercise. The
surgeon will probably have the stitches
pulled from the incisions in seven
to ten days, and the sutures should
usually be pulled within two or three
weeks. The patient may be given a
garment support during this period.
Complications
from a tummy tuck are usually mild.
Possibilities include:
- Fluid accumulation – Removing
accumulated fluid is usually painless.
- Bleeding
- Blood clots – These can
be dangerous if they migrate to
vital areas of the body. The surgeon
may prescribe an anticoagulant if
clotting should arise.
- Infections
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Poor healing – Most commonly
attributable to smoking or diabetes.
Poor healing may require a secondary
procedure.
To
Find a Tummy Tuck surgeon, Click on
Any State:
Alabama
| Alaska
| Arizona
| Arkansas
| California
| Colorado
Connecticut
| Delaware
| District
of Columbia (D.C.) | Florida
Georgia
| Hawaii
| Idaho
| Illinois
| Indiana
| Iowa
|
Kansas
Kentucky
| Louisiana
| Maine
| Maryland
| Massachusetts
Michigan
| Minnesota
| Mississippi
| Missouri
| Montana
Nebraska
|
Nevada
| New
Hampshire | New
Jersey | New
Mexico New
York | North
Carolina | North
Dakota | Ohio
| Oklahoma
Oregon
|
Pennsylvania
| Rhode
Island | South
Carolina | South
Dakota |
Tennessee
| Texas
| Utah
|
Vermont
| Virginia
Washington
| West
Virginia | Wisconsin
| Wyoming
| Puerto
Rico |
