You’ve
worked hard to lose weight and to improve your
muscle tone through diet and exercise programs.
You’ve reached your desired weight but not your
desired shape; your tummy just won’t lay flat.
In fact, now that you’ve dropped the pounds,
you’ve also dropped the skin (it’s significantly
sagging). Without the help of plastic surgery,
you might be stuck. No creams will lift lax
tummy skin; no amount of crunches will tighten
loose stomach muscles, and often times no amount
of diet will reduce certain fat deposits along
the abdominal wall. Only abdominoplasty, more
commonly known as a “tummy tuck” can address
these problem areas sufficiently |
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Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure
to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower
abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal
wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce protruding
abdomen, enhance your appearance and self confidence.
WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR
ABDOMINOPLASTY?
The best candidates for abdominoplasty
are men or women who are in relatively good shape but
are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal
skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery
is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple
pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles
and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal.
Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently
occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved. In
addition to the superficial layers, fat is also distributed
in the deep layers surrounding the internal organs.
This fat may be reduced only through diet and exercise.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of
weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who
plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles
in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can
separate again during pregnancy.The distribution of
fat is one determinant of the improvement a patient
will have from a tummy tuck.
There is a range of Tummy Tuck Procedures designed to
treat the spectrum of patient needs. The choice of procedure
will be made based on your anatomic features and desired
outcome. While all tummy tucks tighten abdominal skin,
incision lengths may vary depending on the amount of
skin to be excised. The incision lengths vary from as
short as six inches (Mini Tummy Tuck) to as long as
the entire circumference of the waist (Body Lift). The
most common incision length runs from hip to hip concealed
beneath the bikini line (Full or Traditional Tummy Tuck).
You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare
for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking,
smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and
medications. If you smoke, plan to quit at least one
to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for
at least two weeks after your surgery.
THE PROCEDURE
The tummy tuck operation
is usually performed under general anesthesia. Patients
undergoing a mini tummy tuck can, however, be operated
under local anesthesia and IV sedation. Complete abdominoplasty
usually takes two to three hours, depending on the extent
of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an
hour or two.
Full or traditional
tummy tuck: With the traditional tummy tuck, the abdominal
skin is pulled so far downward that it is necessary
to reposition the belly button to keep it centrally
located. This results in a circular scar around the
bellybutton and a dramatic improvement in abdominal
contour. The traditional tummy tuck is the best solution
for most people. For patients who require less skin
excision, it may be possible to "float" the
belly button. This means that the belly button will
remain attached to the skin and will be pulled downward
with the skin. The belly button, however, is not moved
so far as to require a circular incision for repositioning.
It is also possible to tighten the muscles of the upper
and lower abdomen with this procedure. Floating the
belly button may result in significantly improved abdominal
contour, but the results are not as dramatic as with
the traditional tummy tuck.
Mini tummy tuck: A mini
tummy tuck is a smaller procedure designed to improve
the contour of the abdomen only below the belly button.
It is best for patients who have subtle skin and fat
excesses of the lower abdomen or unattractive scars
from previous surgery (such as a C-section). It is possible
to tighten the muscles, but only below the belly button
and in smaller amounts than with the traditional tummy
tuck. Only a small percentage of patients are good candidates
for a mini tummy tuck.
COMBINING OTHER PROCEDURES WITH
YOUR TUMMY TUCK
Liposuction may be
performed in combination with tummy tuck to remove additional
fat around the abdomen or to treat other areas such
as the hips and flanks. This often complements a tummy
tuck by creating a more slender torso. The inner and
outer thighs are other areas where patients will often
benefit from liposuction at the same time as a tummy
tuck.
Breast surgery is also
frequently combined with a tummy tuck. After pregnancy
and breastfeeding, or after substantial weight loss,
the breasts may become droopy. Breast lift surgery (Mastopexy)
may be the best answer for these patients. Patients
who have small breasts without droopiness may want to
combine breast augmentation with a tummy tuck. The increase
in breast size for these patients may help them to achieve
more attractive body proportions
WHAT WILL MY RECOVERY BE LIKE?
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably
be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and
discomfort which can be controlled by medication.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be
released within a few hours or you may have to remain
hospitalized for two to three days.
Most patients can get out of bed and start walking
the following day. Skin stitches will be removed in
seven days. You will be required to wear a support
garment for six weeks. Vigorous exercise, however,
should be avoided until you can do it comfortably,
in approximately six weeks.
YOUR NEW LOOK
Abdominoplasty, whether partial or
complete, produces excellent results for patients with
weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most
cases, the results are long lasting, if you follow a
balanced diet and exercise regularly.
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