Our Services
Abdominplasty - Tummy Tuck
Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes these conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.
Your Personal Consultation
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from abdominoplasty. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.
Am I a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?
You may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Excess or sagging abdominal skin.
- An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body.
- Abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened.
- Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen.
If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty. Your surgeon may examine your abdomen while you are standing as well as lying down. Your skin tone and the degree of loose skin in the abdominal region will be assessed. He also will evaluate the amount of excess fat in your abdomen and the condition of your abdominal muscles. You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, pregnancies, previous surgeries and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information. Abdominoplasty, as an aesthetic (cosmetic) procedure, generally is not covered by insurance. In some instances, however, a patient may have a hernia and not just a spreading of the abdominal muscles. Insurance reimbursement may be available for that portion of the procedure that is not cosmetic.
How Abdominoplasty Is Performed
Incisions and technique:
A horizontal incision is made just above the pubic area, and extends laterally toward the pelvic bones. The length of the scar depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed and usually the incision can be placed within the lines of the bathing suit. When there is a small amount of loose skin and the fat deposits are concentrated below the navel, a much shorter horizontal incision will be sufficient. This is called a mini-abdominoplasty. When there is loose skin above the umbilicus a second incision is made around the navel freeing it from the abdominal skin, the excess skin is then pulled down and the navel re positioned, thus the final position of the navel remains the same.
Operating Time:
2 to 4 hours.
Anesthesia:
General anesthesia is needed when the muscle wall needs tightening otherwise local anesthesia with sedation is administered.
Hospital Stay/Outpatient:
A minimum 24-hour stay is advised with a full abdominoplasty (especially if combined with another procedure). A mini abdominoplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis although an overnight stay is advised.
Recovery Period:
Temporary pain is treated with analgesics. Swelling, tenderness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, and tiredness, some, or all of these can last up to several weeks. Small drains, removed after a few days, are used to help avoid the accumulation of fluids in the abdominal wall. Dressings are applied and will be changed every other day for the first two weeks. You may be required to wear a girdle for 20 to 30 days. Stitches will be removed in stages over a period of one or two weeks.
Possible Complications:
Possible risks and complications include collection of liquid under the flap, blood clots,infection,bleeding under the skin flap, reactions to anesthesia, delayed healing, poor healing resulting in visible scarring or skin loss. Rarely there may be a need for a second operation. Possibility of wide scars (keloids) in patients with a tendency may be there. Any one of these complications could occur and every precaution is taken to minimize the possibility. Recovery Time: Back to work: in 2 to 3 weeks. Strenuous exercising and sunbathing is restricted for 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of the scar may occur after 3 months and sometimes up to 2 years.
Duration of the Results:
The abdomen should remain firm and flat for many years, unless you gain a lot of weight or become pregnant. However, over the years, with the pull of gravity and natural aging process, a second Tummy Tuck may be needed to improve the body contour
