Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) by Wave Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Laser Center
When patients have loose muscle and skin following weight loss, giving birth to a child or following abdominal surgery, liposuction alone may not address these problems. The loose skin and muscle must be modified and there are several options available for this depending on the severity of the problems.
A traditional tummy tuck is typically performed on patients whose entire abdomen is loose with excess skin and muscle. Surgery is performed by making an incision hip to hip. The muscle is tightened, fat is liposuctioned and the excess skin is removed. The belly button is also reshaped. This procedure will yield the best aesthetic result.
A mini-tummy tuck can be performed on patients with loose muscle and excess skin confined to below the belly button. A mini-tummy tuck combines liposuction and tightening of the muscle along with the removal of a small amount of skin. The scar is much shorter than the traditional full tummy tuck. The recovery time is much shorter with this procedure.
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during abdominoplasty surgery. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
A full tummy tuck procedure requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary.
Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured while excess fat, tissue and skin is removed.
A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips close the skin incisions.
Step 4 – See the results
Your abdominoplasty procedure will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight.
The final results may be initially obscured by swelling and your inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete.
Within a week or two, you should be standing tall and confident about your new slimmer profile.
What is Tummy Tuck?
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals.
Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include:
Tummy tuck surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Abdominoplasty may be a good option for you if:
Although the results of an abdominoplasty procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone abdominoplasty surgery.
What tummy tuck won't do:
Tummy tucks are not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Also, tummy tuck operations cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised, generally the treated areas below the belly button.
Choose a surgeon you can trust
Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust.
Choosing an ensures that you have selected a physician who:
ASPS Member Surgeons are your partners in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
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Before & After Photos of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Contact us | Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
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