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The Procedure:
A tummy tuck is designed to improve the appearance and tone of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, and tightening the muscle contour. It maybe performed as a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, depending on the patient's needs.
The best candidates for a tummy tuck 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.
To achieve optimum results, patients should be at their desired, stable body weight prior to surgery. Women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.
Tummy tuck operations are performed under general anesthesia. Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, (mini tummy tuck), the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall, all the way up to the ribs, to expose the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into this new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for the navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, a drain is inserted, the incision is closed, and dressings and a binder are applied.
If you would like to schedule a consult to discuss whether a tummy tuck is right for you, please call our office at 414-443-0033.
Pre and Post Operative Instructions and Information for Abdominoplasty:
- Drains are placed beneath the skin to reduce post-operative fluid accumulation. Patients will wear a compressive abdominal binder for 1-2 weeks post-operatively.
- Initially, it will be difficult to stand upright, but this improves over the first week.
- At discharge you will be given instruction regarding incision and drain care, and how you may bathe.
- Patients return to the doctor's office at 1 and 2 weeks, and approximately 1 and 3 months, after surgery.
- Bruising resolves within 2 weeks after surgery. Residual swelling will remain for several weeks.
- Sutures may need to be removed 1-2 weeks after surgery. Other dissolvable sutures will release on their own.
- Avoid strenuous activities for approximately 3 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will instruct you when you may begin a gradual return to activities. Patients usually return to unrestricted activity by 6 weeks after surgery.
- Plan on remaining off work for 2-3 weeks after surgery.
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