Tummy Tuck Surgery
Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from Tummy tuck or 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. The tummy tuck procedure, or abdominoplasty, removes the excess skin and tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall to achieve a tight and flat stomach. This means a more aesthetic, much healthier looking body-contour and, not to mention, a considerable improvement in self-confidence. Stretch marks, which are very common after childbirth and weight gain or weight loss, are considerably reduced by tummy tuck. The incision scar is usually hidden in the bikini-line, which is why this operation brings a perfectly satisfactory result in most cases. A flat stomach is one of the most highly desired features of many people, and tummy tuck surgery is the way to achieve it.
Your Personal Consultation
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from tummy tuck. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.
A good candidate for abdominoplasty?
You may be a good candidate for Tummy tuck 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 surgeon.
- Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty.
Cosmetic surgeon evaluation for Tummy tuck
Your Cosmetic or plastic 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. Your surgeon also will evaluate the amount of excess fat in your tummy 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.
tummy tuck surgery, 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.
Insurance and cost of surgery
Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including the specific terms of your insurance policy. A letter of predetermination may be required by your insurance company prior to surgery. Your cosmetic surgeon or a staff member in your surgeon's office will discuss these matters with you.
Planning your Tummy Tuck
As every individual's "trouble spots" may be different, the abdominoplasty procedure is carefully tailored to your specific needs. During your initial consultation with Dr. Tabriz, he will thoroughly discuss your desires and expectations for your tummy tuck surgery. He will conduct a thorough examination of the skin, soft tissue and muscles of the abdomen and flanks. He will carefully review the abdominoplasty procedure, or combination of procedures, that suit you best. Although occasionally described as "mini abdominoplasty" or "mini tummy tuck", "modified abdominoplasty", or "classical abdominoplasty", the abdominoplasty procedure that best suits your needs will be carefully customized, using the most limited incisions possible and the most appropriate techniques. Dr. Tabriz will answer all questions that you might have regarding any step of the process.
How tummy tuck surgery Is Performed
Individual factors and personal preferences will determine the specific technique selected to smooth and flatten your abdomen.The abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure is performed with a horizontal incision in the lower abdomen within the bikini line. Most abdominoplasty incisions are kept just above the pubic area, and within the confines of the hip bones, so it can be easily camouflaged in most bikinis, thongs, and in low-rise jeans. Excess fat is removed directly, and the abdominal muscles and fascia (connective tissues) are tightened and repaired, and the excess skin is trimmed away. In the abdominoplasty procedure where there is moderate or considerable laxity or excess of skin and fat, the navel is maintained in its natural position, but is "re-inset" with very fine sutures. In the modified or "mini" tummy tuck, fat removal, skin tightening, and lower abdominal muscle tightening are performed through a horizontal bikini incision only. Dr. Tabriz will use liposuction techniques in conjunction with most tummy tuck procedures to produce the most natural and beautifully sculpted results. Most often, abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery is performed in Dr. Tabrizr's office-based surgical suite (Accredited by The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Cares, AAAHC). The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure takes between three and four hours.
The Tummy tuck incision location and the surgery
Abdominoplasty may be performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the next day or two. When abdominoplasty is performed in conjunction with medically necessary procedures such as hysterectomy or hernia repair, a short hospitalization may be required.
Your abdominoplasty may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Often, a general anesthetic is administered, so that you will be asleep throughout the procedure. Abdominoplasty may be performed using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. In many instances, small drain tubes will have been placed within the abdominal tissues to help avoid accumulation of fluids. Gauze or other dressings may be applied to your abdomen and covered with tape or an elastic bandage.
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of this incision will vary somewhat according to the structure of your abdomen and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer. Your plastic surgeon will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but this may not always be possible.
If there is loose skin above the navel, the surgeon may make a second incision around the navel. Skin in the shaded area is separated from the abdominal wall.
Some patients have loose skin above the navel. In such cases, the surgeon may make a second incision around the navel so that the redundant skin above it can be pulled down. The excess abdominal skin is then removed. The position of the navel remains unchanged.
To tighten the abdominal wall, the surgeon brings loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.
Skin of the lower abdomen that contains stretch marks may be removed as well. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened and improved, but you should not expect a dramatic change in their appearance.
Abdominal skin is pulled downward, and the excess is removed. A small opening is made to bring the navel through.
The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures.
The Most Common Tummy Tuck Techniques
There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. In some instances, it may be possible to avoid an incision around the navel. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and the excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial, or "mini," abdominoplasty.
Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in conjunction with abdominoplasty, to remove abdominal fat. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and may be useful when patients have only a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity.
Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss with you the particular method that he or she recommends for achieving the best result in your particular case.
Fortunately, significant complications from abdominoplasty are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people undergo successful aesthetic surgery of the abdomen, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results. Anyone considering surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.
Understanding Risks of Tummy tuck Surgery
The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.
Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. Tissue loss along portions of the horizontal incision is a possibility when the abdominoplasty is very extensive. This complication, which delays healing and prolongs recovery, is more common in patients who smoke or have medical conditions such as diabetes. Revisionary surgery is sometimes helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly.
Following surgery, occasionally, fluid may accumulate under the skin. Removal of this serum is a painless process but may require several visits to the cosmetic surgeon's office.
You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your cosmetic surgeon, both before and after surgery.
The goal of your cosmetic surgeon and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.
The Rcovery
Following your tummy tuck procedure, you will be cared for in our recovery room by a licensed registered nurse, and you will be monitored closely overnight. Following abdominoplasty, you will ususally go home with a friend or family member. Dr. Tabriz suggests taking fourteen days for recovery when feasible, although it is indeed possible to return to work or school as early as seven to ten days after your abdominoplasty (provided there is no heavy lifting involved). Small drain tubes are placed during abdominoplasty, and will be removed between the third and seventh day. With few exceptions, all sutures are dissolvable, and no suture removal in necessary. Light aerobic activity may begin at ten days, and more strenuous exercise is begun at three weeks. Light aerobic activity (elliptical or Precor, light treadmill walking) may be resumed as early as seven days following tummy tuck, and more strenuous activity is begun at three weeks (excluding abdominal and core exercises, which are resumed at six weeks). The final shape and feel is reached approximately three months after abdominoplasty. Your relationship with Dr. Tabriz does not end after tummy tuck surgery; he will see you often through the first weeks and months following your abdominoplasty, and will advise you on all matters in your recovery including exercise, activity, and diet.
How will you will look and feel initially
The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation. Although you may not be able to stand up completely straight, it is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Any surgical drains probably will be removed within a week following surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. Depending on the abdominoplasty technique used, you may be instructed to wear a support garment for several weeks. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately one or two weeks.
You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. The bruising and much of the swelling will disappear over a period of weeks. However, it may be months before all swelling subsides and you see the final result of your abdominoplasty. You may also notice some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear to worsen before they finally begin to fade.
Resume your normal activities
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.
RELATED PROCEDURES
Abdominoplasty is most often performed as an isolated procedure. For those individuals who desire additional plastic surgery enhancements, tummy tuck may be combined with breast augmentation, breast lift (mastopexy), liposuction, and facial rejuvenation procedures in selected cases
