Abdominoplasty, also known as the "tummy tuck," is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, eliminate most stretch marks due to pregnancy and re contour the over all appearance of your abdomen. We use advanced techniques of abdominal wall contouring, adjunctive liposuction and hidden incisions to give you the best results of this surgical procedure.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE:

Candidates for abdominoplasty include MEN or WOMEN who have excess skin and fat above the belt line. This is usually the area that .hangs. or .bulges. when wearing pants or swim wear. Usually, the individual has attempted weight loss and exercise to get rid of this area, but it absolutely has made no difference or has made it worse!

Another large category of patients that get tummy tucks are women who are done having children that want their pre-pregnancy belly back. Stretch marks, umbilical hernias and loss of strength of the abdominal wall can be corrected with an abdominoplasty.

Finally, another large group of patients that consider the procedure are individuals who have lost a great deal of weight, either by gastric-bypass surgery or traditional weight loss methods. After the fat has gone, the excess skin can only be removed surgically.

You should probably wait to do your tummy tuck if you plan on having more children, plain on losing more weight, or plan on having another abdominal surgery. Sometimes, however, the procedure can be done at the same time as a hysterectomy or tubal ligation, since the incision is basically the same.

Also, if you are significantly overweight, you will not get good results from your tummy tuck. Have us evaluate your status during your appointment and we will be able to provide you with realistic goals and expectations of the procedure.

RISKS:

It is important to realize that although thousands of tummy tucks are performed successfully across America every year, all surgery does carry some element of risk. When performed by a highly qualified surgeon with experience, and in a safe environment, the risks are minimalized.

Every attempt is made to shorten the incision used to perform the tummy tuck. However, depending on your body frame, the incision can go hip to hip or even longer. Also, although the most advanced methods are used to close your incision, most of your scar healing is genetically determined by yourself. The scar might require laser treatments, injections, or even revision in the future if it is noticeable. Smoking almost guarantees poor scarring and healing, and should be stopped 6 weeks before surgery

Infections, although rare, can occur. Antibiotics are given before, during, and after the surgery to minimize this chance.

A drainage tube is kept in place for about 2 weeks to remove fluid produced by your body in response to the surgery. Occasionally, the fluid can recollect and may need to be removed.

Finally, a rare complication is the development of blood clots in your legs. This risk can be minimal if you walk around soon after your surgery.

THE SURGERY:

The procedure takes approximately two hours to perform, during which time you will be under general anesthesia. After the procedure, you will spend a couple of hours in recovery, after which time you can be discharged to home or, if you choose, spend one or two nights in the hospital.

During the procedure, an incision is made above the pubic bone to almost your hip area. A skin flap is elevated and the excess skin removed. The muscles are then tightened with many sutures. The belly button is brought out through a new opening, and the all incisions are sutured closed.

Post operatively, you will keep in close contact with our office for at least 3 to 6 months. Sutures are removed at one week. The drainage tube usually comes out in about two weeks. You will be prescribed pain medication, muscle relaxers, and antibiotics for the first two weeks after surgery. A support garment should be worn for one month after surgery. Full recovery takes 4-6 weeks, but most people can return to a desk job in about 2 weeks.

It will take approximately 6 months for you to feel like your normal self again. The scars, however, will not lighten or fade for about a year, and then will continue to fade even after that. The scar will never completely go away. It is important to take care of yourself, eat healthy and continue to exercise so that you can enjoy the results or your new body for many years to come!