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Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) is a fairly extensive operation. The best patients for the tummy tuck
operation are those who are in good health, have lost a significant amount of weight and are now at or near their goal weight. In these people the loose stretched skin hangs down below the lower abdomen like an apron. They frequently have skin irritation, especially in warm weather, and may complain of backaches. They are unable to wear tight clothing due to the bulk of the apron of hanging skin.
Patients who have loose, hanging skin but are still overweight and have a lot of fat under the abdominal skin will usually require removal of the majority of the excess fat by liposuction first. In these cases, the tummy tuck procedure is usually delayed until three to six months after the liposuction operation. Although two separate operations are necessary in this instance, the potential for major complications, poor wound healing and poor cosmetic result are significantly reduced by this approach. We have also observed a number of patients in this category in whom the result of the liposuction procedure was so good that they did not require the additional tummy tuck procedure.
Some patients have excess skin which is limited to the upper abdomen. In these patients, a "reverse" abdominoplasty is done, and the incision is located in the folds beneath the breast.
PROCEDURE
Abdominoplasties are performed in our fully accredited Santa Monica Outpatient Surgicenter. In a typical case, a long curved incision is made in the lower abdomen and another incision is made around the bellybutton. The abdominal skin and fat is then separated from the muscles of the abdomen all the way up to the rib cage. Quite often the rectus abdominus muscles (which may be stretched apart by pregnancy) are sewn together in order to make a flatter abdomen. Then the loose flap of extra skin and fat is pulled downward and the excess tissue is removed. In many cases, all of the skin from just above the bellybutton down to the pubic hairline can be removed. Drains are usually placed between the fat and the muscles in order to remove fluids and blood which collect in the operated area. These drains will typically remain in place for three to ten days after surgery. Because of the benefits of modern anesthesia, almost all tummy tuck patients are able to return to their home after surgery. Some patients may prefer to go to a "Recovery Facility" for one or two days after surgery.
RECOVERY
It will usually take five to ten days after the surgery before a patient feels comfortable standing straight up. Most patients will be able to return to work in three to six weeks after a tummy tuck operation.
Moderate pain medication such as Vicodin is usually sufficient for most patients during the first week or so after the operation. Strenuous activities such as exercising, jogging, lifting objects weighing more than eight pounds, sexual intercourse, etc. are to be avoided for the first month after surgery. The lower abdominal scar is fairly visible for the first year and will never go away completely. The scar around the belly button is usually less noticeable. A better figure, better posture, lack of skin irritation and in some cases reduced back pain, are the rewards of a tummy tuck operation.
Before and Tummy Tuck After Photos
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