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Abdominoplasty, also known as Tummy Tuck
Plastic Surgery
What You Need to Know About Tummy Tucks
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Generally referred to as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure also helps to flatten the abdomen by tightening the surrounding muscles. Women with stretched abdominal areas due to previous pregnancies can benefit considerably from abdominoplasty, although they should have completed their childbearing. Older individuals whose skin has lost some of its elasticity and are slightly obese can experience an improvement in their abdominal area.
To learn more about tummy tuck plastic surgery, we encourage you to explore our web site and contact our plastic surgery office at 904-396-0023.
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If you are in generally good physical shape but are concerned about abdominal fat deposits or loose skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, the procedure can potentially reduce or even eliminate a protruding abdomen. Abdominoplasty/ Tummy Tucks can produce a permanent scar which can possibly extend to both sides of your hips, although the scar will likely be located below the bikini or bathing suit line.
Dr. Glassman, your tummy tuck 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. Dr. Glassman will also evaluate the amount of excess fat in your abdomen and the condition of your abdominal muscles for the tummy tuck surgery.
You should come to the abdominoplasty consultation with Dr. Glassman 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 to Dr. Glassman and the staff at Glassman Plastic Surgery.
How the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty plastic surgery procedure is performed
Individual factors and personal preferences will determine the specific tummy tuck technique selected to smooth and flatten your abdomen.
Generally in a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty procedure, 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. Dr. Glassman, your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but this may not always be possible.
Some abdominoplasty patients have loose skin above the navel. In such cases, a tummy tuck plastic 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.
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.
The tummy tuck procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures.
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," tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.
Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in conjunction with tummy tuck, 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 Jacksonville plastic surgeon, Dr. Glassman, will discuss with you the particular abdominoplasty method that he recommends for achieving the best result in your particular case.
Understanding Risks for Abdominoplasty
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 tummy tuck plastic surgery, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks.
I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more about my tummy tuck so that I can make an informed decision?
The subject of risks and potential complications of tummy tuck surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your Jacksonville plastic surgeon, Dr. Glassman, or with a staff member in your plastic 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 tummy tuck 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 tummy tucks plastic surgery is sometimes helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly.
Following your abdominoplasty plastic surgery, occasionally, fluid may accumulate under the skin. Removal of this serum is a painless process but may require several visits to the plastic surgeon's office.
You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of Dr. Glassman, both before and after surgery.
Your Tummy Tuck Surgical Experience
The goal of Dr. Glassman and the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.
How Should I Prepare for My Tummy Tuck Surgery?
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before your tummy tuck or abdominoplasty surgery. Dr. Glassman, your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.
The abdominoplasty plastic surgery may be performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your tummy tuck plastic 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 tummy tuck procedure may be performed in a hospital, Jacksonville ambulatory center or office-based surgical suite.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the tummy tuck surgical procedure. Often, a general anesthetic is administered, so that you will be asleep throughout the procedure. Tummy tucks may be performed using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. When the abdominoplasty 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.
You may be permitted to go home after a few hours, unless you and Dr. Glassman have determined that you will stay in the hospital or surgical facility overnight.
The day after your tummy tuck 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 your tummy tuck 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.
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your tummy tuck 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.
Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks, and your plastic surgeon, Dr. Glassman, may advise you to wait longer.
For more information about tummy tucks, please contact the Glassman Plastic Surgery office today. We'll schedule an one-on-one consultation with Dr. Glassman where he can address your questions and concerns.
