Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a procedure aimed at patients with loose abdominal skin and fat, who wish to obtain a firmer, flatter abdomen. The procedure involves removing excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen, as well as tightening the abdominal muscles for additional support.
A good candiate for abdominoplasty has excess or sagging abdominal skin, excess fatty tissue in the abdomenan area, an abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of the body, or abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened. These conditions, which are treatable with a tummy tuck, are often inherited. In other cases, they are triggered by a substantial weight loss, which causes the abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy, and can help improve the appearance of strech marks.
In abdominoplasty, a horizontal incision is usually placed just within or above the pubic area. The incision extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, and its length depends on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of the incision varies slightly according to the structure of the patient’s abdomen and the preferred style of bathing suit or undergarments. We will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but keep in mind that this may not always be possible.
Some patients have loose skin both below and above the navel. In such cases, a second incision may be needed around the navel so that the excess skin above it can be pulled down.
After all incisions have been made, the skin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle walls are tightened with sutures, and any excess abdominal skin is removed. Additionally, liposuction is often used to refine the abdominal sculpture.
Following your abdominoplasty surgery, you will be instructed to avoid straining, bending and lifting, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You will notice swelling and bruising on and around your abdomen, which is to be expected. The bruising and much of the swelling will disappear within a weeks. However, it may take a few months before you will see the final results of the abdominoplasty.
As a result of your abdominoplasty, you will experience a healthier, sleeker physique that looks very natural. The tummy tuck surgery can also be combined with breast augmentation or other cosmetic procedures to achieve a more harmonious improvement in your overall appearance. We will be glad to discuss further details about the abdominoplasty procedure with you during our free consultation.
