Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, or a "tummy tuck," is the most common procedure for flattening the stomach. The tummy tuck is helpful to women who have stretched muscles and skin after pregnancy, or for women who have lost a great deal of weight. It is also a great option for women who suffer from a genetic predisposition towards loose skin. This procedure removes excess skin from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The resulting scar is permanent, but can be hidden below the bikini line and will fade with time.

If the area giving you the most trouble is below the belly button, you could qualify for a "mini tummy tuck," or "mini abdominoplasty," which tightens the skin between the pubic area and your navel. This is generally considered a less complex procedure and will take less time. It will also leave less scarring since the incisions will be much smaller.

While the main purpose of the tummy tuck is to tighten skin and muscles in the abdominal area, it can lead to a number of other options. For example, if you have strong abs that are hidden by skin and fat, you can get abdominal etching to sculpt and showcase your six-pack. After your abdominoplasty, you can also get a Panniculectomy, which removes skin and fat below the belly button and around to your lower back area. Or, if you've always been dissatisfied with the placement or shape of your belly button, this can be fixed during the tummy tuck procedure.

The surgeons at California Surgical Institute perform a special procedure for tummy tucks, which is known as high lateral tension. Unlike the regular tummy tuck, which tightens the abdomen along the center, a high lateral tension tummy tuck focuses on the sides of the abdomen. This allows for a better contour and higher tension. However, because of the precision involved, the procedure time is slightly longer than a standard tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck procedure can be performed in 2 to 5 hours as an outpatient procedure. In rare cases your doctor may recommend an overnight stay. The surgeons at California Surgical Institute are eager to answer any questions you may have about your tummy tuck procedure.

Who Can Benefit from an Abdominoplasty?

A tummy tuck is most beneficial to men or women who have a stomach with a large fat deposit or loose skin, but are otherwise in fairly good shape. Certain groups of people have found abdominoplasty to be especially effective. For individuals who are older or have lost a significant amount of weight, their loss of skin elasticity can be improved through this procedure. A tummy tuck can also be very effective for helping women who have had multiple pregnancies return their abdominal area to normal.

There are several groups of people that should not pursue a tummy tuck. If you are a woman that is planning on having a child in the future, you should wait until after your pregnancy is done. Individuals planning to lose a large amount of weight should wait until they are close to their ideal weight before considering abdominoplasty. Finally, individuals with scarring from a previous abdominal surgery may want to reconsider having a tummy tuck, as it can cause them to have very prominent scarring.

Abdominoplasty Complications / Risks

Every surgery has potential complications and risks, and abdominoplasty is no exception. Although not common, a tummy tuck can cause blood clots or infection. Blood clots can normally be avoided by beginning to walk around as soon as possible after the procedure, while any infections can normally be treated with antibiotics.

There is a possibility of the incision healing poorly and, as a result, excessive scarring can develop, which may require a second operation to correct. Smoking can increase the potential for complications and risks after surgery, so it's important for smokers to minimize or stop smoking prior to having a tummy tuck.

The key to minimizing the potential complications and risks of an abdominoplasty is strictly following all of the guidelines that are given to you by your surgeon before and after the operation.

Pre-Abdominoplasty

Your tummy tuck journey will begin with an initial consultation and evaluation with your surgeon. During this consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your skin tone and abdominal fat deposits, in addition to your overall level of health. When you are talking to your surgeon, it's important to be honest about all of the medications you are currently taking, as well as whether or not you regularly use alcohol or tobacco.

Once a full assessment of your specific case has been completed, your surgeon will be able to recommend the best course of action for you. Depending on your goals and the shape of your body, your surgeon may recommend liposuction, a partial abdominoplasty, the standard tummy tuck, or a combination of these methods. Although your surgeon's recommendation may be different than your initial expectations, you can count on your surgeon to thoroughly provide you with the best options and the risks associated with each option.

In addition to discussing the surgery itself, your surgeon will also talk to you about where the procedure will take place, how long it will take to complete, the type of anesthesia that will be used, the total cost of the procedure and any other questions that you have on your mind. You will also be given guidelines about how you should handle drinking, eating, medications and smoking prior to your procedure. If you carefully follow these instructions, you will be able to significantly minimize the risk of complications arising during or after your procedure.

Before the day of your tummy tuck arrives, you should seek ]]>