More Information About Abdominoplasty
A Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to eliminate excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. Often this extra skin and fat hangs like an apron over the abdomen, and can be a source of discomfort and self-consciousness.
Tummy Tucks are most often desired by women who have given birth and by people who have lost a great deal of weight over a short period of time due to intensive diet and exercise, or gastric bypass surgery.
When abdominal muscles are stretched due to pregnancy, often it’s very difficult to regain pre-pregnancy tone, thus making the extra stomach “pouch” particularly stubborn. And when you lose weight very quickly, as when recovering from obesity or due to a long illness or major surgery, the body can’t adjust to the rapid reshaping of the body, leaving loose skin behind.
In these situations, a Tummy Tuck can radically reshape the abdominal area, making the stomach muscles tighter and eliminating excess fat deposits and loose, hanging skin. These dramatic results can restore your self-confidence and leave you proud of your new, sleeker figure.
How Is A Tummy Tuck Done?
Tummy Tuck Surgery is performed in our state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgical Center. Typically, an incision is made from hip to hip at about the level of the pubic bone, allowing the surgeon access to the full abdominal area. The surgeon then repositions lax abdominal muscles, removes excess fat, often with liposuction, and excises excess skin. In most cases, the navel is repositioned during the reconstruction.
An alternative procedure, often referred to as a mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty, achieves similar results, but utilizes a smaller incision and concentrates on the area below the navel. A mini tummy tuck is a possible alternative if your problem areas are mostly in the lower abdomen.
Am I A Good Candidate For A Tummy Tuck?
You might be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if:
- You are close to your ideal weight and your weight has been stable for at least six months
- You have specific problem areas of excess fat or loose skin that have proven resistant to diet and exercise
- Your expectations regarding the results of the surgery are realistic
- You are in general good health overall
What Kind Of Results Can I Expect?
While a Tummy Tuck can bring about dramatic results, it should not be thought of as a substitute for proper diet and exercise. If you don’t maintain a proper diet and appropriate activity levels, your body will naturally create new fat deposits that can adversely affect the results of your surgery. Also, if you are planning to get pregnant in the future, you might want to postpone a Tummy Tuck until after you’re done bearing children. Any rapid weight gain, including pregnancy, can greatly diminish the positive outcome of your surgery.
However, if you’re willing to maintain appropriate weight and activity levels, your new, slimmer silhouette will be with you for a long time.
Following your doctor’s post-operative instructions will greatly reduce these risks. Also, if you are in good general health and a non-smoker before the surgery, your risks of complications will be much lower.
To receive more information on a tummy tuck procedure, or to schedule a initial consultation with Dr. Chhatre, please contact Summit Plastic Surgery and Med Spa. Dr. Chhatre and his staff will be happy to answer all your questions, and treat you with care and respect in our unique, fully licensed surgical facility.
