What is a Tummy Tuck?

 

 

            Abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as a Tummy Tuck) is a surgical procedure that flattens a bulging abdominal wall by tightening the muscles and removing the excess fatty tissue and skin. Several reasons such as pregnancy, excessive weight loss (gastric bypass patients for example), or loose skin that has been overstretched may cause one’s abdominal wall to become loose. During your consultation with us, please feel free to discuss your expectations and desires. We will explain the probable outcomes, but want to express to you that all plastic surgery results vary.

 

MINI TUMMY TUCK:

 

This is when the skin and laxity of your muscles lie mostly below the belly button. A mini tummy tuck is usually performed in conjunction with liposuction (the removal of excess fatty tissue)of the upper abdomen and hip areas. Sutures are placed to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall, while liposuction is used thru the “mini” incision to remove the fatty tissue. If you have an exess of redundant skin, then a full tummy tuck may be needed.

 

FULL TUMMY TUCK:

 

As the mini tummy tuck, the full tummy tuck is used to flatten a protuberant stomach. This involves an incision around the belly button and another incision that runs from hip to hip.  Your entire belly wall is tightened with permanent sutures and the excess fat and skin is also removed. 

 

Both procedures are usually done on an outpatient basis. If you don’t want to have a scar, then you may need to consider liposuction. Small drains are usually inserted at the time of surgery to help evacuate any fluid that may accumulate under your skin. You will go home with these drains and our nurses will instruct you on how to care for them.  You will also have a tight bandage around your waist. These measures are to help you get as good of a result as possible. 

 

Your recovery will vary, but for most, bed rest is recommended the first day. Moderate ambulation will begin the following day.  You must refrain from driving for at least 10 days after surgery.  You must also refrain from any strenuous exercise or straining until released by our surgeons to do this activity.  Most patients are back to work within 3 weeks depending on which procedure they have done. Most patients will experience some numbness in their abdomen after this procedure. Most of the pain they will experience can be controlled with oral medication. We always advise our patients to take the prescribed medication routinely for the first 48 hours. An abdominal support will be worn at all times after this operation, unless you are going to take a shower.  These instructions will be given at the first post-op visit.  There will be scarring that will fade somewhat with time; the results will vary.