Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Information by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles County
About Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck )
Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, to shape and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall, as well as bring in the hips and waist area. The operation can dramatically improve the appearance of the abdomen, especially if there is excess skin and fat or an abdominal protrusion, such as after one or more pregnancies.
The Best Candidates for Abdominoplasty
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men and women who are in relatively good physical shape, but bothered by excess fat and loose skin in the waist area that will not improve with diet and exercise.
The best candidates for an abdominoplasty are those that have the following:
- Excess or overhanging abdominal skin
- Have a protruding belly following one or more pregnancies
- Have any inelastic skin or unsightly stretch marks in the abdomen
- Maintain a relatively stable weight and are not significantly overweight
Abdominoplasty is not a procedure intended for weight loss. It is rather a procedure that improves the contouring and shaping in the belly area after an individual has stabilized her weight and body shape with as much as diet and exercise will allow for them.
Patients who are poor candidates for the procedure include:
- Overweight patients seeking a weight loss operation
- A patient who intends to lose a significant amount of additional weight in the future
- A woman who intends to have future pregnancies
The Surgery
A full abdominoplasty typically takes two to four hours, but may take longer, depending upon the shape and size of the patient. A “mini” abdominoplasty may be performed in even less time.
Surgery always is performed using general anesthesia with the patient completely comfortable and asleep during the entire procedure. Typically, an incision is made around the level of the bikini line. The incision may be relatively narrow, but usually extends wide, to allow the excess skin to be properly tailored and re-draped for a flatter and shapelier abdomen. The skin and fat is lifted up and the bellybutton is released with an additional small circular incision.
At this point the fascia, or covering over the abdominal muscles, is tightened with strong suture material so that the abdominal muscles are brought back into their natural anatomic position near the midline. It is important to note that muscle is not cut or divided in a standard abdominoplasty. Additional laxity or looseness in the waist or other portions of the abdominal fascia, or covering, is also carefully tightened down with strong sutures to allow the waist to assume an improved shape.
The overlying skin and fat and is then carefully drawn down over the previous incision and the excess is trimmed. The incision is closed in multiple layers using strong, self-absorbing sutures. The bellybutton is retained, but brought out through a small new opening that is created by Dr. Granzow.
During the procedure liposuction may be performed in areas such as the hips for further contouring as needed.
Mini Abdominoplasty
In a “mini” abdominoplasty, the tightening of the abdominal wall with strong sutures is usually not required. A much smaller incision around the bikini line then is used to tighten abdominal excess skin and fat.
Risks of the Procedure
Abdominoplasty is a commonly performed operation and is typically quite safe. However, standard risks do exist which are common to all physicians performing the procedure. These include bleeding, infection, pain, wide or unsightly scars, irregularity and need for revision surgery, and standard anesthesia risks including the very low incidence of blood clots in the legs or lungs. Please feel free to ask the doctor about any questions or concerns that you may have.
After the surgery
After surgery, there will be some soreness and swelling of the abdominal area. You will be given plenty of pain medication to take home with you. You will also be able to shower the same evening you go home.
Dr. Granzow has his patients up and walking quite soon after surgery. Patients are typically able to resume light duty, such as a desk job, about a week after surgery. Additional activity begins two weeks following surgery, and progressively increases over the next several weeks, until full activity is attained around five or six weeks after surgery.
All sutures are typically self-dissolving and do not require removal. The color of the incision will normally become redder in the first few weeks after surgery and then change and fade continuously afterwards.
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An incision just above the pubic area is used to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen.
Skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs.
The surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue together and stitches them, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall.
Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is removed. With complete abdominoplasty, a new opening is cut for the navel. Both incisions are stitched closed.
After surgery, the patient has a flatter, trimmer abdomen. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time. |
