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Tummy Tuck: Before and After
Statistics determined by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shown that in the past three years, close to 300,000 women have selected to have a Tummy tuck procedure. Women interested in the tummy tuck seek out Dr. Weider to improve the appearance of a protruding abdomen due to failed traditional methods for weight loss and muscle strengthening. Tummy tuck contours the body by:
- Creating a tightened abdominal wall appearance
- Removing excess fat in the mid and lower abdomen
- Improving the appearance of excess skin in the mid and lower abdomen
- Improving skin elasticity loss
Dr. Weider performs tummy tuck, technically known as abdominoplasty, to redefine the abdominal area through his gift in plastic surgery. During a consultation with Dr. Weider, you will learn about every feature of the abdominoplasty procedure, including:
- Techniques that incorporate liposuction and muscle tightening
- Mini-tummy tuck technique for less extensive cases, which removes excess fat and tightens skin and lax muscles below the navel
- How skin elasticity and abdominal firmness may affect the procedure
- Anesthesia
- Facility choices such as our fully accredited facility and surgical center
- Guidelines to reduce the risk of complications after tummy tuck
- Costs for tummy tuck, including: surgeon’s fees facility fees, and anesthesia fees
The Surgery
Dr. Weider performs tummy tuck to provide a firmer abdominal wall and a narrowed waist line. The time required for tummy tuck may be three or more hours, depends upon the need for liposuction and the extent of excess fat and skin. During tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Weider will make an incision from one hip bone to the other hip bone, along the pubic line. The length of the incision depends upon the extent of the procedure. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. In the mini-tummy tuck procedure, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved. Though, the navel may be pulled into a smaller shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.
During surgery, Dr. Weider will lift the skin and create a skin flap to uncover the abdominal wall muscles. Then, he will tighten the muscles by pulling them close together to suture them into a tightened position. Dr. Weider will then stretch the skin flap downward, trim excess skin and suture the skin flap into place. A new navel may be created and stitched into place. Liposuction may be performed during abdominoplasty to remove excess abdominal fat. Finally, a temporary drain and pain pump may be placed in the abdomen to drain fluid.
The Mini Tummy Tuck involves lifting the skin that is located between the incision line and the navel to tighten loose muscles, trim excess skin and suture all into place.
Aftercare for Tummy Tuck
You will typically spend the first night following the procedure in our surgical center to assist with the initial recovery. Dr. Weider will also see you in the days following the procedure. You will be provided with guidelines for dressing treatment, drain care, activity restrictions and medications to ease discomfort. You will be given a support garment that must be worn in the first three to four weeks following abdominoplasty. You may experience swelling, bruising, bleeding and numbness. Symptoms will usually be relieved with use of a compression garment.
The list of guidelines provided by Dr. Weider reduces the risk of complications from the tummy tuck procedure. Complications from abdominoplasty are rare and can usually be managed by Dr. Weider. Some complications include: adverse anesthesia reaction, excessive bleeding, blood clots, and excessive scarring. Scars will be evident below the bikini line for nine to twelve months. Scars will lighten and usually flatten in the months to follow. Many people return to work within two weeks following the procedure, but some prefer up to four weeks of rest time.
The beauty in the results will be apparent soon after the recovery period and should last for many years thereafter. Tummy tuck results may change over time, depending upon aging, weight changes, and pregnancy. In the final analysis, the benefits from tummy tuck are most often rewarding for Dr. Weider’s patients.
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