Tummy Tuck
Do you find yourself with unwanted, excess skin on your tummy? You are not alone—this is a common frustration experienced by many of our patients at The Centre, P.C.
Abdominal excess skin can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, diet, exercise, age, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions. If you are concerned about your abdominal area for cosmetic or medical reasons, you may be the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck.
A tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, is a popular surgical procedure among both women and men who desire a flatter, tighter, and more contoured abdomen. A tummy tuck offers dramatic results by reducing the appearance of a protruding abdomen that does not respond to diet and exercise.
Tummy tucks are one of our most popular procedures for patients who want to dramatically improve the appearance of their abdomen after major weight loss or following pregnancy. When our bodies go through changes such as these, typically the abdominal region can no longer return to its original, youthful form.
Am I a candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
For patients who want to dramatically enhance the appearance of their abdomen, a tummy tuck can be the ideal procedure. This surgery is designed to help patients who feel a lack of confidence with the appearance of their tummy.
What to Expect During your Tummy Tuck
Prior to your surgery with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, you will be required to:
-Avoid smoking for at least six weeks before the procedure
- Avoid Motrin, Aspirin, and other blood thinning medications
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
Following all pre and post operative instructions carefully will help you reduce the risk of complications and ensure a smooth recovery.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, an abdominoplasty can take between two to five hours under general anesthesia.
Your surgeon will make a horizontal incision typically from hipbone to hipbone, lift the abdominal skin from the abdominal muscles, and insert drainage tubes to remove the excess fluid. Next, the abdominal wall will be surgically repaired with permanent sutures to help shape and define the waist. The belly button will then be repositioned and sutured in place. Next, the excess abdominal skin will be discarded, and the incision will be closed. Finally, a surgical adhesive is placed on the closed incision. You will also be provided with a few compression garments to help control swelling. The drains will be removed in our office about a week or more after surgery. The end result: a smooth, tight, flat abdomen.
Call The Centre, P.C. Today!
If you have excess abdominal skin that prevents you from living your best life, a tummy tuck may be right for you! Our experienced board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the appearance of your abdomen and bring back your confidence. Schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons today to find out how a tummy tuck can transform your body and your life. Call us at 574-968-9100 option #2!
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Frequently Asked Questions
A tummy tuck is performed by making an incision just above the pubic area. The length of the incision will depend on the type of tummy tuck being done. Another incision is made around the navel or belly button. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall to reveal the abdominal muscles. The muscles are tightened by using a permanent stich which is how the surgeons are able to achieve the flattest abdomen possible. The skin is then pulled over the abdomen and as much excess as possible is removed. A new incision is made for the navel. Finally, the incision is closed, and a bandage is applied. A temporary drain will be placed in the pubic region to help drain excess fluid that accumulates during and after the procedure. This drain would be removed 7 to 10 days following your surgery.
The tummy tuck procedure can be broken down into three types of tummy tucks offered at The Centre, P.C.
A mini-abdominoplasty, or mini- tummy tuck repairs the lower abdominal wall and involves removal of excess skin. The mini- tummy tuck leaves the smallest scar. However, ideal candidates have very little excess skin and fat deposits in the abdomen.
A standard tummy tuck tightens the entire abdominal wall muscles and removes excess skin, leaving a scar that extends from hip bone to hip bone across the lower abdomen. The scar is easily concealed below the bikini line.
An extended tummy tuck tightens the entire abdominal wall and removes excess skin from the flanks along with the abdomen. This procedure leaves a scar which extends around to flanks.
Finally, a circumferential tummy tuck tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin from the abdomen, flanks, and back/trunk. The incision is placed around the entire lower body.
Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your health and assess your abdominal region at your consultation to help determine which type of tummy tuck would be most suitable for you. One of the plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. will see you at your consultation and one additional appointment will be scheduled prior to your surgery.
After your tummy tuck, moderate pain and discomfort are expected. Many women compare it to the pain felt following a c-section. You may not be able to stand straight immediately following surgery, but you will be able to walk slowly shortly after surgery.
A support garment will be worn to help reduce swelling and provide extra support to the abdomen. You should be feeling like your old self within several weeks.
Like all scars, your tummy tuck scar will be red and raised at first but fades beautifully over time. Our surgeons purposely make their incisions just above the pubic region, so you are able to wear low-cut bottoms or bathing suits. We also provide you with silicone scar strips to help speed up healing and minimize the scars appearance.
If you intend to lose more than 20 pounds, you should wait to have this surgery until you are 5-10 pounds of your goal weight.
Many abdominoplasties are successfully performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. As with all procedures, there is always a possibility of certain risks and complications. Complications such as infections and blood clots are rare but can occur. Infections are treated with antibiotics and close monitoring by our surgeons. Poor healing can cause a larger scar than necessary, which may require a second procedure.
All risks and complications can be minimized by carefully following your surgeon's instructions.
You may be concerned about the potential negative effect that your tummy tuck can have on your future pregnancy and family planning. Additionally, you might be anxious about potentially wasting your beautiful tummy tuck results and the money that you have spent to get them. These are very real concerns.
Unfortunately, pregnancy typically results in weight gain and abdominal stretching. You could once again have excess skin and a protruding abdomen. These issues will likely require surgical correction and revision in order to restore your original tummy tuck results. It is very likely that, if you do become pregnant following abdominoplasty, you may be required to have a revision procedure in the future.