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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
San Francisco - Oakland - Santa Rosa
Abdominoplasty If a more toned abdomen is your goal and diet and exercise don’t help, then an abdominoplasty (also called tummy tuck) may be a good choice for you.
Abdominoplasty is designed to smooth and flatten the abdomen by excising excess skin, fat, and may also tighten the underlying muscles of the abdominal wall. In some cases, liposuction is used to accentuate the definition of the abdomen.
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Who is a Candidate Abdominoplasty is best suited for men and women who are in good health, and have loose abdominal skin or excess abdominal fat that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
You may be a candidate for abdominoplasty if you have any of the following:
· Excess or hanging
abdominal skin.
· An abdomen that protrudes, unnaturally.
· Weak abdominal muscles that cause an abdominal bulge.
· Excess fat.
Many candidates are females who have had children or men and women who have had a significant weight loss. If you are planning to get pregnant, or lose a significant amount of weight, then this should be discussed.
Before Surgery A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering an abdominoplasty. During this appointment, Dr. Delgado will ask you to discuss your concerns about your appearance. He will use digital photography and computer imaging to discuss your physical anatomy and review your goals. Dr. Delgado will also display the locations of the abdominal incisions and provide a computer image of the proposed outcome.
Dr. Delgado will examine your abdomen to assess the quality of the abdominal skin, the location of any existing scars, the amount of excess fat, and the condition of the underlying muscles.
Dr. Delgado provides
a precise preoperative booklet that provides pre and post operative instructions,
including medications in advance of your surgery. All aspirin and aspirin
containing products, including anti-inflammatory products must be stopped
two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Dr. Delgado’s preoperative
instructions will have a complete list of these medications to avoid.
Tylenol may be taken during this time. Also you will be given a list of
homeopathic preparations as well as vitamins to take prior to and after
surgery. This is done to promote healing and limit bruising.
Anesthesia General anesthesia is used for abdominoplasty.
It is performed at a hospital or an outpatient surgery center with a 24-hour
stay facility. Patients remain overnight and are discharged the following
morning.
Operative Procedure Before anesthesia is given, a surgical marking pen is used to draw a detailed “map” on the abdominal area. This architectural plan enables the doctor to make the accurate changes from the sitting to the lying position.
After anesthesia is given, a horizontal incision is made within or at the pubic hairline towards the hip bones. The incision is strategically placed within the swimsuit lines. The more excess skin that exists, the longer the incision. Through this incision, the muscles can be tightened by pulling them together to achieve a flatter abdomen. The skin is pulled downward, the excess skin excised, and sutured into position. Skin with stretch marks may be completely or partially excised. Liposuction is used to improve the abdominal contour. A large amount of tissue is excised and a smaller incision is made around the umbilicus (belly button), allowing the tissue above the umbilicus to be pulled downward and removed. The umbilicus position is unchanged; it heals slightly altered. The abdomen is closed with multiple layers of sutures and a compression garment is placed around the abdominal area.
After Surgery The first few hours after surgery will be spent in the recovery room. When you are fully alert, you will be able to recover in the outpatient center or go home the same day. Medications are given to keep you comfortable. Dr. Delgado will see you the following morning and discharge you home to a friend or family member.
You will not be able to stand up erect immediately after surgery. Dr. Delgado encourages early ambulation to reduce swelling and promote blood circulation. You should avoid any strenuous activity, lifting, or bending. Pain is described as moderate and easily controlled with medication; this significantly improves within 3 to 7 days.
If drains are placed (to removed any accumulation of fluid), they will be removed within the first week. Bruising and swelling begins to dissipate at 7 to 10 days, and sutures are removed in approximately 10 days.
The surgical garment is worn for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Dr. Delgado allows light exercise at 4 weeks.
It takes several months to see the final results of your abdominoplasty surgery. By this time the tightness and the numbness will resolve and the incisions begin to fade.
Risks and Complications Like all surgeries, abdominoplasty carries the risk of bleeding, infections, and the risk of anesthesia. However, with a well-trained plastic surgery team, and state-of-the-art surgical facilities, these complications are extremely rare.
Abdominoplasty surgery produces a long incision. These incisions usually heal excellently, but occasionally will form scars that respond well to minor scar revisions or medical treatment. If fluid accumulates underneath the skin, it will be aspirated in the office.
Other Options A “mini” abdominoplasty requires a short incision at the pubic hairline and the umbilicus is not altered. Aggressive abdominal liposuction can be performed with a mini tummy tuck. In addition, the underlying muscles can be partially tightened. The procedure is good for patients who have the following:
· Minimal to moderate
skin laxity.
· Moderate abdominal fat.
· Mild to moderate abdominal muscle separation.
Liposuction only can be done if you have good skin, and muscle tone. This is a good choice for women who plan to get pregnant in the future.
Results The results after abdominoplasty surgery are quite dramatic and long lasting. Many patients find that the flatter and firmer abdomen boost their confidence and makes them feel more confident in clothing. Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight, you can expect to maintain your new shape for many years.