Tummy Tuck – Abdominoplasty
Tummy Tucks: The Basics
Tummy tuck procedures are for women or men who are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose skin that just will not respond to diet or exercise. In addition, it is beneficial for those who have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin with excessive weight or childbirth. Liposuction alone can remove the fat, but no skin is removed with liposuction. Furthermore, skin tightening is not a key feature of liposuction, especially if there is considerable excess skin present. However, an abdominoplasty features removal of large amounts of excess skin as well as the ability to simultaneously tighten the muscles. Frequently, a flat abdomen is uncovered beneath the excesses above. During the consultation, Dr. Dulin, Dr. Harris, or Dr. Raphael will inform you of how much skin they will remove and what expectations you may have following a tummy tuck. They will show you where the scar will be and inform you of the possible complications of this surgery. Lastly, they will tell you if muscle tightening is necessary for you to achieve your goals.
About the Tummy Tuck Procedure
A tummy tuck takes 2-3 hours to perform and is done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. This procedure may be performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures, such as liposuction or breast augmentation. An incision is made in the area above the pubic region and extends frequently hipbone to hipbone. The incision is placed low enough that it can be hidden by most swimsuits, although the location of the scar can be customized to some extent based on the kind of swimwear you enjoy wearing. In cases in which the underlying muscles will be tightened, permanent (non-dissolving) sutures are used to flatten the stomach. Excess skin is then removed, followed by creating a new opening for the navel. The majority of sutures are internal and dissolvable. After surgery, a special type of surgical tape covers the main incision
One or two drains are inserted under the skin to remove excess fluid from the surgical site and are typically removed in 1 to 3 weeks. It is recommended that you take one to two weeks to recover, however, this may vary depending on your lifestyle and the type of tummy tuck that was performed. Extremely strenuous activity should be avoided for 3-6 weeks although walking is encouraged following tummy tuck surgery as it may minimize post-operative complications.
Tummy Tuck Photo Gallery:
What follows are photos of our plastic surgery patients. You are viewing an image gallery for Dr. Scott Harris, Dr. Alan Dulin, and Dr. Peter Raphael of the American Institute for Plastic Surgery. Dr. Raphael, Dr. Dulin and Dr. Harris are Dallas plastic surgeons who specialize in tummy tucks, mommy makeovers, and many other cosmetic procedures. To see more detail on these patients who have chosen to a tummy tuck, please click on any individual image.
