Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
Patients often have multiple procedures at the same time. The most common include breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tuck, and/or liposuction. This saves both time and money since costs are often reduced when multiple procedures are combined. Additional procedures would also include facial cosmetic surgery or those related to weight loss such as thigh or buttock lifts.
Abdominoplasty , known more commonly as a “tummy tuck ,” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
If you’re considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon.
The tummy tuck procedure tightens the muscles to provide a sleeker, stronger abdominal wall and to make the waist smaller. Loose, lax skin often compromised by stretch marks, is removed. You will be up in a day or two after surgery, but activity may be restricted for three or four weeks while tissues firm and heal. Most plastic surgeons‘ patients return to work within a couple of weeks.
Abdominoplasty , known more commonly as a “tummy tuck ,” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
If you’re considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon.
Many factors can effect the contour of your abdomen. Childbirth can stretch abdominal tissues to an extent un correctable with exercise, excess fat deposits can produce undesirable bulges or fullness, and loose skin following childbirth or weight loss can result in an unattractive abdomen.
Abdominoplasty is a procedure which improves the contour and appearance of the abdomen by contouring or reshaping the underlying muscle framework, and removing excess fat and loose skin.
During pregnancy, enlargement of your uterus causes significant stretching of the tissues of your abdomen. After delivery, you can exercise to recover the tone in the muscles themselves, but the fascial tissues which interconnect the muscles may have been stretched, and fascia does not respond to exercise. Stretching or looseness of the lower abdominal tissues can allow bulging of your lower abdomen which you may not be able to correct with exercise.
After significant weight loss, as fatty tissue is decreased beneath the skin of your abdomen, your abdominal skin may become much looser, and sometimes actually hang downward. Skin also does not respond to any type of exercise, but excess loose skin can be removed during abdominoplasty.
Even in individuals who are not overweight, localized deposits of fat can occur in areas of the abdomen, producing undesirable contours. If fat deposits are the only contour problem, they may be correctable with suction lipoplasty alone, but if stretched musculature or loose skin are present, abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the best contour.
So abdominoplasty does three things: it reshapes the underlying framework of the abdomen to improve shape and contour, it removes excess fat deposits which may be present, and it removes excess loose skin to improve the overall contour, appearance and shape of the abdomen.
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a “tummy tuck,” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the tummy tuck surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy.
An abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a commonly performed surgery that tightens weak or stretched muscles and removes excess skin, creating a flat and toned abdomen. An abdominoplasty is an body contouring plastic surgery operation in which the loose skin and fat of the abdominal wall, particularly around the navel, is removed by elevation of the skin and fat, pulling it inferiorly and excising the excess. It is particularly effective in removing stretch marks from the lover abdomen, but it must be understood that not all stretch marks can be eliminated. The navel is reinserted into the skin after the tightening procedure.
The first consultation allows you to meet with your plastic surgeon and staff to discuss your needs and concerns. You will learn about your surgery, the risks and complications, recovery time and look at before and after pictures. Your discussion with him or her covers all aspects of the surgery and you will discuss with him or her your expectations of the surgery. Your plastic surgeon will be able to examine your body and talk about the procedures necessary to meet your expectations.
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from abdominoplasty. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved. He or she will individualize your treatment plan with you and discuss with you what type of abdominoplasty will give you your best results (ie. mini-abdominoplasty vs. full abdominoplasty vs. extended abdominoplasty).
You will have before pictures taken, which allows the physician to plan your surgery and also allows computer imaging to be done and viewed at a later date. After meeting with your surgeon you will have the opportunity to meet with the nurse and review pre-operative and post-operative care necessary for the surgery. You plastic surgeon’s assistant will discuss fees and schedule your surgery at a time convenient to both schedules.
During abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that extends from hip to hip along the lower pubic area. A skilled plastic surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar is hidden under a bathing suit or by undergarments. The plastic surgeon then lifts the loose skin off of the abdominal wall, and tightens and repairs the loosened “rectus” muscles – the muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength – achieving the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.
During Mini-Abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that generally spans only the width of the pubic area, and that is similar to a C-section incision. In both procedures, patients with excessive fat in the hips and flanks may have liposuction in these areas to contour them, but not in the areas of the abdomen that are being stretched because this could cause damage to the blood circulation in those areas, leading to scarring or even skin loss. The result of a tummy tuck is an abdomen that is tight and flat, a waist that is narrow and curvy and thighs and buttocks that are firmer.
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, removes loose hanging abdominal skin and tightens weakened abdominal wall muscles. Because even diligent diet and exercise cannot fix these problems, each year more than 80,000 American women and men undergo tummy tuck surgery. Women and men who have a protruding belly, loose hanging abdominal skin and weak abdominal muscles are candidates for a full tummy tuck.
Mini-abdominoplasty, also known as a mini-tummy tuck, is reserved for those who have only a limited amount of loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen, or above the public bone. Also, Mini tummy tuck does not usually involve the tightening of abdominal muscles. Therefore, it is sometimes combined with liposuction for patients with excessive fat, but limited looseness of the abdomen.
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a “tummy tuck,” is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. This procedure produces a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
The skin over the abdomen area can become stretched out after childbirth or weight loss. This skin does not retract to its original tightness and can be loose and saggy. The abdominal muscles also have stretched out and have not regained their normal position, giving the appearance of a “pot belly” no matter how many sit-ups a person does. An abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” will correct both of these problems. The excess skin is removed and the muscles are tightened to firm up the abdomen and provide better contour.
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a “tummy tuck,” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
If you’re considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon.
Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons offer both traditional and Endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty to remove excess skin, stretch marks, and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This reshaping and contouring of your figure provides a flatter, smoother, and more youthful look.
An abdominoplasty can help individuals restore a thinner and fitter looking contour to their bodies. The tummy area is made smaller to better match the body of the patient. Board certifed plastic surgeons accomplish this by removing excess fat and skin in the abdominal area and tightening the underlying muscle tissues. This not only helps to restore the physical appearance of the patient, but also restores self-confidence and respect to the patient.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, your surgery will probably be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.
Also called a “tummy tuck”, abdominoplasty can remove excess skin and fat, stretch marks, and scars on the lower abdomen. It corrects unwanted changes that are left after weight loss or childbirth. The procedure also tightens the abdominal muscles and decreases the waistline.
Abdominoplasty does not involve entering the abdomen itself, only more superficial areas of the body. The incisions for this procedure extend from just below the pubic line to the belly button.
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved. Contact a board certified plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck in California.