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Sometimes simply dieting and exercising are not enough to take care of waistline problems. In such cases, a patient may wish to consider a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty). A tummy tuck is the surgical removal of excess skin or fatty deposits from the abdomen, along with the repositioning of abdomen muscles into a tighter formation. This bodily enhancement procedure is designed for those who wish to have a flatter and tighter stomach. It is also helpful in remedying the vertical separation of abdomen muscles known as diastasis, which can occur following pregnancy.
Reasons for Considering an Abdominoplasty:
Inability of dieting and exercise to improve the abdomen area.
Excessive accumulation of skin following weight loss.
Loss of skin elasticity or diastasis (loose abdomen muscles) due to pregnancy.
The removal of unsightly skin and fat deposits as well as the proper alignment of the abdomen muscles to produce a more flattering look.
General Procedure
Abdominoplasty surgery lasts anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the desired look and the patient’s unique physiology. The larger and heavier the patients are the longer the surgery will take. The surgery is performed in my surgery center at 1035 Park Ave. To begin the procedure, an incision is made just above the pubic bone area. This incision goes horizontally across the lower abdomen. Rarely, in patients with massive weight loss the incision will be extended around to the back. The skin is then dissected away from the muscle tissue, and excess skin is removed from the lower part of the abdomen below the umbilicus. The abdomen muscle tissue is tightened to provide a firmly contoured stomach and well-defined waistline. Finally, the incision is closed; and the skin is stitched back into place. Sometimes the procedure requires an additional incision around the navel in order to provide the best results. The scar is permanent. I try to give everyone the best scar possible.
Recovery Process
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. As the body recuperates, the patient can expect some swelling, pain, and discomfort. Medication will be prescribed to relieve any pain caused by the procedure. The stitches will be removed shortly after the surgery depending on the procedure(s) involved. Most of the sutures dissolve. Normal activities can generally be resumed within one week and all activities by two to three weeks. It may take up to a year for the body to completely adapt to the new abdominal configuration. With proper diet and exercise the striking results of the surgery will be long lasting.