Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Have you had children and it stretched your abdominal skin and muscles? • Are you self-conscience when in a swimsuit or when being intimate with your partner because of loose skin on your abdomen? • Do you exercise to try and flatten your tummy to no avail?
What is an Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is surgery to flatten and reshape the abdominal region. Excess skin is removed and lax muscles are often tightened. Tummy tuck benefits include your abdomen becoming much smoother and tighter, clothes fitting better and self-confidence improving. The complexity of an Abdominoplasty will vary depending on the patient, the amount of loose skin, the amount of muscle laxity, and the desired improvement. Sometimes only a ‘mini’ abdominoplasty is required which is a shorter incision, the belly button is unaffected and the muscles are not addressed.
The Procedure
A standard Abdominoplasty often requires an incision from hip to hip. The abdominal muscles are sutured together to tighten them, muscle is not cut. The belly button (umbilicus) is released via a circular incision, the skin is pulled down and excess is trimmed off, the belly button is then released back into its original position and sutured into place. Skin will be lifted for any necessary muscle repair after the incisions are made. Stretch marks are often trimmed away with a tummy tuck. Sometimes an extended abdominoplasty is performed with incisions that extend around the hips to remove excess skin that extends past the abdomen, and still yet, sometimes a lower body lift is required. Abdominoplasty is performed with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Incisions for an abdominoplasty extend around the hips to remove excess skin that extends past the abdomen, and still yet, sometimes a lower body lift is required. Depending on what you and Dr. Partington have discussed, you will either be getting a full or a mini tummy tuck. The size and area of the incision will depend on desired results and drainage tubes may be placed to remove excess fluid. An Abdominoplasty procedure can accomplish what no amount of exercise possibly could. It is one of the most popular procedures performed and has a very high satisfaction rating.
The Recovery
Recovering from abdominoplasty takes time and you may experience some pain and discomfort. It is crucial to spend the first few days in bed with minimal activity. Dr. Partington will provide a list of what to expect as far as swelling, garments, and medication. Swelling and bruising can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. If you feel as though your discomfort or side effects are above average or you have been experiencing them for too long, contact Partington Plastic Surgery right away to discuss the best way to treat them.
