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An Abdominoplasty,
commonly called a Tummy Tuck,
is a major surgical procedure in which excess skin and
fatty tissues are removed from the lower abdomen. and
the muscles of the abdominal wall may be tightened.
Once stretched by pregnancy or weight gain, the abdomen
often fails to return to its original shape. Because
these tissues have been stretched beyond the capacity
to return to normal, they will also fail to respond
to exercise or diet programs. This procedure can drastically
reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen and remove
abdominal skin with stretch marks. The variations of
this are the standard abdominoplasty and the mini-abdominoplasty,
which is frequently combined with liposuction of the
abdomen or waist.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
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A patient who is healthy
but has excess skin and/or fat that does not respond
to diet and exercise. |
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Patients who have undergone significant
weight loss and have hanging skin. |
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Women with loose skin and stretch
marks, especially those located below the umbilicus
(“belly button”) following pregnancy. |
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Older patients with loss of skin
elasticity. |
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Patients with a protruding abdominal
wall who are unable to firm up the abdominal muscles
with exercise. |
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A patient who should be able to stop
smoking for several weeks before and after this
major surgery. |
INTENDED RESULTS
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A smoother, flatter abdomen
with fewer stretch marks. |
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Before and After
Tmmy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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Before and After
Tmmy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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PROCEDURE
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Abdominoplasty is usually
done under general anesthesia in the safety of the
hospital or an accredited, outpatient surgery facility. |
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An incision is made across the lower
part of the abdomen. A circular incision is made
around the belly button, which stays attached to
the underlying muscle. The skin and underlying fatty
layer is then separated from the muscle up towards
the ribs, so that it can then be pulled down and
redraped like a window curtain. The tummy is then
"tightened", (narrowing and flattening
the abdomen) by stitching the muscles together.
The excess skin, which is the area that has most
of the stretch marks, is then removed. The belly
button is then brought through the abdominal skin,
and the abdominal skin and belly button are then
tailored and sutured. |
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The mini-abdominoplasty can benefit
patients who have a small amount of excess skin
and fat or protrusion of the lower abdomen. Liposuction
may be used alone or in conjunction with a tummy
tuck to benefit selected patients. |
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The standard abdominoplasty tightens
all of the abdominal wall skin and muscles. |
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The extended abdominoplasty tightens
the abdomen and the flanks or sides (Requires a
longer scar the extends around the flanks onto the
lower back). |
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The lower abdominal sutures are typically
beneath the skin to strengthen the scar and avoid
stitch marks. |
RECOVERY
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After surgery, the bed
is positioned so that the patient is flexed at the
hips (waist) to keep tension off of the newly tightened
skin. |
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Patients frequently use an abdominal
binder to support and protect the tightened abdominal
wall. Many patients feel that the snug binder is
comforting. |
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Small drain tubes will be required
for a several days to avoid an accumulation of fluids
beneath the skin flap. |
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Within 24 hours, walking is encouraged
in a bent-over position. Brisk walking exercise
may begin in about 2 weeks. Some people return to
work and daily activities as soon as 10 days after
surgery. Strenuous activities, exercise and lifting
more than 10 pounds must be avoided for up to 6
weeks. |
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Softening of the surgical scars,
return of sensation, and loosening of the tight
sensation may take several months. |
OTHER OPTIONS
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Additional procedures
that may enhance the result are liposuction, breast
procedures and thigh lift. |
INSURANCE GUIDELINES
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In general, abdominoplasty
is considered cosmetic surgery. Several conditions
may be covered completely or in part by insurance.
These include defects of the abdominal wall, such
as hernias, diastases (separation of the muscles),
or trauma resulting in muscle loss, weakness or
painful scar contracture. In addition, a large hanging
“skin apron”, frequently seen after
massive weight loss, is removed more for the reasons
of function than of cosmetic reasons. The insurance
companies will determine whether is may or may not
be a covered expense. Dr. Weeter’s office
can help request preauthorization from your insurance
company. |
| NOTE: The specific risks
and the suitability of this procedure for you may be determined only at
the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. |
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