Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck, also refered as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure also helps to flatten the stomach by tightening loose abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery is a popular body contouring treatment for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, but it is not a weight loss surgery. Tummy tuck surgery is also often included as part of a comprehensive mommy makeover.
Who Is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Individuals who are in good overall health, but have inelastic skin in their abdominal region are typically considered good candidates for tummy tuck surgery, especially if the underlying muscles have become loose or damaged. Women with stretched abdominal areas due to previous pregnancies also often benefit considerably from abdominoplasty, although Dr Naveen recommends for patients to complete all planned childbearing prior to considering this procedure.
Tummy tuck surgery is not a replacement for proper diet and exercise; patients interested in this procedure should be healthy and at or near their goal weight.If you are in generally good physical shape but are concerned about abdominal fat deposits and loose skin that does not respond to diet and exercise, abdominoplasty can potentially reduce or even eliminate a protruding stomach. Patients who are only concerned about stubborn pockets of fat may be considered better candidates for liposuction alone. During your consultation with Dr Naveen, he can recommend the most appropriate treatment, based on your unique needs and concerns.
How Is the Tummy Tuck Procedure Performed?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia at a local hospital, and usually takes about two or three hours, but times can vary, depending on each patient’s individual case. During surgery, Dr Naveen will make an incision low on the abdomen, extending from hip to hip. He is careful to place the incision strategically so that the resulting scar can be easily concealed, once healed.
Excess skin is removed, and abdominal muscles can be repaired and tightened at this time. For improved contour, Dr Naveen can also remove any stubborn fat deposits in the area via liposuction. Once the procedure is complete, remaining skin can be pulled tight and reattached, ultimately giving the abdomen a smooth and sculpted appearance.
What Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Like?
Following tummy tuck surgery, you will be admitted overnight at the hospital for your comfort and safety, and Dr Naveen will personally discharge you the next day. There will likely be some mild to moderate discomfort, but this can easily be managed with medication. A compression garment will need to be worn during the recovery period, to assist with proper healing and to ensure ideal results are achieved. Swelling and bruising is normal, but these side effects should fade over time.
Most patients can resume their regular routines two weeks after surgery, as long as their daily activities do not include strenuous activity. More physically demanding work or recreation should be avoided for at least 4-7 weeks. To give you a better idea of what to expect, Dr Naveen will provide you with more specific guidelines, based on your individual treatment plan.
Results of tummy tuck surgery can be long-lasting if a healthy lifestyle is maintained. Future weight gain and/or pregnancy can potentially affect results, but revisional surgery can be performed to restore the initial outcome, if desired.
Will I Have Conspicuous Tummy Tuck Scars?
Although scarring after tummy tuck surgery is unavoidable, Dr Naveen takes great care to place the incision in a way that produces a scar that can be hidden beneath most types of undergarments. Additionally, he will provide you with aftercare instructions that can help encourage fading. Overall, though, most of Dr Naveen abdominoplasty patients feel the benefits of the procedure have greatly outweighed any concerns they may have had about residual scarring.
Dr Naveen also specializes in a “mini” form of abdominoplasty that offers the same type of muscle tightening, but results in a smaller scar. A “mini” tummy tuck is generally ideal for patients whose skin and muscle laxity is mostly below the belly button.
Mommy makeover
A typical makeover might include a combination of the following procedures:
• Tummy Tuck (full or mini abdominoplasty)
• Breast Enhancement (breast lift, breast augmentation with lift, or breast reduction)
• Liposuction of the legs, arms or trunk.