Procedures » Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The abdomen can be a difficult area for a women who has developed the stretching effects of pregnancy or lost a significant amount of weight. Despite exercise, they just can’t seem to get their abdomen back to its pre-pregnancy appearance. Much of this is a result of the stretching of the abdominal muscles out to the side, and difficult to lose lower abdominal fat and excess skin.
Although liposuction can occasionally improve the contour of the abdomen, it usually does not address these muscles.
An abdominoplasty will help to redrape this skin more tightly across the lower abdomen as well as address the underlying loose fascia (tough tissue that covers the muscles). By applying an “internal corset” from placement of sutures, that hourglass shape can be recreated. Then, the belly button (umbilicus) is brought out through new hole in the tight skin. The resulting scar is from hip to hip, hidden in the panty line and a scar around the belly button.
The recovery time is usually around six weeks. Because of the tightness of the abdominal skin, you may be hunched over for one to two weeks, but this will resolve. Although you may feel well enough to resume normal work activites in two to three weeks, we ask that you refrain from any heavy lifting >10 lbs, for the entire six weeks.
Anesthesia – General Anesthesia. This typically requires an overnight stay in the hospital.
