Tummy Tuck
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An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgical procedures in both women and men. This operation gives you a new tummy at the expense of a fine-line scar that is hidden beneath your underwear or bikini. Loose, sagging skin and excess fat are removed in order to create a tighter, thinner abdomen. Stretch marks resulting from pregnancy or prior obesity are also removed while the weakened muscles underneath are tightened to help flatten the abdomen and taper the waistline. If you have loose or extra skin on your abdomen, a tummy tuck may be the procedure for you.
Am I good candidate for a tummy tuck?
The best candidates for an abdominoplasty are those that have stretched out, loose tummy skin and localized excess abdominal fat resistant to diet and exercise. Most commonly, women after pregnancy find themselves unable to retighten their abdominal skin despite aggressive exercise. Additionally, their abdominal muscles have been stretched out and separated at the midline. Like the skin, this muscle laxity is often unaffected by exercise. An abdominoplasty directly addresses these problems by tightening the muscles and removing excess skin and fat to tighten and thin your abdominal contour. People who have lost significant weight are also excellent candidates for a tummy tuck. Similar to women after child-bearing, weight loss patients have extra, loose skin and lax muscles which are treatable with an abdominoplasty. Some people are good candidates for a tummy tuck despite not falling into the above categories of either significant weight loss or post-pregnancy. Excess fat and skin on the abdomen may be managed successfully with a tummy-tuck in many selective cases. The best way to determine if the procedure will work for you is to have a consultation with Dr. Wolfe or Dr. Vath at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Golden, Colorado.
What kinds of tummy tucks are there?
The traditional or full abdominoplasty is the best procedure for most patients undergoing a tummy tuck. This entails removing all or most of the skin and fat between the pubic hair and belly button. The muscles are tightened on the inside and skin is sewn together to tighten and contour the abdominal profile. The full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen, tightening the upper and lower abdomen as well as tapering the waistline. The scar extends from hip to hip, concealed beneath your underwear or bikini line. The length of the scar varies from patient to patient depending upon the degree of excess skin and fat on the sides of your waist.
A mini-tummy tuck is a smaller abdominoplasty. A small percentage of patients are good candidates for this procedure, as it does not address the abdomen above the belly button, but reduces localized skin and fatty excess in the lower abdomen only.
What is a mini-tummy tuck? Am I a candidate for one?
A mini-tummy tuck is a smaller abdominoplasty where the incision and resulting scar is generally shorter and the lower abdomen is addressed alone. In a mini-tummy tuck, a low incision is made between the hips and extra skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen below the belly button. The upper abdominal skin and muscles are left alone. The ideal candidate for this procedure is someone who has localized skin laxity and fatty excess below the belly button with a tight upper abdomen and musculature.
What happens to my stretch marks?
Generally, most stretch marks are removed by a tummy tuck. Some originating on the upper abdomen may still remain after the procedure, but are moved down to a lower position.
What happens to my C-section or hysterectomy scar?
Any low, transverse scar from another procedure such as a C-section or hysterectomy will be removed during a tummy tuck.
Can I have other procedures at the same time as a tummy tuck?
With healthy patient selection, a properly qualified plastic surgeon, and an appropriately credentialed operating room facility, multiple procedures can be performed safely. Most commonly, liposuction is done in conjunction with a tummy tuck in the flanks (love handles), hips, outer thighs (saddlebags), inner thighs, and back. New, power-assisted liposuction (PAL) has improved our abilities to perform body sculpting with greater ease, safety, and precision. Often, liposuction assists in contouring the waists and hips during an abdominoplasty, giving you the best possible result from your tummy tuck.
Breast surgery, including breast augmentation, lifting or reduction, can be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck in carefully selected situation. Similarly, facial surgery may be considered at the same setting in the appropriate patients.
Will smoking affect my recovery?
Smoking adversely affects wound healing. The small vessels that supply blood to the tissues shrink up and prevent the necessary nutrients for healing to get to the wound. The incidence of having a wound complication such as an open wound or skin death is much higher in smokers. Furthermore, the rate of wound infection is also significantly increased in smokers for the same reason of limited blood flow. Because of this, a patient must stop smoking for a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of these complications.
What is the scarring involved?
The scar can be tailored to your desire based upon the type of clothing you prefer. Generally, the scar is kept low in the midline within the pubic hair. It gently courses up towards the hips, staying within the skin usually hidden beneath a bikini or underwear. The length of the scar will ultimately depend upon you specific needs and anatomy. The more excess skin and fat on your sides, the longer the necessary scar in order to achieve a smooth, tapered contour to your waist. However, the position of the scar is always planned so as to remain hidden. Most patients find the scar a very acceptable trade-off for getting rid of many unattractive stretch marks and excess, loose skin. The scar is initially firm and red, but over several months will fade and smoothen to become a fine white line.
Will I need drains?
Yes, you will have two plastic drainage tubes that will exit the skin below the incision. These drains are essential in allowing for an unimpeded healing process. They remove fluid that the body continuously makes, preventing it from collecting between the skin and the muscle where healing must occur. The drains are generally removed after one week, but sometimes need to stay in longer depending on the amount of fluid being evacuated.
Where is the surgery performed?
The procedure is performed at the Denver West Surgery Center in Golden, Colorado. This is an accredited surgical center providing the safest operating environment with extremely low infection rates.
What kind of anesthesia is administered?
General anesthesia is the preferred method of achieving adequate sedation and pain control. You will be entirely asleep for the duration of the procedure and awaken in recovery before you know it. Board-Certified anesthesiologists deliver the anesthesia and care for you before, during, and after surgery so that you have a comfortable and safe experience.
What is the recovery period for a tummy tuck?
Usually, you will be able to go home the day of surgery and recover in your own bed. You will have some discomfort and tightness in your abdomen for which you will receive adequate pain medication. The first few days, you will relax in a somewhat flexed position at the hips and, gradually, you loosen up and become more comfortable. An elastic compression garment is worn around the clock for two weeks followed by another two weeks of usage during activity. You will be walking the day of surgery and getting around well enough within one week to return to non-strenuous work activities. After three weeks, low-impact exercise is permissible followed by unrestricted activity at six weeks.
The Center for Cosmetic Surgery has two offices conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area. One is located just outside of Denver in lovely Golden, Colorado immediately off of I-70 and the other is located downtown in Cherry Creek, Denver. Please schedule a free personal consultation to learn what a tummy tuck can do for you. Simply call 1.877.255.2600 or request your free consultation online.
