Tummy Tuck New Jersey
A Tummy Tuck or abdominoplasty
is a surgical procedure designed to flatten a protruding
abdomen by tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall
and removing excess fatty tissue and skin. Many patients
combine their tummy tuck with other cosmetic procedures
such as liposuction, breast augmentation or breast reduction
surgery.
Today abdominoplasty is a procedure usually considered
secondary or ancillary to liposuction. Liposuction alone
causes skin contraction, which may correct the entire problem
or will, at least reduce the extent of any subsequent skin
resection. Even though liposuction is the current body
contouring procedure of choice, abdominoplasty still has
its place, especially when there is too much skin to respond
favorably to liposuction alone.
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The most obvious area to benefit from this type of operation
is the abdomen of women that have been stretched significantly
with childbirth or patients who have lost large amounts
of weight (fifty pounds or more). The best candidate for
this surgery is a person with relatively normal weight,
weak muscles, excess skin and / or stretch marks.
A transverse incision is made across the lower abdomen
and the skin is lifted upward toward the rib cage, saving
the
belly button by freeing it from the skin. Then the abdomen
muscles and fascia (the covering of the muscles) are pulled
together and tightened.
The skin flap is then redraped across
these newly repaired muscles and the apron of excess skin
and fat is removed. Then the belly button is repositioned and
reshaped.
Finally the incisions are sutured closed and firm elastic
dressings are applied.
Sometimes a Mini-Abdominoplasty can be
performed. The best candidates for this procedure are women
who have
a
stretched out lower abdomen with a mild to moderate amount
of excess skin. In the procedure, the incision can be
limited in length (much like a cesarean section scar). Some women
seek this procedure to also improve the appearance of their
c-section scar.
Abdominoplasty is carried out using general
anesthesia. The procedure takes about three hours to be performed
and an overnight stay at the hospital is required for your
comfort. For the first few days your abdomen will be swollen
and you're likely to feel some discomfort, which can easily
be controlled with medication.
Physical activity will be limited
somewhat after the surgery, but with the support garment,
you are going to be able to increase your activity at a steady
pace. You'll be feeling better with each day passing. We
encourage
our patients to begin walking as soon as possible although
you must refrain from any strenuous activity or lifting.
The
scar will fade over time and is placed in areas where
it will be easily hidden by underwear or swimwear. Sutures
are
removed
in between 7-10 days and most patients are able to return
to their desk jobs after that. Patients are very satisfied
with
this type of procedure because results are quite dramatic
giving them a slimmer, trimmer figure, with a flatter abdomen.
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