Abdominoplasty Guide: Everything You Need to Know About a Tummy Tuck
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Abdominoplasty Guide: Everything You Need to Know About a Tummy Tuck (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108 Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp Introduction The tummy. This particular part of the body always seems to be on everyone's mind—whether your stomach is growling for more food or you’re busting out 100 sit-ups to tone up your midsection. There are more than 140 million Google results for abdominal skin and more than 160 million for abdominal fat exercises. These results offer countless videos, such as 10-minute abs and articles claiming to teach you how to tighten loose skin with several tips. The queries nearly match the results, with approximately 14,800 searches per month for skin tightening and about 246,000 for ab workouts. This just goes to show how obsessed everyone is with their belly. It can become a special fixation when you try everything possible to get rid of excess skin or tighten your weakened muscles and nothing seems to work. This is when you may want to turn to plastic surgery, and more specifically, an abdominoplasty, which is also known as a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a medical surgery that involves removing excess skin and tissue from the abdominal area and tightening the abdominal muscles. The entire procedure reshapes the abdominal area to help patients achieve a flatter, and firmer stomach. A popular procedure for both men and women, with about 123,427 completed in 2019, the abdominoplasty is most often performed on those who have undergone dramatic weight loss or following a pregnancy. If you’re thinking about getting an abdominoplasty, it’s important to read as much information about it as possible before you even schedule a consultation. This can help you determine if the procedure is right for you and your body goals. To help patients understand everything they need to know about abdominoplasties, Buglino Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery has created a detailed guide. (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108, Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp CHAPTER 1: The Various Types of Abdominoplasties It’s crucial you discuss your goals with your plastic surgeon before the procedure, so the two of you can decide on the best approach. Your aspirations will determine the kind of abdominoplasty you’ll need. Tummy tucks come in four major types to address every patient’s unique needs. Standard Mini The standard abdominoplasty is the most The mini tummy tuck targets a smaller area common, and what patients often think about and is typically used on those who just can’t when they hear the words tummy tuck. Also seem to get rid of their belly pooch, no called a full tummy tuck, the procedure is best matter their diet or exercise regimen. The for patients who have excessive skin around procedure focuses on flattening the lower their midsections or weak abdominal muscles. abdomen. An incision is made between the The traditional abdominoplasty involves an hip bones, so the surgeon can tighten the incision between the hip bones and around the muscles and remove excess skin between the belly button. During the surgery, the surgeon mons pubis and belly button. The latter will tightens the abdominal muscles, pulls the skin not need to be repositioned, as it does in a down, and removes any excess. traditional tummy tuck. Extended Reverse An extended abdominoplasty is basically a Instead of targeting the lower abdomen, the standard tummy tuck, with an additional focus on reverse abdominoplasty addresses excess the hips and sides of the lower back. A horizontal skin on the upper abdomen. Incisions are incision is made across the lower abdomen and made along the lower breast fold and across around the hips. Your surgeon may also make a the lower sternum. vertical incision, depending on your needs. This procedure requires the repositioning of your belly button. (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108, Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp CHAPTER 2: Procedure Steps Before you make an appointment for tummy tuck surgery, you’ll need to schedule a consultation. During this, you’ll meet with your plastic surgeon to discuss your medical history, current health, and tummy goals. Your surgeon will recommend what type of abdominoplasty he or she thinks will work best for your body aspirations, and then you can set your surgery date. What exactly happens during the surgery? Sometimes patients are a bit apprehensive about the procedure, so it’s important to understand what it entails, to ease your nerves. In addition to this brief overview, your surgeon will review the necessary steps for your specific procedure during the consultation. They may vary, depending on your medical needs. (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108, Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp CHAPTER 2: Procedure Steps Generally, the procedure requires six basic steps: Anesthesia The type of anesthesia you receive—intravenous sedation or general anesthesia—will determine 1 where your procedure will take place. If you’re able to get intravenous sedation, your surgery can be performed in a medical office. However, if you need general anesthesia, it will demand an out-patient healthcare facility or hospital. Typically, a tummy tuck requires the use of general anesthesia, meaning it will also demand an anesthesiologist be on hand. This is administered before the start of the procedure, so you don’t experience discomfort. Incision 2Once you’re sedated, the surgeon will begin the procedure by making an incision. The type of tummy tuck being performed will determine its exact position. The incisions are discussed in Chapter 1. Typically, a full tummy tuck requires a horizontal incision between the pubic hairline and belly button. The length depends on the amount of excess skin to be removed. Sometimes, a second incision is made around the belly button. Muscle Tightening The type of anesthesia you receive—intravenous sedation or general anesthesia—will determine 3where your procedure will take place. If you’re able to get intravenous sedation, your surgery can be performed in a medical office. However, if you need general anesthesia, it will demand an out-patient healthcare facility or hospital. Typically, a tummy tuck requires the use of general anesthesia, meaning it will also demand an anesthesiologist be on hand. This is administered before the start of the procedure, so you don’t experience discomfort. Skin Removal After the muscles are tightened, the upper ab skin is pulled down and excess skin is trimmed off. 4The remaining skin is tightly attached at the incision site with sutures. Belly Button Repositioning The surgeon will create a new opening for your navel, pulling your belly button through it. 5 It’s then sutured into position. Incision Closure 6The surgeon will ensure your incision is closed with sutures, skin adhesives, tape, or clips. (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108, Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp CHAPTER 3: How Should You Prepare for a Tummy Tuck? Preparation begins a few weeks to months before your procedure, and often starts at the consultation. This appointment launches your abdominoplasty journey. During it, your surgeon will review your medical increase bleeding. He or she will also prescribe history, asking questions about current and past an anticoagulant to take prior, to prevent clotting. conditions, family history, previous surgeries, and current medications. Make your surgeon aware If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, your of any allergies. You’ll also discuss weight gain physician will want to see you’re able to maintain and loss if these are reasons you’re interested in stability for about 12 months before performing the procedure. Your doctor may also complete a a tummy tuck. This will ensure results won’t be physical exam and photograph your abdomen. compromised by potential weight changes. In the weeks leading up to your surgery, there You’ll need to make arrangements for a friend are several things you’ll have to do. Stop smoking or family member to drive you home from the about four to six weeks before. It can decrease surgical center and stay with you during your first blood flow, slow the healing process, and night home. Because you’ll experience limited increase risk of tissue damage. Your surgeon will movement and will have difficulty bending or also tell you to avoid certain medications, such standing, your loved one can help you around as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs, which the house. To learn what you should be eating before a tummy tuck, check out our blog: “The Best Diet Before & After a Tummy Tuck.” (516) 864-0700 | buglinoplasticsurgery.com 40 Crossways Park Drive, Suite 108, Woodbury, NY 11797 facebook instagram twitteryelp CHAPTER 4: What Recovery Will Be Like Recovery time is dependent on the type of abdominoplasty you have done. The more extensive the procedure, the longer the recovery period. For example, a standard tummy tuck takes about two weeks, while a mini requires only about one week. Other factors that affect recovery time include age, general health, and post-surgery care. Immediately after surgery, your plastic surgeon surgeon or type of tummy tuck, you will have will give you instructions on how to care for your some form of a scar across the lower abdomen. incisions, surgical dressings, and drains if any are However, an experienced surgeon can ensure it placed. They’ll also prescribe any necessary pain will be minimal, and hidden. Beauty site Byrdie medication and set up follow-up appointments delves into the types of scarring patients may to check in on your progress.