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Tummy Tuck |
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Tummy Tuck |
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Plastic Surgery – Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)
The “Tummy Tuck” surgery is designed for patients who have had significant weight loss such as women who have given birth, or bariatric surgery patients. This surgery is designed for removal of excess skin from the trunk and comes in several varieties.
Like all areas of plastic surgery, an excellent result can only be achieved after a clear understanding of common goals and realistic exceptions are reached with your plastic surgeon. After tummy tuck consultation by a qualified plastic surgeon, one of many types of abdominoplasty or tummy tuck techniques will be recommended. This process can be started through the Pre-Consultation process on this site.
The Different Types of Tummy Tucks (abdominoplasty)
Complete Tummy Tuck
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In general, a complete (or full) Tummy Tuck follows these steps:
1. An incision is made from hip to hip just above the pubic area.
2. Another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin.
3. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures.
4. The remaining skin and fat are tightened by removing the excess and closing the defect.
5. The old belly button stalk is brought out through a new hole and sutured into place.
6. Liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture.
7. A dressing and sometimes a compression garment are applied and any excess fluid from the site is drained.
Partial Tummy Tuck
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A partial (or mini) tummy tuck proceeds as follows:
1. A smaller incision is made.
2. The skin and fat of the lower abdomen are detached in a more limited fashion from the muscle fascia. The skin is stretched down and excess skin removed.
3. Sometimes the belly button stalk is divided from the muscle below and the belly button slid down lower on the abdominal wall.
4. Sometimes a portion of the abdominal muscle fascia wall is tightened.
5. Liposuction is often used to contour the transition zone.
6. The flap is stitched back into place.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck or Lower Body Lift
This surgery is designed for patients that have a general lower body laxity that cannot be corrected by an anterior (front) only approach.
1. A complete tummy tuck is designed and performed with incisions continued around the back to include the “love handles” the patient will have an incision running the entire circumference of the lower trunk and it will lay roughly on the outline of the pelvic rim when completed.
2. This procedure can also be modified to include a thigh lift in the procedure if indicated.
The consultation process can be rewarding or disappointing depending on your preparedness and expectations.
Step 1: Gain a clean understanding of your goals. Make a list of goals before meeting the surgeon in person. Tummy Tuck Pre-Consultation available on this website can help you formulate your goals in a non-threatening and anonymous fashion. Common questions to address are:
-Will this get rid of my stretch marks?
-What happens if I get pregnant again after the surgery?
-What happens if there is a complication? Who will help me? Will it cost extra?
-How much time should I plan to take off work?
-Will I need drains?
-How long until I can stand upright safely?
-How long until I can pick my child up again?
-Will I need liposuction too?
Step 2: Find a surgeon that you like. The most accepted measure of a plastic surgeon’s qualifications is making sure he or she is a board certified plastic surgeon. However, the importance of the plastic surgeon’s bedside manner cannot be understated. Obtaining plastic surgery is a journey that can lead to a vastly improved quality of life, higher self esteem, and improved self image. However, the journey relies on trust, understanding, and commitment between the surgeon and you, the patient. This trust and understanding of a common goal and realistic expectations can begin at SurgeonHouseCall.com during a Pre-Consultation, or it could begin in the office of a surgeon recommended by a trusted friend or doctor. Wherever it begins, it is of the highest importance that an excellent rapport be established prior to the first procedure.
Step 3: Getting the surgery. The plastic surgeon’s instructions must be followed to the letter in order to give the best chance of an excellent result and a safe surgery. This often involves smoking cessation, not eating the day of surgery, and avoiding medications and herbal supplements that may cause excessive bleeding. Also, arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery. Plan on taking at least three days off of work for an office based job to allow adequate pain control and relaxation.
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