Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty/Panniculectomy)

Abdominoplasty, more commonly referred to as a Tummy Tuck is a procedure, which removes extra skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the over stretched muscles. Excessive laxity of the abdominal skin and muscles is generally due to multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss in overweight people. While exercising is effective in toning muscles in mild cases, it is not capable of reversing sagging skin nor is it capable of tightening loose abdominal muscles. Rolls of abdominal skin, which may extend down into the pubic area are called Panniculus or Pannus. Removal of abdominal or pubic area pannus without tightening of the abdominal muscles is referred to as abdominal or pubic panniculectomy. When tightening of the muscles is also included the procedure becomes an Abdominoplasty.

Conventional Abdominoplasty tightens muscles in a vertical line. I prefer the new method known as High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty, which in addition to vertical-line tightening, muscles are also tightened horizontally. Final result with this technique is a dramatically flat abdomen with significantly better-defined waistline.

Since tummy tuck is a skin tailoring and trimming operation, an abdominal scar is to be expected. Incision is placed very low in the abdomen so the scar is less conspicuous. In some patients the hair bearing pubic area is stretched beyond its normal height. In these cases, pubic area excision or panniculectomy is performed which not only tightens and lifts the pubic area but also reduces the height of the hair-bearing region. After the skin is trimmed a new opening is made in the tightly pulled skin for the relocation of the umbilicus. In reality, the operation does not create a new belly button, it is the patient's own umbilicus which appears through a new opening. Prior to the final skin tightening, the loose and stretched abdominal muscles are sewn together in the vertical and horizontal plane. All suturing is done under the skin surface with absorbable sutures therefore; there is no need for stitch removal. Patients who have excessive amount of fat under the skin may also require liposuction and body sculpting of the abdomen.

Most dramatic effects in the waistline are seen in patients who in addition to abdominoplasty undergo liposuctioning of the abdomen, flanks, hip rolls, and lower back.

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and requires a recovery time of 10 to 15 days. Patients are advised to stay away from anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin, Advil, Ibuprophen and Motrin, starting 2 weeks prior to surgery and continue avoiding such medications 10 days post-operatively. Abdominal exercises should be avoided for the period of 6 to 8 weeks. This is to avoid undue tension on the tightened muscles until healing is completed.

Patients who undergo Abdominoplasty not only look better but also feel better about their appearance. Once again shopping for outfits become enjoyable. Quite often patients are so motivated to maintain the newly contoured shape that changing their eating and exercising habits become part of their new lifestyles.

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