TUMMY TUCK
Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)
Who is a candidate?
Both men and women with excess
abdominal fat and skin can
benefit from abdominoplasty,
often referred to as a “tummy
tuck.” Those desiring a
narrower waist and tighter
abdomen are good candidates
providing they are not smokers
or have poor circulation. Belly
overhang is the result of
pregnancy, weight fluctuation or
genetic predisposition.
Abdominoplasty is intended for
people of relatively normal
weight. It is not the
answer for a huge overhang of
skin. Those who intend to
lose significant weight should
postpone having a tummy tuck
until their weight is within a
satisfactory range.
How is it done?
A tummy tuck removes excess skin
and fat from the mid and lower
abdomen. An incision is
made near the pubic hairline
from hip to hip. It is
placed low enough to be
undetectable in bikini attire.
If necessary, sagging or
separated vertical muscles in
the abdomen are tightened with
permanent internal sutures.
Abdominal fat may be treated
with surgical excision at the
time of surgery. Skin and tissue
are pulled down over the
existing navel and excess skin
is removed. Abdominoplasty is
considered a major aesthetic
surgery and takes up to 5 hours.
Recuperation
The patient can expect to stay
overnight in the recovery
center. A support garment
will be worn and drainage tubes
will be placed to aid in
swelling, bruising and healing.
Recovery usually takes 7 to 10
days and work is typically
resumed within 2 weeks.
Stitches will be removed in 7 to
14 days. Scar maturation can
take up to twelve months.
Other Options
Liposuction.
Click here
for liposculpture.
Other
body lift procedures may be
performed in conjunction with
abdominoplasty including buttock
lift, or thigh lift.
A
word about financing…
Abdominoplasty can be made very
affordable through our partners
at Care Credit or MedChoice
Financial. Visit them at
www.drzoran.com/financing
Our patient coordinator will
be happy to answer any of your
questions or assist you with the
necessary paperwork.
Insurance Notes
Abdominoplasty is considered a
purely aesthetic procedure and
as such is not covered by
insurance.
Ask Dr. Potparic
Can I have an
abdominoplasty if I intend to
have children?
You can
have liposuction and/or a tummy
tuck prior to having children,
but if you get pregnant you will
likely lose the benefits you
have gained.
If I
exercise after having a baby,
won’t that get me back to a
pre-pregnancy shape?
It depends on your body.
Some women are fortunate to
resume near pre-pregnancy shape
while the majority of women
complain that they cannot return
to their “previous” body
proportions. While
exercise will help strengthen
the muscles stretched open
during pregnancy, it cannot
replace the effectiveness of
surgery for damaged or loose
skin.
I have
heard of a non surgical tummy
tuck. What is that?
A new form of light based energy
uses laser heat to tighten
excess skin. This does not
address even minor fat pockets
but can improve very mild
sagging.
My stomach
hangs over my pubic region ever
since I lost weight. Can a
tummy tuck pull this up and
tighten it?
What you are describing may
necessitate a procedure called
panniculectomy to reduce
significant skin and fat hanging
below the abs. This degree
of skin sag is often experienced
by those who were or are
morbidly obese. Gastric
bypass patients often need this
type of body contouring for
overall hygiene as well as
aesthetic considerations.
See
Bodylift