Tummy Tuck (Abdominopasty)
The abdomen often fails to return to its original shape after it has been stretched by pregnancy or weight gain.
Once stretched beyond the capacity to return to normal, these tissues will also fail to respond to exercise and diet programs. In these cases, abdominoplasty can provide a long-lasting solution.
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, is a frequently performed procedure used to tighten overly stretched abdominal muscles and skin for a smoother, flatter appearance.
The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by women with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss.
Procedures
Tummy tuck operations vary in scope and are frequently subdivided into categories. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a complete tummy tuck can take 1 to 5 hours. A partial abdominoplasty (Mini-Tuck Tummy Tuck) can be completed between 1 to 2 hours.
Complete Tummy Tuck
A complete (or full) tummy tuck involves:
- An incision is made from hip to hip just above the pubic area.
- Another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin.
- 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.
- The remaining skin and fat are tightened by removing the excess and closing the defect.
- The old belly button stalk is brought out through a new hole and sutured into place.
- Liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture.
- A dressing and sometime a compression garment are applied and any excess fluid from the site is drained.
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Partial Tummy Tuck
A partial (or mini) tummy tuck involves:
- A smaller incision is made.
- 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.
- Sometimes the belly button stalk is divided from the muscle below and the belly button slid down lower on the abdominal wall.
- Sometimes a portion of the abdominal muscle fascia wall is tightened.
- Liposuction is often used to contour the transition zone.
- The flap is stitched back into place.
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Recovery
It depends on the problem to be treated, surgical technique(s) and other factors. It can take one to four weeks, and patients are advised to take at least a portion of this recovery time off from work. Heavy activity especially is best avoided during this time. A supportive abdominal binder or compression garment can minimize swelling / bruising, and support the repaired tissues.
Additional Resources:
For more information, a phone consultation or to setup an appointment, please contact our Patient Care Coordinator, Beverly Brown-Osborn by email or by calling 972-239-6317 x134. |
