The tummy tuck will flatten the abdomen, the excess, loose skin will be gone and the muscles will retain their flattened look.
What happens during the first consultation?
The first consultation allows you to meet with your plastic surgeon and staff to discuss your needs and concerns. You will learn about your surgery, the risks and complications, recovery time and look at before and after pictures. Your discussion with your plastic surgeon covers all aspects of the surgery and you discuss with him your expectations of the surgery. Your surgeon will be able to examine your body and talk about the procedures necessary to meet your expectations.
Your plastic surgeon will individualize your treatment plan with you and discuss with you what type of abdominoplasty will give you your best results (ie. mini-abdominoplasty vs. full abdominoplasty vs. extended abdominoplasty). You will have before pictures taken, which allows the physician to plan your surgery and also allows computer imaging to be done and viewed at a later date. After meeting with your plastic surgeon you will have the opportunity to meet with the nurse and review pre operative and postoperative care necessary for the surgery. Your plastic surgeon's assistant will discuss fees and schedule your surgery at a time convenient to both schedules.
How is it done?
The surgery is done under general anesthesia and usually takes between three and fours hours. Before you are put under anesthesia your plastic surgeon will have you stand and your incision line will be marked. The incision is a very long one and goes from hip to hip or longer in some cases. Once you are asleep, your skin is prepped and your are positioned for surgery. The incision is made and the skin is lifted up from the abdominal wall, all the way up to the xyphoid process. The umbilicus is released from its position in the skin and stays attached to the abdominal wall. The muscles are then tightened and the skin re-draped over the abdomen. The umbilicus is marked for a new position and the excess skin is removed. The skin is sutured in place with a combination of absorbable and non-absorbable sutures.
Two drains are placed under the incision that will remain for a week to ten days. These drains will remove the normal healing fluid that the body produces when it has had surgery. Your plastic surgeon use a pain pump that is inserted at the end of the procedure to significantly reduce the post-operative pain after the procedure. After the incisions are closed and dressing placed over your incision, you will be positioned in your bed slightly flexed and bent in the middle. For the next one to two weeks you will walk slightly stooped over, or lay in bed flexed bent in the middle. You will spend one night in the hospital and be released to limited activity.
What can I expect after surgery?
Plan on 2-3 weeks to full recovery. The first ten days you are stooped over and walking carefully. As the skin stretches and gets used to its new position you slowly straighten up. The drains may be removed within 10 days, this depends on the 24-hour output. While the drains are in you are draining and recording the amount twice daily. Wound care around the drain sites and incisions is easy and you will be taught how to care for these areas before you leave the hospital. While at home you will have medications for pain and prevention of infection. You will take these as directed. The pain medication will be taken as you need it for pain and the antibiotic will be taken as directed until all medication is gone. You will also wear a compression garment or binder for two weeks day and night and then during the night for the next two weeks. You may wear your compression garment day and night for the next two weeks to add support to your new tummy.
How many visits do I have after surgery?
You will return several times over the next few weeks. You will return to have the drains removed in 7-10 days. Your plastic surgeon and your nurse will see you weekly for the first month and then will extend time between visits as you progress.
Am I a good candidate?
Your visit with your surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate. If you are in good physical and mental health with reasonable expectations you should be an appropriate candidate.
What does the surgery cost?
You will be quoted a price to include the surgeon's, hospital, and anesthesia fees.
Are there scars?
Yes. Whenever surgery is performed on your body a scar will result.
If you are a candidate for a mini-abdominoplasty your scar can be limited to the width of your pubic hair. For more severe laxity, the standard abdominoplasty incision extends at least from hip to hip, right over your pubis area. This leaves a long scar that usually heals very well but is always present. It will take at least a year for the scar to mature and fade from pink-red to pale. It is usually not visible in your swimsuit or underwear. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the placement of your incisions during your first visit. your plastic surgeon continues to use the latest techniques to minimize scarring and make your existing scar look as best as possible. Starting 1 week after surgery your plastic surgeon will begin your post-operative scar therapy to make your optimize the appearance of the scar.
Does it hurt?
You will have some discomfort following surgery. Your plastic surgeon uses a small pain pump for all tummy-tuck procedures and this significantly decreases the pain post-procedure. This is the best pain relief for this initial time. When you are discharged you will be given prescriptions for pain medication tablets. This medication controls your discomfort very well and should be taken as ordered.
Will I be awake during surgery?
Your surgery is best done under general anesthesia for control of pain and nausea if they develop post surgery. You will be entirely asleep for your surgery.
Where is the surgery performed?
The surgery is performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.
Are medical photographs taken?
Photographs are taken at your first visit for your plastic surgeon and then after surgery. Medical photographs are essential to help your plastic surgeon better assess your body's contours, to assist in planning your surgery.
What medications should I avoid?
You should avoid or be off all diet or over the counter weight medications. The only homeopathic medications are those recommended by your plastic surgeon. It is especially important to be off St. John's Wort and Ginseng, which can cause adverse effects during anesthesia. Please stop taking all aspirin-like products, Advil, and ibuprofen as these medications can cause bleeding problems. Please tell your plastic surgeon what medications you are on ( prescription or non-prescription) to ensure the safety of any surgery. For more information about having a tummy tuck contact your plastic surgeon.
Author Resource:-
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Dallas, Texas and plastic surgery procedures such as dallas tummytuck, rhytidectomy, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, and liposuction.
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