Abdominoplasty, or a “tummy tuck,” is the most common procedure for flattening the stomach. The tummy tuck is helpful to women who have stretched muscles and skin after pregnancy, or for men and women who have lost a great deal of weight. It is also a great option for women who suffer from a genetic predisposition towards loose skin. This procedure removes excess skin from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The resulting scar is permanent, but can be hidden below the bikini line and will fade with time.
Visit our Tummy Tuck Before and After Photo Gallery to see pictures of actual patients.
If the area giving you the most trouble is below the belly button, you could qualify for a “mini tummy tuck,” or “mini abdominoplasty,” which tightens the skin between the pubic area and your navel. This is generally considered a less complex procedure and will take less time. It will also leave less scarring since the incisions will be much smaller.
While the main purpose of the tummy tuck is to tighten skin and muscles in the abdominal area, it can lead to a number of other options. For example, if you have strong abs that are hidden by skin and fat, you can get abdominal etching to sculpt and showcase your six-pack. After your abdominoplasty, you can also get a Panniculectomy, which removes skin and fat below the belly button and around to your lower back area. Or, if you’ve always been dissatisfied with the placement or shape of your belly button, this can be fixed during the tummy tuck procedure.
Dr. Accetta of Accetta Institute of Cosmetic Surgery performs a special procedure for tummy tucks, which is known as high lateral tension. Unlike the regular tummy tuck, which tightens the abdomen along the center, a high lateral tension tummy tuck focuses on the sides of the abdomen. This allows for a better contour and higher tension. However, because of the precision involved, the procedure time is slightly longer than a standard tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Your procedure will begin with the administration of anesthesia. Depending on what you and your surgeon previously agreed on, you will either be given general anesthesia or a local anesthesia with a sedative. Both types of anesthesia have their own pros and cons, but you can trust your surgeon to decide which one is best for you.
In total, a full abdominoplasty will take between two and five hours. Your procedure will begin with the surgeon making a long incision slightly above the pubic area. This incision runs from one hipbone to the other. An additional incision will also be made to free the navel from the tissue that surrounds it. Dr. Accetta will then separate the skin from your abdominal wall.
Once the skin is separated, a large flap of skin will be lifted to reveal your abdominal muscles. Your muscles will be pulled closer in order to tighten them, and then stitched into their new position, which will make them firmer and also make your waist smaller.
Next, the flap of skin is pulled down and any excess will be removed. A new hole will then be cut in your skin for your navel. The tummy tuck will end with your incisions being stitched, dressings applied to the incisions, and, in some cases, a tube will be inserted to temporarily help drain any extra fluid that accumulates around the site of the surgery.
If you are having a partial abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck, Dr. Accetta will also make an incision, shorter than that needed for a full tummy tuck, above the pubic area. The skin between the incision line and navel is then separated. After this, the skin flap is stretched down and, before being stitched back into place, the extra skin is removed. Your partial tummy tuck should be completed in one to two hours.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Your abdomen will probably be very sore and swollen for several days after your surgery. Dr. Accetta will prescribe medication to help keep any pain under control. While it won’t feel great, it’s important to start walking shortly after your procedure in order to avoid complications such as blood clotting.
You will be given directions about when you should change your dressings and how to handle activities such as showering. Any stitches on the surface of your skin will be removed by your physician within five to seven days, while deeper sutures will be removed after two to three weeks.
Recovering from a tummy tuck does take time. Some individuals are able to return to their job after two weeks of recovery, but for others it takes three to four weeks. As your scars begin to heal over the first three to six months, they may temporarily look worse than before. However, after nine months to one year, your scars will lighten in color, flatten out, and blend in fairly well with your skin.
After you have recovered from your surgery, it’s important to work on following a balanced diet and exercise plan. Dr. Accetta will recommend to you how long you need to wait before beginning to exercise. To the surprise of many, moderate exercise actually aids the healing process. Additionally, by taking the initiative to take care of yourself, you can ensure that the results you have gained from your tummy tuck will last for a very long time.
Contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Accetta of the Accetta Institute for Cosmetic Surgery in Orange County California to schedule your no obligation consultation and to learn more about tummy tuck and our other procedures.
