What Is a Tummy Tuck?
The tummy tuck procedure is also referred to as ‘abdominoplasty’ and is aimed at eliminating excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. In the majority of cases, a tummy tuck also helps in restoring disjointed or weakened muscles and creates a firmer and smoother abdominal profile.
Who Needs a Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills?
Most people wish to flaunt a well-toned stomach and may employ extreme diet and exercise regimes to achieve this goal. But stubborn fat sometimes fails to respond to any form of exercise or diet. In such cases, a tummy tuck works as the perfect solution. Even if you are at a normal weight and have a proportionate body structure, it is possible that your stomach is loose/sagging or protrudes out. An abdominoplasty works in such cases as well.
Some of the common reasons why people struggle with excess skin and fat or loose skin around their abdomen include the following:
- Heredity
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Major weight fluctuations
Candidates for a Tummy Tuck
All individuals (males and females) who enjoy good general health can consider an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery. The procedure is common among women who’ve experienced multiple pregnancies and ended up with loose and sagging skin around the stomach. The abdominoplasty surgery helps in tightening the muscles and removing extra skin from their stomach. The result is a firmer, smoother and more toned abdomen.
The tummy tuck procedure may also be considered by those people who were earlier overweight and hence have loose skin and/or fat deposits around the abdomen.
Types of Abdominoplasty
Complete/Full Abdominoplasty
In the traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon will make an incision in the area around your navel (besides the incision in the lower abdominal area). The procedure typically involves the removal of excess skin, the tightening of abdominal muscles, and liposuction for reshaping the abdomen. In a complete abdominoplasty, skin is removed from the area above your navel, all the way down to your pubic area. It is generally performed in cases of multiple pregnancies, extreme obesity or genetic laxity.
Mini/Partial Abdominoplasty
A mini-abdominoplasty is usually recommended for those who have fat deposits located underneath the navel. This procedure will not likely require a repositioning of the belly button and takes just about 2 hours to be completed (time may vary slightly, depending on each individual case). In a mini-abdominoplasty, the surgeon will make just one incision in the patient’s pubic area.
Your Initial Consultation and Preparation
For each tummy tuck candidate, Dr. Feldmar schedules an initial consultation to discuss important details such as the specific surgical goals, current health status and medical conditions, treatments and drug allergies, earlier surgeries, and lifestyle habits such as alcohol and tobacco use.
The initial consultation will also include an evaluation of your overall health status, risk factors, and pre-existing medical conditions. This will help the doctor assess your options for the best surgery results.
Tummy tuck procedures are usually scheduled to be executed in accredited surgical facilities, hospitals or licensed ambulatory surgery centers. The procedure could go on for anywhere between 1 to 5 hours, depending on each individual case. A patient may also need to plan for an overnight stay at the surgical facility or hospital.
A tummy tuck is typically performed under the effect of general anesthesia so that no pain is felt during the surgery.
Recovery
After the tummy tuck procedure is completed, your surgeon may apply bandages or dressings to the incisions in order to aid recovery. A special compression garment or elastic bandage may also be prescribed for wrapping around the operated area. This will help in minimizing swelling while also supporting the abdomen which is healing after surgery.
To support recovery from a breast lift surgery, the surgeon will apply bandages or dressings to your incisions once the surgery is concluded. Most patients are advised to adorn a support bra or an elasticated bandage for reducing swelling. This also helps in supporting the breasts during the healing process.
The recovery procedure generally involves the temporary placement of thin, small tubes underneath the skin for draining any extra fluid or blood that might be accumulated. You would need to take note of the specific instructions given by your surgeon with regards to caring for the surgical site as well as the drains. Medicines may be prescribed to support recovery as well.
Dr. Feldmar recommends that patients should slowly get back to their normal routine rather than rushing into it at once. It is important to note that the recovery time for complete abdominoplasty is usually longer as compared to that of mini abdominoplasty.
What Is a Tummy Tuck Revision?
A tummy tuck revision is designed to correct and improve the appearance of the abdomen following complications and unwanted side effects from a previous tummy tuck. Depending on the degree of correction required, this procedure can consist of various types of surgery. If you are unhappy with your previous tummy tuck and are looking for among the best tummy tuck repair in Beverly Hills, premier plastic surgeon Dr. Feldmar is ready to assist. You’ll finally be able to enjoy a tighter, flatter, more attractive stomach.
Is a tummy tuck revision right for me?
A tummy tuck revision with Dr. Feldmar can correct virtually any unwanted effects created by a previous body contouring procedure. To give you a more detailed explanation, a list is provided below with a brief description of possible complications following a tummy tuck.
Excess fat – Excess fat after a tummy tuck often occurs when insufficient or no liposuction was performed during your procedure. This is the easiest complication to correct since liposuction of the abdomen is easily performed.
A poor quality scar – This may occur when the scar does not heal properly, usually due to inadequate closing techniques from a previous surgeon. Depending on the scar and the surrounding laxity of the skin surrounding the closed incision, a variety of methods can be employed to correct this unwanted blemish.
A scar located too high – When a previous procedure was poorly planned, it often results in over-excision of abdominal skin. This, in turn, creates a scar that is visible above the waistband of pants or a bathing suit. Too much residual skin – Conversely, a surgeon may be too conservative and leave an excess of abdominal skin. While the result is likely an improvement upon the original contours, this will leave a patient dissatisfied with his or her abdominal appearance.
An unattractive belly button – A belly button that has a poor shape or a visible scar or is otherwise unattractive should be corrected. While the rest of a patient’s stomach may appear lean and fit, this is virtually nullified if the belly button is disfigured in some way.
Pseudobursa – This occurs when two layers of scar tissue become separated by fluid and is often noticeable as a bulge or fullness above the horizontal incision of the tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Repair Consultation
If you are considering a tummy tuck revision, your next step is a private consultation with Dr. Feldmar. During this time, Dr. Feldmar will carefully listen to your personal goals for cosmetic improvement, ensuring he understands your exact desires. He will then examine your previous surgery and determine the exact cause of your dissatisfaction. In this way, he establishes his professional opinion regarding the best treatment options.
During your tummy tuck repair consultation, Dr. Feldmar educates you every step of the way. He makes you an intimate part of the process, and the two of you work as a team to determine the best course of treatment. With Dr. Feldmar, plastic surgery is a collaborative effort, and he will not move forward with surgery until the two of you are in perfect harmony. Dr. Feldmar and his incredible staff are eager to provide you with among the best tummy tuck revision Scottsdale has available.
Tummy Tuck Revision Recovery
As a tummy tuck revision often is a highly individualized procedure tailored to your unique body type, the recovery period will depend on factors such as the length of the incisions, the degree of correction, your age, and your general health and fitness. During your recovery period, you will be expected to adhere to several guidelines. These guidelines not only ensure the highest level of comfort, but they also help give you the best aesthetic outcome.
Abdominoplasty Revision Aftercare
A tummy tuck revision is performed as outpatient surgery, and patients go home shortly after the procedure. However, depending on several factors such as the complexity of the procedure, the availability of a caregiver at home or your personal preference-some patients decide to take advantage of a nearby aftercare facility. This helps ensure your personal attention and needs are looked after by Dr. Feldmar and his highly trained staff. In the interest of delivering among the best tummy tuck revisions Beverly Hills has to offer, Dr. Feldmar looks after every aspect of your recovery process.
It is incredibly important to select a plastic surgeon who fully understands what it is you’re hoping to achieve through cosmetic surgery.
