A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgery that helps many people to achieve their health and cosmetic goals. For individuals who have had children or who have achieved significant weight loss and are still struggling with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, a tummy tuck procedure can be life-changing. This procedure can help to resolve many issues from weak abdominals to incontinence and it can also be used to improve the appearance of the abdominal area.
At Feldmar Aesthetics, we help many patients to achieve a flat and smooth abdomen with our abdominoplasties. We would love to have a consultation with you to determine if this is the right surgery for you.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a surgery that is performed on the abdominal area to help remove excess skin and to restructure the abdominal muscles. Any person who is unhappy with the appearance of their abdominal area and who struggles with toning and flattening the area even with a healthy lifestyle could be a good candidate for the surgery. This is a major procedure that can achieve drastic results for those who undergo the surgery.
A tummy tuck procedure involves making a large incision on the abdomen, stitching the abdominal muscles together to tighten them, removing excess skin, and removing excess fat if the procedure is an abdominoplasty with liposuction. There are two types of abdominoplasty surgery, a full abdominoplasty, and a mini abdominoplasty.
How Is a Full Abdominoplasty Surgery Performed?
A full abdominoplasty is a procedure that is performed on the entire abdomen and involves an incision around the belly button as well as an incision on the lower abdomen. To begin the surgery, you will be put under anesthesia. The type of anesthesia will depend on what you and your doctor decide during the consultation.
Once you are under anesthesia, your surgeon will make a large incision near the bikini line. This incision is made in an area that can easily be hidden by clothing. Next, the incision is made around the belly button. With these two incisions, the surgeon is able to access the abdominal muscles to help tighten and strengthen them. Liposuction can also be performed during this process if you have excess fat in your stomach area.
To remove excess skin, the skin is pulled down, flattened, and reshaped, and the excess is removed from the bottom. In most cases, a new hole will need to be made for the belly button. Then your surgeon will close the incisions and your procedure will be complete.
How Is a Mini Abdominoplasty Performed?
A mini abdominoplasty can be an ideal procedure for individuals who are only unhappy with their lower abdominal area. During this procedure, the same incision is made just above the pelvic area, but the belly button is left untouched. The surgeon will suture the lower abdominal muscles together to help give you a firmer and flatter shape. Fat can be liposuctioned from the area and excess skin that can be pulled below the incision area is removed.
Can Abdominoplasties Be Performed If You Have Had a C-Section?
Yes, tummy tuck surgery can be performed after you have had a c-section. Abdominoplasty scars are in the same area as a c-section scar but tend to be longer and do not go through as many layers of tissue. In many cases, your surgeon can remove the c-section scar with the new incision. While longer, tummy tuck scars can often be less noticeable than a c-section scar. The specifics of your surgery will be determined after a consultation with your surgeon.
What to Expect From Recovery and Results
As part of your full or mini abdominoplasty, two small incisions may be made to allow for the placement of drainage tubes to help drain fluid from the abdomen. These may be in place for the first week or longer. You may also be instructed to wear a compression garment. You can expect some soreness, but this can be managed by medication. You may also have swelling and bruising which will fade in the weeks after surgery.
You should be ready for your tummy tuck before and after photos after two or three months. It can take some time for the swelling to go down and for the area to heal and flatten. Results can improve over the following months. Your surgery scar will be more obvious at first, but you can expect it to fade over time.
How Soon Can You Return to Work and Other Activities?
For the first two weeks after surgery, you should rest and take care of your body. When your doctor recommends it, you can begin light activities after the two-week mark. Many people are also able to return to work after this time if their job is not strenuous. Recovery time can differ from person to person so be sure to always follow the recommendations and instructions of your doctor before beginning any activities.
Scheduling Your Abdominoplasty Procedure in Beverly Hills, CA
If you are unhappy with the loose skin, stubborn fat, and weak muscles of your abdominal area, you are in good health, and you are not pregnant or nursing, a tummy tuck surgery may be right for you. At Feldmar Aesthetics, we provide quality care before, during, and after your surgery. We also offer luxurious aftercare where you can recover with the help of an around-the-clock nurse. If you are ready to discuss tummy tuck surgery with us, call us or fill out an online form today.