A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control however sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals.
Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include heredity, multiple pregnancies, prior surgery, significant fluctuations in weight or congenital spine abnormalities that affect posture.
If you desire a tighter, flatter abdomen, then a tummy tuck could be appropriate to help achieve your goals. A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in some cases, can restore weakened or separated muscles. This creates an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer, often enhancing your body image and confidence.
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What is a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure to correct a protruding or loose, sagging abdomen. Areas to be treated may include the center of the abdomen or may extend to the entire area between the lower rib cage and pubic bone, as well as to the sides and back.
Abdominal contouring can he performed using a variety of techniques. When localized fat is the cause, abdominal contour surgery may be performed using only liposuction techniques. When excess fat is combined with loose, sagging skin and tissue, a tummy tuck removes unwanted fat, tissues and skin by excision. Abdominal muscles that have weakened or separated, a condition called diastasis, can also be corrected with a tummy tuck.
 An incision just above the pubic area is used to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. |
 Skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs. |
 The surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue together and stitches them, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall. |
 Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is removed. With complete abdominoplasty, a new opening is cut for the navel. Both incisions are stitched closed. |
 After surgery, the patient has a flatter, trimmer abdomen. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time. |
A favorite among new moms as well as among men and women who have experienced significant weight loss, abdominoplasty is performed to create a tighter and more toned abdomen by eliminating loose skin and stubborn fat deposits in the abdominal region. The ultimate goal of this process is to tighten the abdominal muscle and the surrounding fascia. This process requires that a hip to hip incision be made just above the pubic area along with an additional incision in the mid-abdomen that is created to detach the belly button. The surgeon will then likewise detach the abdominal skin to reveal the fascia and muscles that must be tightened in order to create a flat stomach plain. Once the abdominal muscles and the surrounding fascia have been tightened, liposuction will be used to strategically sculpt the abdomen. Finally, the belly button is reconstructed and then a compression garment is applied to facilitate a rapid and desirable healing process.
This procedure is effective for eradicating stubborn pockets of fat and accumulations of excess skin in the abdominal region that diet and exercise do not impact. Abdominoplasty is relatively invasive, however, and will require a considerable amount of downtime for recovery. The average individual will need approximately one month to make a complete recovery and will need to avoid strenuous exercise for as many as six weeks after a tummy tuck has been performed. People who tend to be in good general health and who experience moderate weight stability are good candidates for this procedure.
Your tummy tuck
If it’s determined that a tummy tuck might be a good option for you, a individualized plan to your specific condition will be implemented that may include:
- Excess localized fat in the abdominal area
- Loose and sagging skin in the abdominal region
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles clue to pregnancy, weight loss or aging
One or all of these conditions may he present and can be surgically improved by a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are primarily located on the areas of excess skin, generally those treated areas below the belly button.
Surgical removal of excess fat and skin may he combined with liposuction during a tummy tuck. There are variations to tummy tuck surgery; the technique selected is dependant on the degree of correction necessary to achieve a flatter profile and
firmer abdomen. Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as personal preference and surgical judgment.
Liposuction may be used in conjunction with a tummy tuck or to recontour other areas of the body by removing localized excess fat deposits. Other body contouring procedures may be performed separately or in the same surgical session as a tummy tuck. However, not all patients are good candidates for combined procedures. Your case will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Tummy Tuck Consultation in the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Savannah GA Region
A consultation with your plastic surgeon is the first step to learn not only if a tummy tuck might be right for you, but also how abdominal contour surgery or a tummy tuck can improve your body image and abdominal contour. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about tummy tuck in a non-pressured environment, and will include:
- Discussion of your goals and evaluation of your individual case
- Options available in tummy tuck surgery
- Likely outcomes of tummy tuck and risks/potential complications
- The course of treatment recommended by your plastic surgeon
If you are interested in receiving additional information or setting up an initial tummy tuck consultation, please contact Weniger Plastic Surgery’s main office at (843) 757-0123.
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