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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) NJ

What to Expect from Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) NJIf diet changes and exercise haven’t given you that flat stomach you’ve tried so hard for, an abdominoplasty may be right for you. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen area while tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. The result is a flatter and taut abdomen. An abdominoplasty is different from liposuction, though some patients choose to have both procedures.

You may be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck if you have a had several pregnancies and want to tighten the abdominal muscles, or if you have hanging skin or excess deposits of fat near the stomach. If you plan to get pregnant or lose a lot of weight, a tummy tuck is not for you but could be later. This procedure should not be viewed as a substitute for weight loss.

In preparing for a tummy tuck, you will consult with your doctor to determine if you need a complete abdominoplasty or a partial abdominoplasty. A complete abdominoplasty includes incisions from hipbone to hipbone after which the surgeon will contour the muscle, skin, and tissue to fit the desired result. This procedure will move your belly button, which will require tubes for drainage for a few days post surgery. A partial abdominoplasty is specifically for patients who have fat deposits below the navel. This option does not move the belly button and as a result takes less time complete.

A tummy tuck will take between one to five hours and may require an overnight hospital stay. General anesthesia will be used during the surgery. After the surgery, it is normal to have pain, swelling, fatigue, or bruising for a few days to a few weeks. Soreness may occur for up to a couple of months after. Complications are rare, but can include blood clots, infection, or bleeding beneath the skin flap. You are more likely to experience problems if you have liver, lung, or heart disease or poor circulation. A tummy tuck procedure will naturally leave scars. These may fade over time but will never fully disappear. Your surgeon will recommend medications for pain and ointment for scarring.

We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your goals and concerns. Please click here to view before and after images of a tummy tuck procedure. And for more information about the benefits of tummy tuck, contact Dr. Lalla today at 973-324-9455.

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Tummy Tuck Surgery: How to Prepare

Are the sit-ups you’ve been doing continuously, along with a sensible diet, just not giving you those great abs you’ve been working for? It could be that extra skin isn’t going anywhere. If you feel like you’ve exhausted all other measures, it may be time to think about an abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck.)

Abdominoplasty is a procedure used to remove extra skin and fat from your abdomen, resulting in a flatter tighter appearance in the stomach area. A tummy tuck is serious surgery, so if you’re thinking about doing it, consider the following ways for you to achieve the best recovery:

Prepare your home. Start by cleaning your house. Your recovery will be less stressful if you come home to a place that is already in order, as housecleaning is out of the questions for at least the first week post-surgery. Also, be sure to stock your recovery area with plenty of ice packs, loose clothing, a telephone within reach and a bathroom chair with detachable shower head.

Stop smoking. If you smoke you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks before surgery, as smoking can up the risk of complications and slow the healing process.

Go shopping. Prepare and freeze meals ahead of time, and stock up on frozen dinners, Jell-O, pudding and other ready-to-eat foods.

Change your sheets. There’s nothing like the feeling of slipping into some clean sheets when you return home. While you’re at it, make sure you’re caught up on your laundry, as well.

Get medications beforehand. Your pain relievers, prescriptions, bandages and compression garments should be at the ready as soon as you begin recovery. Make sure to have them on hand ahead of time.

Arrange for a ride home. You will not be in any condition to drive yourself home, so arrange for someone to take you. You’ll also need to have someone stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery to help you get to the bathroom, bring you food and take care of your general comfort.

Get help for kids and pets. To resist the urge to take on more than you should, have a friend or family member take care of your kids (and your pets) for the first few days after surgery.

Rest! Perhaps the most important thing you can do is relax. As each day passes, you will heal more and more. Keep your eye on the prize – you’re going to look fantastic when the recovery time is over. Patience is a virtue.

Please click here to view before and after images of a tummy tuck procedure. For more information about the benefits of abdominoplasty, contact Dr. Lalla today at 973-324-9455.

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Relieving Lower Back Pain With Abdominoplasty

Do you experience chronic lower back pain? Has conservative physical therapy been ineffective in relieving your pain? It may be time to consider a different approach. While it might come as a surprise, abdominoplasty (or a tummy tuck) is becoming increasingly recognized as an effective treatment in select patients who experience continued lower back pain. No longer is a tummy tuck strictly a cosmetic procedure; it’s also a functional one.

Why Abdominoplasty is an Effective Treatment
Recent studies have found that a tummy tuck procedure actually works to stabilize your spine by tightening your lateral abdominal muscles, thus increasing the pressure inside your abdomen. Abdominoplasty also helps your abdominal muscles become more efficient in stabilizing your spine.

How Does Abdominoplasty Treat Back Pain?
A tummy tuck tightens the sheet of connective tissue beneath your skin that attaches muscles and other internal organs (also known as the fascia.) When the fascia is tightened, you essentially gain a permanent back brace, sort of like an “internal corset”. This effect helps to improve your posture and alleviate back pain after the surgical procedure.

Recent Findings
In a study presented by Toranto, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who was the first to promote abdominoplasty as a tool to alleviate lower back pain, 24 of 25 patients who were treated for pain via a tummy tuck reported pain relief when he focused on their abdomen instead of their back. And in a recent study of eight female patients with long-lasting back pain, abdominoplasty was just what they needed to alleviate their prolonged back pain.

While these studies involved a small group, the fact that they all experience long-term relief from their back pain via abdominoplasty should not be discounted. In fact, a tummy tuck should be considered a viable option for patients who have weak lower abdominal muscles and chronic lower back pain. Especially when conservative methods have failed.

Please click here to view before and after images of an Abdominoplasty procedure. For more information about the positive effects of Abdominoplasty for treating chronic back pain, contact Dr. Lalla today at 973-324-9455.

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Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?

There’s no better time than the present, or at least that’s how the saying goes. However, when it comes to certain plastic surgery procedures such as abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, waiting for the right time in your life can be critical in ensuring long-lasting results. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that is unique to each patient. This procedure addresses the mid-section of the body and smooths skin, and flattens the stomach area to help clothes fit better, boosts confidence, and often restore a woman’s body to her pre-childbearing shape. Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction for optimal results. To follow is some information on when is the best time to undergo abdominoplasty.

Reasons to Consider a Tummy Tuck

  • You are unhappy with the appearance of your mid-section (tummy) area
  • You have excess skin or fat that will not tighten or respond to healthy diet and exercise
  • You have had dramatic weight loss or given birth
  • Your self-confidence has been negatively impacted due to the appearance of your tummy

Qualities of an Abdominoplasty Candidate

  • Individuals who have had extreme weight loss that have shown they can maintain a healthy weight for extended periods
  • Women who no longer plan on having children, as pregnancy after a tummy tuck often requires a repeat surgery later on
  • Individuals who wish to tighten and flatten their abdominal area
  • Individuals that have realistic expectations of what a tummy tuck can do for them
  • Individuals should understand that scarring is unavoidable, but is positioned below the bikini line to reduce prominence

Recovering from Abdominoplasty

When choosing the correct time to undergo a tummy tuck, it’s important that patients consider the recovery period and make sure that they have someone to help take care of them or small children during the process.

  • Immediately following the procedure, surgical drains will remain in the abdomen
  • Patients are instructed to wear compression garments to assist in healing for a period of time determined by your plastic surgeon
  • Patients are limited in their activities for at least six weeks
  • Full recovery can take upwards of one month, depending on the patient

Interested in Abdominoplasty? Contact Dr. Sanjay Lalla.

If you’d like more information about tummy tuck procedures, take the first step – contact us today with any questions you may have. To schedule your plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Sanjay Lalla, call our West Orange office at 973-324-9455 or our Jersey City office at 201-763-6764. We look forward to hearing from you.

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