What to Expect from Abdominoplasty

If 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. And for more information about the benefits of tummy tuck, contact Dr. Lalla today at 973-324-9455.