Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty to tummy tuck surgery is the removal of excess skin and fat around the stomach while tightening the abdominal wall. Performed by expert cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Elie Abdelhak, the surgery is frequently sought out after pregnancy or weight loss — when the skin has become stretched or saggy.

Tummy tuck surgery is often combined with liposuction or breast augmentation are often performed at the same time. There are several variations of tummy tuck surgery, each designed to target certain areas of the body or specific issues.

An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Elie Abdelhak can thoroughly explain these options and help you arrive at a treatment plan that will give you natural results and an improved sense of confidence. When meeting, you’ll talk about your goals and the following options:

  • Complete abdominoplasty. The surgeon will cut your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone and then contour the skin, tissue, and muscle as needed. The surgery will involve moving your belly button, and you may need drainage tubes under your skin for a few days.
  • Partial or mini abdominoplasty. Mini-abdominoplasties are often done on people whose fat deposits are located below the navel. During this procedure, the surgeon most likely will not move your belly button, and the procedure may only take up to two hours, depending on your case.

The Day of Your Abdominoplasty

The surgery can take between 2 to 3 hours and is carried out under general anesthetic. Following surgery, you will stay overnight in one of our private rooms, where you will recuperate under the care of our expert medical team.

Recovery Time

There are a lot of factors that affect your recovery. For most patients, the worst discomfort is the first two to three days and it gradually gets better after that.  Most normal activities and be returned to in about two weeks but six weeks for heavy lifting, abdominal exercises or strenuous activity. This is because it takes six weeks to build up enough scar tissue that you are no longer relying on the stitches in the muscle to hold things together.

During that time frame the patient will wear a compression garment over the abdomen. The drains are removed after the first 7-10 days depending on how much fluid is coming out through the drains. It is advisable to sleep on a recliner or with their head up on several pillows. It is also recommend walking regularly and with a slightly flexed posture for the first few days. The purpose is to prevent blood clots and to avoid tension on the incision, respectively. Patients are placed on an oral narcotic and an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Am I a candidate for tummy tuck surgery?

Tummy Tuck is recommended:

  • If you have got too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
  • For women who have had several pregnancies and who may find the procedure useful for tightening their abdominal muscles and reducing skin.
  • For men or women who were once obese and still have excess fat deposits or loose skin around the belly.

FAQs

How long will the results last?

Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies would be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

What to expect from tummy tuck surgery?

A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised. A tummy tuck can restore a flatter, tighter appearance.

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