"Tummy-Tuck" (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominoplasty ("tummy-tuck") is a procedure for contouring
of the abdominal wall used especially in patients where
liposuction alone is unlikely to resolve the cosmetic problem.
This occurs especially in patients with excess, stretched out
skin and bulging abdominal muscles such as seen in smaller
women following pregnancies with large babies. Presence of
many stretch marks on the belly skin or a large amount of skin
and fat overhang (panniculus) makes a tummy tuck
(abdominoplasty) the procedure of choice. Lax, stretched out
skin is also seen in patients who experienced large volume
weight loss following bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and
gastric banding). Plastic Surgeon Dr. Zemplenyi performs
abdominoplasty at our Bel-Red Center for Aesthetic Plastic
Cosmetic Surgery on patients from Seattle, Bellevue and the
entire Puget Sound region.
Pre-Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Consultation
We wish is to help you decide on the best treatment program
tailored for your individual needs. During your consultation
Dr. Zemplenyi will address your abdominal contour cosmetic
concerns and will advise you on the various abdominoplasty
techniques available for their correction. In general, a full
abdominoplasty consists of a mobilization of the abdominal skin
wall away from the underlying Rectus abdominis, freeing up the
belly button and sliding the wall in a downward direction with
removal of excess skin from the area immediately above the
pubic region. The muscle wall is reinforced with sutures and a
new opening for the belly button is created. Modified, lesser
versions of a tummy tuck avoid the mobilization of the belly
button and avoid the re-enforcement of the muscle wall.
Although Dr. Zemplenyi will provide you with his recommendation
for your treatment, you will be empowered to make an informed
decision about those procedures best for you. While tightening
of the Rectus abdominis muscles of the belly wall is not
necessary in all cases of a tummy tuck the results tend to be
enhanced when the belly wall is reconstructed and tightened-up.
Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck Surgery &
Anesthesia
Our goal is to perform all surgeries without any patient
recollection of the procedure and with the least amount of
discomfort, nausea or other anesthetic side-effects. Dr.
Zemplenyi performs tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) most commonly
under general anesthesia although sedation "twilight sleep"
anesthesia is possible in some patients. Please refer to the
section on Anesthesia and Pre-operative instructions for
further information. The exact technique of abdominoplasty to
be used is chosen by you and Dr. Zemplenyi in the pre-operative
consultation. We often perform an abdominoplasty along with
liposuction of the epigastric (upper belly) and the "love
handle" region.
A horizontal curved incision is placed above the pubic hair
region and extends toward the bony pelvic (iliac crest) bones.
The exact length of the incision depends on the width of the
skin between the belly button and the pubic region to be
excised in order to re-establish tightness of the belly skin
envelope. The scar is placed so that it is covered in a
bathing suit. Drains are inserted for evacuation of
accumulated fluid and remain in place for about seven to ten
days.
After Your Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck Surgery
Most patients are discharged home following about 45 to 60
minute stay in the recovery room at the Bel-Red Center for
Aesthetic Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. Post-operative discomfort
is controlled with prescribed narcotic pain medications and
muscle relaxants. A check-up visit with Dr. Zemplenyi occurs
the next day, and most patients take about one week from work
and avoid strenuous activities for three to four weeks. The
drains are removed at seven to then days as are some of the
sutures. Final cosmetic result is not achieved until three to
four months when all of the residual changes resolve.
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