Abdominoplasty
Tummy tucks, otherwise known as abdominoplasties, are one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures. After childbirth or weight loss, you can be left with loose skin, a bulging belly, stretch marks, or damaged abdominal muscles. An abdominoplasty will remove excess fat and skin while tightening loose abdominal muscles in order to help you restore a more fit appearance in your stomach region.
Who Is A Tummy Tuck Candidate?
A tummy tuck is a good option for anyone who wants to remove excess skin and small fat deposits left behind after childbirth or weight loss. This includes people who have lost weight after having weight-loss surgery, as well as people who have lost weight primarily through exercise or dieting. The ideal candidate is in good overall health, at a stable weight, and does not smoke.
If you still have a lot of weight you want to lose or are planning to have more children in the future, it may be wiser to put off having a tummy tuck. This is because losing more weight or having more children will further change your body, and that may undo some or all of the effects of the tummy tuck procedure.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Options
Depending on the amount of correction that the patient desires, Dr. Strazar may suggest a specific type of abdominoplasty for a more customized solution. Dr. Strazar uses an advanced progressive tensioning abdominoplasty technique which improves the contour of the abdomen and decreases the stretch on your incision. This results in a thinner, less visible scar, and can often avoid the use of drains post operatively.
A mini tummy tuck only addresses the region underneath the belly button and avoids an incision around the navel. It is an excellent option when there are minimal amounts of excess skin and fat that need to be removed. There will be a smaller incision, a minor scar and shorter recovery time.
A full tummy tuck will address issues with the entire abdominal area. A carefully placed incision below the bikini line is made for maximum discretion. A second incision around the belly button allows it to be repositioned to the ideal location on the abdomen. The underlying muscle laxity is repaired, and the excess skin and fat is removed. Often liposuction is used to further improved the shape and contour of the abdomen and waist.
During your consultation, Dr. Strazar will discuss with you which particular method that he recommends for achieving the best result for you.
Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss
It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. If you have abdominal protuberance related to intra-abdominal distention, your bulging abdomen is the result of fatty deposits building up around your organs. A tummy tuck will not be able to correct that.
Instead, a tummy tuck is the ideal procedure for someone who’s already lost a significant amount of weight. This weight loss has now led to hanging skin in your abdominal region, which no amount of diet or exercise will be able to fix. A tummy tuck can help eliminate that problem skin and put the finishing touches on your efforts.
Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy And Childbirth
Your tummy tuck will address many of the physical changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to eliminating loose skin, stretch marks, and C-section scars, the procedure can repair abdominal muscles that were stretched or damaged throughout the childbearing process.
You should also talk to Dr. Strazar if you plan to have children in the future. While it is still possible after undergoing a tummy tuck, Dr. Strazar generally advises women to wait until they are finished having children before undergoing an abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck will have no adverse effects on future pregnancies, but your bodily changes during those nine months can undo many of the results that your procedure achieved. You may need a corrective follow-up after you give birth.
How Long Does It Take To Recover After A Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Strazar advocates that you resume light activity as soon as possible, so as to assist the healing process. That being said, you will need to avoid any strenuous activity, in addition to any heavy lifting for approximately 6 weeks. You will likely have an abdominal binder or compression garments to help minimize swelling and maintain your muscle repair. For the first week after your procedure, you should walk slightly hunched over to help keep tension off the incision area. You’ll also want to sleep sitting upright, either in bed propped up by pillows or in a reclining chair.
Typical recovery time is about 2 weeks. Most of Dr. Strazar’s patients return to work two to three weeks after surgery. If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to take more time off.
Beyond these general guidelines, tummy tuck recovery can vary from person to person. Dr. Strazar will discuss it with you extensively, and it’s essential to follow his instructions to ensure the best possible outcome.
Combining A Tummy Tuck With Other Procedures
Tummy tucks can be combined with other cosmetic surgeries to help give you a full-body rejuvenation. Depending on the changes your body went through during pregnancy, you may be interested in a “mommy makeover”, which is a customized set of procedures designed help to restore your pre-pregnancy body.
Typical recovery time is about 2 weeks. Most of Dr. Strazar’s patients return to work two to three weeks after surgery. If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to take more time off.
Mommy makeovers typically include a combination of the following procedures:
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
Tummy Tuck Revision Surgery
Many patients come with the hope of correcting or improving a previously performed tummy tuck or body contouring procedure. Dr. Strazar frequently provides solutions for many of these patients.
Reasons for revision surgery may include:
- Unsightly Scars
- Drooping skin
- Lingering Fat
- An Unappealing Belly Button
- Internal Scar Tissue
Revisional abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedures are comprised of a variety of different remedies to improve prior surgical results. With his cosmetic and reconstructive experience, Dr. Strazar has the advanced skill set needed to restore and rectify results women were looking to achieve.