Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Information, Before and After Photos, Surgery
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck,” is performed to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. If there is a large fat accumulation, liposuction may be suggested first to remove excess fatty deposits, followed by an abdominoplasty to address loose skin and muscles at a second stage.
Women whose abdominal muscles and skin have been stretched out from multiple pregnancies, as well as older women who have a loss of skin elasticity due to age or weight fluctuations, are ideal candidates. Women who are planning future pregnancies may be advised to wait, as the vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery will tend to separate again during pregnancy. Men are also candidates for abdominoplasty following massive weight loss or due to aging and lack of exercise.
We usually perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia. The most common technique involves an incision made across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. Every effort including angling the incision is made to make the scar as short as possible and easy to conceal beneath even the skimpiest panty or bikini. A second incision is usually made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. We then separate the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lift a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new opening is made for the belly button at the right position with the new belly-button recreated in a youthful, vertical orientation. The incisions are closed with sutures hidden under the skin so they don’t have to be removed.
If the fat deposits and excess skin are all located below the navel, we may recommend a less complex procedure called a mini-tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty. In partial or modified tummy tuck, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not need to be moved. The skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.
Both a partial and complete abdominoplasty are performed in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, waist or thighs for a better contour. This truly leads to the sculpted abdominal appearance that most patients are looking for.
For a tummy tuck in New York contact board certified plastic surgeon Dr Eric Sadeh.
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