Tummy Tuck
If You're Considering Abdominoplasty...
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a tummy tuck, is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured and excess fat, tissue and skin is removed.
Your plastic surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue together and stitches them, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall.
In a full tummy tuck, a second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.
After surgery, the patient has a flatter, trimmer abdomen. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time.
If you're considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.
The Best Candidates for Abdominoplasty
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.
Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
Planning Your Surgery
In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.
If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also know as a mini-tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result.
In any case, your surgeon should work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
During the consultation, your surgeon should also explain the anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. In most cases, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of abdominoplasty, but you should check your policy to be sure.
Preparing For Your Surgery
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, your surgery will probably be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Many surgeons perform both partial and complete abdominoplasties in an outpatient surgical center or an office-based facility. Others prefer the hospital, where their patients can stay for several days.
Types of Anesthesia
Your doctor may select general anesthesia, so you'll sleep through the operation.
Other surgeons use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and your abdominal region will be insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.)
The Surgery
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, ,just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts 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. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
In partial abdominoplasty, 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.
After Your Surgery
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalized for two to three days.
Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.
Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.
Getting Back to Normal
It may take you weeks or months to feel like your old self again. If you start out in top physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty will be much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.
Exercise will help you heal better. Even people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided until you can do it comfortably.
Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they'll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
Your New Look
Abdominoplasty, whether partial or complete, produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long lasting, if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.
FAQ
How long is my recovery?
Some patients spend one night in the hospital following this procedure. You will have some swelling and bruising of your abdomen. The swelling might persist for several weeks. You will have an abdominal binder to wear when you leave the hospital. This helps to reduce swelling and protect your incision. After your drains are removed, you can switch to wearing a girdle-like garment. You should be able to resume normal activities in a few days. You may take small walks as long as you are not dizzy. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and abdominal exercises are restricted for six weeks.
How long will I be in pain?
You will have discomfort for a few days. Tightness and soreness in the abdomen might persist for a couple of weeks. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to use immediately post-op, and can change to Ibuprofen or other over the counter pain relief after a few days. You may also have an On Q-pump, which will infuse medication into your abdomen to help with pain. This will be removed around five days post operatively.
How often will I need to come to the office for follow-up visits?
Your first post-op visit will typically be within three days after surgery. We will check your incisions, observe for signs of infection and monitor your recovery. We will then see you on a weekly basis until your drains are ready to be removed. Sometimes, after the drain is removed, you can develop a collection of fluid in your abdomen called a seroma. This is not serious, but can be uncomfortable and put stress on your incision. If this occurs, we will remove the fluid with a small needle in the office. This might have to be done once or twice weekly until the body absorbs the fluid. This is not a painful procedure.
When can I go back to work?
In about two weeks, you should be able to return to work. If your job requires physical labor, you should consider taking 4-6 weeks of leave or return to work with lifting restrictions.
When can I drive?
You can drive as soon as you are off of the narcotic pain medication and feel alert enough and physically able to do so.
What medications will I be on after surgery?
You will be given prescriptions for pain medication; usually Percocet and Vicodin. You may take one or the other to control your pain. A prescription for Zofran is also given; you can have this filled if you need to. This can be used to control post-operative nausea and vomiting that some patients experience after anesthesia. We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics, but will prescribe them if we suspect you have an infection.
Can I go home the same day?
Generally, patients who have this procedure spend one night in the hospital. However, some patients feel more comfortable recovering at home. You might be able to go home the same day as surgery if you are doing well. Someone will have to drive you home and stay with you the first night.
When can I have sex?
You may have sex when you feel comfortable enough. However, we suggest waiting a week to give your incision time to heal. Too much stress on your incision can cause it to reopen.
Will I have scars?
You will have one long incision across your abdomen, usually extending upward from hip to hip. You will also have two small incisions from the drains, usually in or just above your pubic hairline. You will also have an incision inside your belly button. You will have Dermabond, an adhesive glue covering your incisions. Your incisions can get wet. Do not apply any ointment or scar products to your incision until discussed with our office.
Will I have drains?
Two drains are usually necessary to help collect fluid that accumulates in your abdomen following surgery. These are left in place when you leave the hospital. You will need to empty and measure the output of the drains at least twice daily. The nurse will show you how before you leave the hospital. The amount of time the drains stay in place varies with each person. Usually they stay in place for 1-2 weeks. They are usually concealed when secured under loose garments.
When can I shower?
Sponge bathe until you are seen for your first post-operative visit.
Will I have to wear a special garment?
Following surgery, you will be given an abdominal binder to wear. This goes over your incision and lower abdomen. We suggest wearing this around the clock for about two weeks. After that, you can switch to wearing a girdle to help with swelling and contour.
When will I see the results?
Bruising should disappear within 1-2 weeks. Swelling can persist longer, noticeably up to 6-10 weeks. You will notice a difference immediately, seeing changes throughout your recovery, but it could take up to three months to see the final result.
How do I prevent constipation?
Narcotic pain medication can cause constipation. We recommend taking Colace or Pericolace. This medication is available over the counter at the pharmacy. You should begin taking this medication when you get home, and continue as long as you are on the narcotic pain medication. Increasing your fiber intake, eating fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of fluids also helps. If constipation becomes a serious problem, we suggest either a Dulcolax suppository or drinking Milk-of-Magnesia.
What if I cannot urinate?
Following anesthesia, some patients have difficulty urinating. If you go home and are unable to urinate within six hours, you might need to be catheterized. Go to the Emergency Room—either Georgetown or one that is closer to your home. Patients are usually able to urinate after the medication leaves their system.
How can I reach someone, after office hours if I have a problem?
If you have a problem and the office is closed, you may contact the Plastic Surgery fellow or chief resident. You will be given their pager number after surgery.
Do my sutures need to be removed?
Dr. Spear usually uses dissolvable sutures. They are not noticeable and are absorbed by the body. You will have one suture holding each drain in place that will be removed with the drain.
When can I travel?
You may travel as soon as you feel physically able to do so. However, you may feel uncomfortable riding in a car for long periods of time within the first two weeks of surgery. We will also want to see you in the office on a weekly basis for the first 2-3 weeks.
Will I be able to get pregnant after my abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty will not interfere with your ability to become pregnant. However, pregnancy will interfere with your surgical result. Skin and tissue are removed from your abdomen, but your remaining abdominal skin will stretch to accommodate your pregnant belly.