Following pregnancy or weight loss, many individuals experience excess sagging skin and fat deposits on the abdomen. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, can help to remove this excess skin and fat, as well as tighten weakened abdominal muscles for an improved abdominal contour.
What is an Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen to improve the waistline. Many different life factors, including pregnancy and extreme weight fluctuations, can cause the abdominal walls to weaken and can cause excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen. A tummy tuck can tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall and reduce a bulging abdomen for a slimmer body silhouette.
The Procedure
There are two types of tummy tucks that can be performed. These include a full abdominoplasty and a mini abdominoplasty. A full abdominoplasty/tummy tuck usually requires 2-3 hours to perform. An incision is made above the pubic region and extends from hip to hip. Another incision is made around the umbilicus (belly-button). The skin and fat are lifted off the abdominal wall and stretched down. Any excess is removed and often the abdominal muscles are tightened. A mini tummy tuck is often done for individuals with minimal excess skin and fat, and usually requires 1-2 hours to perform. The incision for this may be shorter than the full abdominoplasty. A consult with Dr. Golosow at Associates in Cosmetic Surgery will help determine which procedure may be right for you.
Recovery
Following a tummy tuck procedure, you will be placed in bandages and a compression garment to control swelling. This garment should be worn for several weeks during recovery. Any discomfort can be controlled with pain medication. Patients should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Those who undergo a traditional tummy tuck will have a longer recovery period than those who underwent a mini tummy tuck.
If you have been considering cosmetic surgery near Ft. Myers, please contact Associates in Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Golosow.