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Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery is
performed to sculpt or repair the three components of the
abdominal wall that contribute to an unaesthetic appearance.
These components are muscle laxity (possibly
secondary to weight loss or pregnancy), extra fat and extra
skin. Presently, there is no effective treatment for stretch
marks or striae; however, there is improvement when the skin
is pulled tight. Lipoplasty alone is effective only when the
predominant aesthetic problem is extra fat and the skin has
enough inherent elasticity to shrink. In this situation, lipoplasty
can improve abdominal contour. Loosening or waviness of the
skin may occur if the skin is unable to shrink or contract
properly.
Abdominoplasty surgery employs a well-hidden
incision (designed for your bikini or underwear style) to
tighten lax abdominal muscles and remove extra skin. The combination
of abdominoplasty and lipoplasty is a powerful one... one
that can deliver dramatic results.
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Not all abdominoplasty surgeries are of
the same design or extent. Your surgery is "individualized"
for your particular anatomy and the relative contribution
of muscle laxity, fatty excess, and skin excess present. These
factors will be pointed out to you during the consultation,
and the extent of the procedure will be explained. Finally,
addressing aesthetic issues of adjacent areas may enhance
abdominal rejuvenation. These may include lipoplasty of the
hips and outer thigh region, as well as body lifting procedures
such as a flankplasty or inner thigh plasty.
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Abdominoplasty has an undeserved reputation
for a prolonged and difficult recovery. It is routinely accomplished
in our outpatient Museum Mile Surgicenter. Patients can go
home the same evening. Sometimes patients prefer to remain
overnight with one of our private duty nurses. This decision
is made between the doctor and the patient after consideration
of the patient's needs and the extent of the procedure.
Abdominal drains are rarely used and, over
many years, it has become evident that they are unnecessary
to prevent blood or fluid accumulation between the skin and
muscle. However, it is imperative that the patient limits
activity so that the amount of swelling fluid is reduced,
enhancing the opportunity for the skin and muscle to re-adhere.
Therefore, patients are instructed NOT TO SIT, but only to
stand or to lie. When sitting, the skin can buckle away from
the underlying muscle. Finally, a garment is worn for approximately
3 weeks to minimize swelling and support the skin until it
reattaches to the muscle.
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