Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Jupiter and Palm Beach County
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a “tummy tuck,” is a 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.
If you’re considering abdominoplasty, this information 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 Dr. Koger about anything you don’t understand.
- The best candidates for a tummy tuck
- All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
- Planning your surgery
- Preparing for your surgery
- Where your surgery will be performed
- Types of anesthesia
- The surgery
- After your surgery
- Getting back to normal
- Your new look
The best candidates for a tummy tuck
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by loose abdominal skin and fat that won’t respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through pregnancy, 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.
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 Dr. Koger.
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All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Koger, 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 healing. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.
Poor healing, which results in conspicuous incision marks, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers will need to stop smoking for 2 – 4 weeks before and after surgery because it increases the risks of complications and can delay healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following Dr. Koger’s instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
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Planning your surgery
In your initial consultation, Dr. Koger will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell him if you smoke, and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with Dr. Koger. He will be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.
If, for example, your loose skin and 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. 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, Dr. Koger will 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, Dr. Koger will also explain the anesthesia he will use and the type of facility where the surgery will be performed.
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Preparing for your surgery
Dr. Koger 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 month before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid over exposure 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 may 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.
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Where your surgery will be performed
Both partial and complete abdominoplasties are usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, but can be performed in the hospital, where patients can stay overnight if preferred.
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Types of anesthesia
Dr. Koger uses general anesthesia, so you’ll sleep through the operation.
The surgery
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to four hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
Most commonly, Dr. Koger will make an incision 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 surrounding navel skin may not be moved, although it may be pulled into a slightly different shape as the skin is tightened.
Next, Dr. Koger separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles and fascia in your abdomen. These muscles and fascia 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 made 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, the muscles are tightened, and the flap is stitched back into place.
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After your surgery
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you’re likely to feel some soreness 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 overnight.
Dr. Koger will give you instructions for showering. Your dressings will be waterproof. Though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.
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Getting back to normal
It may take you several weeks to feel like your 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 one week, while others take two or three 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 for 4 weeks 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 incision marks flatten out and lighten in color. While they’ll never disappear completely, abdominal incision marks will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
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Your new look
Abdominoplasty, whether partial or complete, produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin and fat. 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 incision mark and a recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.
Serving South Florida, including Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach County.
