What is a Tummy Tuck?

What is a tummy tuck?

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

A tummy tuck is beneficial for those who have experienced massive weight loss, or for women who have lost the elasticity in their skin and abdominal muscles due to multiple pregnancies. In these cases the abdominals are unable to return to their natural shape after they have been stretched beyond their capacity, regardless of diet and exercise programs.

Who is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

The ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are patients already in relatively good physical health, but have excess skin or fat in the abdominal area that is resistant to diet and exercise.

The normal aging process can also cause skin to sag or lose elasticity, making many older patients excellent tummy tuck candidates.  Tummy tuck surgery is not for those who have a little excess fat that they wish to remove.  Tummy tuck surgery is best suited to remove larger amounts of loose and sagging skin and to help tighten abdominal muscles that have lost their elasticity.

For smaller areas of stubborn fat, liposuction can provide excellent results.

What to Expect During Your Tummy Tuck

Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to three hours, depending on the extent of work required. Most commonly, the surgeon 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 navel may not be moved.

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. 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 two temporary tubes 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.
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you are likely to feel some 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.

To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/tummy_tuck_abdominoplasty_nj.shtml

About Dr. Lombardi:

Dr. Lombardi is a Plastic Surgeon in NJ and the founding surgeon of The Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Eatontown, New Jersey. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Lombardi has received highly specialized training in all aspects of cosmetic surgery including Breast Augmentation, Facial Rejuvenation, and Body Contouring procedures. He is trained in the latest cutting edge techniques of cosmetic surgery including laser surgery, Botox, Restylane, and all of the newest facial fillers. In addition, Dr. Lombardi is the first plastic surgeon in Monmouth County to perform Thermage, or the non-surgical Facelift.
To learn more about Dr. Lombardi, visit http://www.doctorsofcosmeticsurgery.com/