Abdomnioplasty

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty is the surgical term for a tummy tuck. This procedure involves removing excess skin and fatty tissue from both the middle and lower abdomen. After removing the excess tissue, the surgeon then tightens muscles to create a streamlined appearance.

Tummy tucks are performed in surgical operating rooms. Patients are placed under general anesthesia, or deep sedation, for the procedure. A surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen. The abdominal skin is elevated. That space is then used to tighten the rectus muscles. The physician also removes excess skin to leave the abdomen flatter. Sometimes patients elect to combine their tummy tucks with liposuction to enhance the final appearance.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. People who are significantly overweight should wait until they have lost weight and maintained the loss for a period of time. Consult your doctor or contact us to see if this surgery is right for you.

What to Expect Post-Procedure

Generally, patients stay one night in the hospital following tummy tucks. For mini abdominoplasty some may go home after the procedure. After going home, bed rest in the “lawn chair” is best recommended for 24-48 hours. After that, sitting is easily tolerated as is walking. The patient will not be standing up straight or laying flat for 1 to 2 weeks.

Patients should consume a lot of fluids during the first 72 hours. Juice or an electrolyte beverage is preferable during this time. Dr. Fater requires patients to wear a compression garment for the first five days after surgery.

Dr. Fater prescribes narcotics until the patient is able to transition to an anti-inflammatory such as Advil or Aleve. This usually occurs at 3-4 days. By week three, many people are ready to begin increasing activity levels gradually.

Consult the team at Cape Cod Plastic Surgery to receive more information about a tummy tuck.