Flattening abdominal budges

Plastic Surgery Associates can perform a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, to eliminate excess fat and skin from your abdomen and tighten your abdominal wall muscles. This procedure works best if you are in relatively good shape but have an accumulation of fat in your abdomen or loose abdominal skin that is unaffected by diet and exercise.

What does a tummy tuck involve?

We perform two types of tummy tucks:

• Complete abdominoplasty
  The doctor makes an incision just above your pubic area from one hipbone to the other. Your abdominal muscles are pulled close and stitched together to tighten them and slim your waist, and any excess skin is removed. The procedure usually takes two to five hours.
• Partial abdominoplasty
  Also known as a mini-tummy-tuck, this is a less complicated procedure often used if fat deposits are limited to your lower abdomen. It usually takes an hour or two, with the doctor making a much smaller incision.

Most partial and complete abdominoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis. However, if you need more extensive surgery, the doctors at Plastic Surgery Associates will perform the procedure at one of the local hospitals where they have privileges.

Other options

Tummy tucks may be done in conjunction with liposuction. Check with your doctor to see which is the best option for you.

What should I expect after my tummy tuck?

Your abdomen may be swollen for a few days after surgery, and you may have slight pain or discomfort, which can be treated with medication. Surface stitches will be removed within a week, and deeper sutures in two to three weeks. You should be able to return to work two to four weeks after your surgery, but it may take a few months before you are completely back to normal. Your scars will never disappear completely, but they will diminish and lighten in color.

Abdominoplasty results are long-lasting for most people who have a balanced diet and exercise regularly.