Discouraged by the excess fat and skin in your mid- and/or lower abdomen as a result of pregnancy, aging or significant weight loss? Or maybe you’re at a normal body weight and you follow a solid diet and exercise plan, but your abdomen still protrudes or is loose or sagging.
A tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from your mid- and/or lower abdomen, while tightening and flattening the muscles of your abdominal wall. The result is a smoother, flatter abdomen.
People sometimes ask if they should have a tummy tuck or liposuction; there is a difference. While a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles to flatten your stomach, liposuction removes excess fat but does not remove loose skin or tighten the muscles. They’re sometimes done together; the tummy tuck addresses the abdomen while the liposuction is used for the hips or thighs.
A number of factors determine if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, including the amount of excess skin and fat in your midsection and the looseness of your abdominal muscles. If you’re considering a tummy tuck, your first step should be a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at our main office in Annapolis or at one of our one satellite offices in Easton or Prince Frederick.
During the consultation in one of our comfortable exam rooms, the doctor will review your goals and your medical history. You’ll discuss things like:
Our surgeons perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia in in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art, ambulatory surgery center in Annapolis. Tummy tucks are outpatient procedures, so you’ll go home the same day.
This surgery on your abdominal muscles begins with a horizontal incision in your lower abdomen. Most incisions are just above the pubic area and between the hip bones, easily hidden behind most bikinis, underwear and low-rise jeans. Excess fat is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened and repaired, and any excess skin is trimmed away.
Hello I’m Dr. Christopher Spitler, one of the board certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Specialists. Women who’ve had children often have concerns about the appearance of their abdomen. These include extra fat in the lower portion the abdomen, stretch marks and
loose skin. A abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is designed to address these issues. In the surgery the extra skin and fat are removed the muscles are tightened and the abdomen contoured. If you have concerns after having children about the appearance of your abdomen please contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
You’ll go home wearing a firm elastic garment. You’ll replace that with a light support garment, which you’ll wear for two to three weeks after the surgery but can remove for short periods.
After your incision heals, you’ll notice a firmer abdominal wall, a narrower waistline, a flatter lower abdomen and a more attractive shape in and out of your clothes.
Women who’ve had children often benefit the most from a tummy tuck, as the skin and muscles of a woman’s stomach stretch during pregnancy. Tummy tucks are permanent; however, if your weight changes significantly your results could change. If you’re planning to lose a significant amount of weight or have additional children, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck.
Some people combine tummy tucks with additional procedures, such as a breast augmentation, breast lift, or liposuction.
As with most surgical procedures, you may have some post-operative pain for a few days, which can be easily controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Your sutures will be under your skin and will dissolve.
The only way to know for sure if you’re a candidate for a tummy tuck is to speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, to get the information you need to decide of a tummy tuck will provide the results you want.