
Patients who are planning on losing a substantial amount of weight or future pregnancies are advised to delay tummy tuck surgery. Abdominoplasty results are permanent, although substantial fluctuations in weight can greatly diminish these results. The abdominoplasty scar will fade to be barely visible, and can be easily concealed in clothing and swimwear. The result of your abdominoplasty can be distorted due to swelling in the first few weeks, however as swelling diminishes you will begin to notice your results and can enjoy a toned abdominal area. Hall will provide you with specific instructions about your recovery and activity restrictions. You should avoid strenuous activity or movement such as bending at the waist that might strain the incision site. You will also have some activity restrictions in the first few months. Hall can provide you with prescription medication to manage your pain and make your recovery more comfortable. You can expect to be assisted with walking as soon as the next day to prevent the formation of blood clots, however, you should be resting for the first week or two after surgery.Īfter your procedure, you will likely experience some swelling and discomfort. Small tubes may also be inserted to drain any excess blood or fluids. What Should I Expect During Recovery?ĭuring abdominoplasty recovery, dressings are applied to incision sites and a compression garment may be worn to minimize swelling and provide support to the adjusted tissues.
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Incisions will be closed with sutures, tapes, or skin adhesives. Skin on the upper abdomen is pulled down, and a new opening for the belly button is created. Depending on how much excess skin is being removed, a second incision around the navel may be necessary. The loose skin is then lifted, weakened abdominal muscles will be tightened, and a natural contour achieved by removing excess fat. Hall creates a horizontal incision between the belly button and the pubic hairline, which results in a tummy tuck scar that a bikini can easily cover. Jonathan Hall will recommend which choice is best for you.ĭuring the surgery, Dr. Tummy tuck patients choosing to undergo surgery have the choice of intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, and Boston plastic surgeon Dr. How your abdominoplasty procedure is performed will depend on your specific needs and body concerns. View Body Gallery How is an Abdominoplasty Performed? She is already thrilled with her early result! This is an early result and swelling will typically diminish and improve over the next 4 months, and the scars will continue to soften and fade. She is shown 5 months after breast reduction, and 2 months after lipo-abdominoplasty. ( the exception being a bariatric patient who has lost 100 lbs or more and can sometimes be accommodated up to a BMI of 35) So I prefer my abdominoplasty patients to have a BMI of 28 or less. I tell patients that you “can’t put 40 lbs of potatoes in a 20 lb bag” and if we operate at the higher weight there is not only a greater risk of a blood clot because of pressure on the large veins in the abdomen, but more pain and a greater likelihood of the muscle wall stretching back out again. There is typically fat around the intestines (“omental fat” ) that fills the space created from the pregnancies and prevents tightening the stomach wall if a patient is overweight. Her BMI was 32 and I had her reduce her weight to a BMI of 28 or less. Exparel was used to limit her reduce pain and limit need for narcotics after surgery.Ī woman of color and mother of 3 in her late 50’s who is bothered by the size and appearance of her breasts as well as the bulging of her abdomen.

She is thrilled with her new shape and size.

It is better to have the longer scar low and in a thong position with a small vertical slit if needed, instead of having the entire scar higher on the abdomen.

Sharp eyes will notice a small vertical scar in the lower abdomen- this was the original aperture or opening around her umbilicus ( belly button) that is pulled down like a window shade after the muscles are tightened. Discussion: Scars typically get redder for 6 weeks and then begin to soften and fade over the next 2 years or more. Scars have continued to fade and improve, and will typically continue to do so for another year or more. Last four photos: Our patient is now seen one year after her surgery. She is shown before and again, 6 ½ months after abdominoplasty.

She describes it as “ a lump of blob” and does not like the roll of skin and bulging above the waistline of her pants and in fitted clothing. A mother of 2 in her early 50’s who is bothered by her abdomen following her 2 pregnancies.
