Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the upper and lower abdomen and tightens the underlying muscle to give you a flatter abdomen.
The Procedure - A complete abdominoplasty usually takes about 2-3 hours. Mini tummy tucks may take only an hour or two. Typically Dr. Miller will make a low, curved incision across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. A second small incision is usually made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. Dr. Miller then separates the skin from the abdominal wall and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are then pulled together and stitched into a new position so that they are tighter. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The skin flap is then pulled down and surplus skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel incision may not be required. Muscle tightening is not always necessarily performed.
Recovery (What To Expect) You will need to wear a compression garment for 2 to 6 weeks to hold in your muscles until they heal in their new location. Some drain tubes will be left in place after the surgery and removed by Dr. Miller the following week. Swelling tends to peak at around day 3, and most swelling will be gone in two to three weeks. It is best to refrain from strenuous exercise and avoid lifting heavy objects for several weeks. Some patients have returned to work after only a week, while most patients wait two weeks.
Before Abdominoplasty |
After Abdominoplasty |
Before Abdominoplasty |
After Abdominoplasty |
Before Abdominoplasty |
After Abdominoplasty |
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