Life Happens
Our bodies change with the passage of time, reflecting the major events of our lives, such as pregnancy, changes in nutrition and fitness, hormonal shifts, and the natural softening of our tissues as we age. While the journey may be full and rewarding, these changes can make it hard to feel like our best selves. Fitting into clothing and swimsuits, feeling fit and comfortable in our bodies, and feeling happy with what we see in photos and the mirror are all important.
Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)
A Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) reshapes the abdomen by removing extra skin and fat, as well as tightening the abdominal muscles. It is best used for those who have developed loose skin and diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles), which often happen with pregnancy. The goal is to restore the youthful contour of the abdomen, making it easier to fit comfortably and beautifully into clothing.
Mini Tummy Tuck
The Mini Tummy Tuck is a smaller version of the standard abdominoplasty, removing only a small amounts of skin and fat below the belly button. This type is best suited to someone who does not need repair of the abdominal muscles.
Mommy Makeover
The Mommy Makeover combines a tummy tuck with breast surgery, whether with implants, lift, or reduction. The nickname, though it may raise eyebrows, speaks to the fact that pregnancy and motherhood are, simply put, hard. The maternal body is amazing: our tissues adapt in ways that are sometimes unbelievable, in order to create an entire human. But these changes – the stretching of the abdomen, muscles, and skin, the presence of stubborn hormonal fat, and dramatic breast changes – are rarely reversible, even with fitness and nutrition. Like all surgeries, it is customized to fit each woman’s goals. For patients in good health, it is safe to combine breast and abdomen procedures into a single surgery.
Planning Your Surgery
The standard abdominoplasty combines three elements:
• Excess Skin Removal
• Tightening the Abdominal Muscles (repair of rectus diastasis)
• Slimming the Abdomen and Refining the Silhouette using Liposuction
Depending on the patient, one or all of these elements are performed. The scar, while long (extending from hip to hip) sits low, below the waist, and is hidden within a full coverage bikini line. A smaller scar is hidden within the belly button, which is also restored to a more youthful “innie” shape.
• Tightening the Abdominal Muscles (repair of rectus diastasis)
• Slimming the Abdomen and Refining the Silhouette using Liposuction
Procedure
The surgery takes about 2-4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center. Local anesthetic blocks are given during surgery to control postoperative pain and to minimize the need for strong pain medicine afterwards. The patient is dressed into a padded compression bodysuit before waking from anesthesia. After a 1-2 hour period of recovery, the patient is discharged to continue recovery at home.
Recovery
Most tummy tucks are done as outpatient surgery, with all recovery done at home. You will wear a compression bodysuit 24/7 for the first two weeks, and will gradually wear it less and less as the weeks pass. Full return to most physical activity happens around six weeks, and full return to dedicated abdominal work happens around twelve weeks. Most patients feel “back to themselves” at around 2 weeks, but may feel more tired than usual for the first month after surgery.
Final results are seen between 3-6 months after recovery, with final scar fading happening by 1 year. While the results are permanent, it is important to remember that our bodies continue to change with time. Life events such as pregnancy, weight changes, and aging will exert changes on the body's tissues.
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction vs. Both?
The difference is that liposuction alone does not remove skin or tighten the abdominal muscles. This is often a good option for those who have not been pregnant, for whom the goal is tummy fat removal without skin or muscle tightening. Liposuction, however, is often used as part of a tummy tuck to further slenderize the silhouette, or to address nearby areas, such as the flanks and hips, to enhance the entire torso.
TAKE SHAPE