What is a tummy tuck?

ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK)

Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that reshapes the abdomen to a youthful figure. If you have had children, or changed in weight over the years, you may have loose skin, lax muscles and some excess fat in your abdominal area. If this area of your body has been resistant to dieting and exercise you may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty, better known as "tummy tuck. When the skin is of good quality, not loose, but there is too much fat around the abdomen and waist line, then Liposuction is the answer to your image problems.

During the abdominoplasty procedure, the muscles of the abdomen will be tightened to form a slimmer waistline and a flatter stomach. Excess fat is then removed before pulling the skin tight to form a smooth, taut contour. As with any major surgery, the recovery process is shorter if you are healthy and fit before the procedure. Most patients will be able to go home the same day of the operation, while some will require a longer, supervised recovery.

The procedure takes two to three hour of surgery. The incision is designed across the lower abdomen within the bikini line. Factors that determine the way the final scar looks is determined by the healing process and the genetic factors. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict the quality of the final scar. However, every advanced surgical technique is used to give you the chance for a fine line of a scar.

If you are considering abdominoplasty, we invite you to come in for a consultation to discuss the benefits of this procedure and answer any questions you may have. The procedure Abdominoplasty is done under general anesthesia, as an out-patient procedure. The incision is placed in the lower abdomen within the bikini line. The lax muscles are tightened in the midline and laterally to help define the waist line. The skin is tightened and the excess is removed. The umbilicus (belly button) is brought through the skin in its new position and sutured in place. When an abdominal wall hernia is present, it is usually repaired at the time of the abdominoplasty. Every effort is made to make your surgical experience as comfortable as possible. The use of Pain Pump has decreased the amount of pain significantly, and made the post surgical experience more comfortable.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE?

Abdominal skin laxity can occur after weight loss, pregnancy, surgery or for no apparent reason. Pregnancy causes the abdominal wall muscles to separate and weaken, which also contributes to the protrusion of the abdomen. Healthy patients are the best candidates, who are finished with having more children. The best results are achieved when you are at or near your ideal body weight. To get the best results, sometime liposuction is also used for optimal curves.

INCISIONS

The incision is well hidden in the Bikini line. The length of the incision depends on the amount of skin laxity. Normally scars fade with time; however some people are genetically predetermined to form thick scars or keloids. Every effort and fine surgical technique is used to give the chance for the best scar possible. After surgery the use of silicone gel sheeting may improve on scars, and help in rapid scar resolution.

RECOVERY

Recovery is about one to two weeks. Full activity is resumed in three to four weeks. During the recovery period you should refrain from heavy activity, heavy lifting and pushing.

GOALS

Restore a youthful appearance to the abdomen.

A tight skin and tight abdominal muscles.

Restoring youth and tight abdomen sometimes require only liposuction with or without a MINI_ABDOMINOPLASTY, where the incision is still in the Bikini line, but much smaller. Recovery is faster. Such a procedure is ideal for the young patient with minimal skin and muscle laxity, but has more fat. Abdominoplasty is one of the most gratifying procedures. Restoring youth and curves to your body image on the beach or in the privacy of your home.

For a personalized, private consultation call 410-243-3035 Samir Shureih MD. FACS. sshureih@msn.com www.cosmeticsurgeryforme.com