What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?

An abdominoplasty will benefit any person with excessive skin and localized adiposity (fat) in the abdominal area. The best candidates are usually moms after they are finished with childbearing. This surgery will eliminate this excessive skin and fat. The loose abdominal muscles will be tightened and the bulgeness will be eliminated. If pregnancy created stretch marks, most of them will be removed as well. Patients will be able to fit better in regular clothes and they will have a better self esteem.

Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?

An ideal candidate is a person in good physical shape, who has excessive skin and fat tissue localized in the lower abdomen, weakness on the abdominal musculature (usually caused by pregnancies), done with childbearing and stretch marks in the lower abdomen. In this kind of patients this surgery will dramatically improve the appearance of the abdomen.

How is a tummy tuck performed?

I perform this as an outpatient surgery, under general anesthesia. Preoperative markings are made with the patient in a standing position. This will assure me of the correct amount of tissue to be removed and the symmetry of the resulting scars. The abdominal skin and fat will be separated from the muscles. The belly bottom will be released and left in place. The muscles will be tightened with permanent sutures. Then the excess tissue will be removed, the new location of the belly bottom determined and the wounds closed.

How long does tummy tuck surgery take?

This surgery will take between 2 and 3 hours, depending in the size of the patient. Ocassionally patients will require some hips liposuction and if a mom makeover is performed then, additional time is required.

Is anesthesia used during the tummy tuck procedure?

I perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia in an accredited outpatient surgery center. I believe it is safer and it is more comfortable for the patient. Some surgeons are performing this in their own offices under local anesthesia and IV sedation. To me this is a questionable practice. During the procedure, I will use long acting local anesthesia injected into the muscle plication (suture tightening) areas and in the dissected area. Ocassionally I will use "pain pumps " which will deliver local anesthesia in the area for aprox. 3-5 days.