What is Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck - Who is this for?
If you have loose or sagging abdominal skin or of you are unable to tighten your abdomen with exercise, you could be a candidate for an Abdominoplasty, also known as the "Tummy Tuck". This surgery has provided great benefit to many people who have had pregnancies or a considerable weight loss that has resulted in loose skin or weak abdominal musculature. This is one of my most popular procedures. 

For patients with little to no lose skin, but laxity of the lower abdominal wall, a mini-tummy tuck may be an option. I will discuss this at the time of your office consult. 

About the Abdominoplasty Procedure
An Abdominoplasty involves surgically removing the redundant skin (or rolls) and fat from the lower abdomen. I also usually tighten the abdominal muscles to decrease the abdominal bulge. It is imperative that you bring your favorite bikini bottom or underwear to the operating room, since I will make my incisions to follow the line of your clothes so that that scar is hidden as much as possible.

In addition to a smoother, flatter abdomen, a bonus for this process is that it often eliminates most stretch marks on the lower abdomen as well. Many patients will combine Liposuction or Breast Procedures at the same time as an Abdominoplasty. At the time of your consultation, I will discuss with you if an abdominoplasty is the best procedure for you, or if something else would be better for you, such as liposuction alone. Not everyone is a candidate for a tummy tuck. 

What Post-Op care is required for Abdominoplasty?
All of my Abdominoplasties are done on an outpatient basis, and most patients experience very little pain afterwards. The surgery itself takes about 2.5 hours.

I often place small drainage tubes which exit in the pubic area so that these small scars are hidden. These tubes are removed painless in the office in 5-7 days after surgery. They simply slide out and no sutures are required as the small holes will quickly close and heal on their own. I have my patients up and walking immediately after surgery and caution them against walking hunched over - this will only lead to a sore back! 4-6 weeks after an Abdominoplasty, you may resume sports, sit-up and more strenuous activities