The “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty operation is commonly performed to remove excess lower tummy skin that often occurs following pregnancy. The purpose of this procedure is to re-contour the abdomen by removing excess skin and repair the muscles in the middle of the tummy that have been stretched out during pregnancy.
Surgery can also involve lifting the outer hips, inner thighs or even the buttocks, depending upon what is required. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia, unless only a small amount of skin in the lower tummy needs to be removed (as in a “mini-tummytuck”).
Liposuction is typically done at the same time to remove the “muffin top” areas of the waist and lower back.
The purpose of all the components of this operation is to restore the shape of the midsection to what it was before pregnancy. Stubborn fat deposits that occur during the pregnancy phase of life that don’t respond well to diet and exercise can be treated at the same time.
If you have excess skin and/or fat folds on your abdomen caused by weight loss following pregnancy, an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck may benefit you. The procedure can also typically improve the appearance of stretch marks. In fact, since stretch marks usually form within the lower tummy region, many are successfully removed during surgery.
A tummy tuck will enhance your shape by making your stomach firmer and flatter. Muscle repair is usually accomplished with a full abdominoplasty. The muscle repair component brings your muscles together again in the midline, building an ‘internal girdle’ that holds everything inside.
Other benefits from this form of surgery include: feeling full after small meals (since there is less room inside your stomach post-muscle tightening), enhanced contouring of the midsection, better fit for standard clothing, along with a general feeling of confidence from getting back to “the real you”.
Because lower tissues are also elevated during this operation, many women experience improved marital relations as their important anatomical parts are brought back to their original position.
Any operation that involves excision of skin will have scars associated with it. The standard abdominoplasty incision is made above the pubic area and extends in a horizontal line toward the pelvic bones. Effort is always taken to keep the incision below the line of a bathing suit or undergarment, and some patients opt for a “French Cut” so that high thigh cut bathing suits can be worn without revealing the incision site.
There are several approaches to this procedure depending upon the amount of skin and fat that requires removal. Dr. DeLorenzi is happy to speak with you regarding the method he feels will achieve the best results in your specific situation.
Yes and no. In some patients, where only a small amount of volume is missing in the upper part of the breast (so called “ski jump upper breast”), fat removed from the “muffin top” regions can be re-purposed to fill in the area. This is a relatively new procedure however and not all patients are candidates.
Women who desire a full breast lift will achieve better, safer results separating the procedures. Your personal safety and satisfaction are our most important priorities and these questions can be answered during your initial consultation.
It took quite a long time for these problems to develop: tissues stretched out, new fat pads developed, muscles gave way and extra skin formed. Correcting everything during a single session is a major operation. Consequently, you need to expect a significant period of recovery.
In a full tummytuck, the tissues from your groin all the way up to your ribs are lifted, then the muscles in the front of your stomach are tightened. If you have ever “pulled a muscle”, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Recovery from this type of operation greatly depends on whether muscle repair was performed.
Typically, patients may return to a desk job in about three weeks, but heavy lifting will not usually be permitted for six weeks following muscle repair. Recovery also varies according to the fitness level and age of the individual.
Patients who have had a “mini-tummytuck” will likely be able to return to work within a few days, but their results are more limited because less skin was removed and no muscle repair was done. This is a suitable choice for some people, depending on their clinical findings.
Dr. DeLorenzi will advise you further at consultation, where all your questions will be answered thoroughly. We take great pride in having the best informed patients.
While most surgeons use “drains”, Dr. DeLorenzi has a special technique that does not require them. Drains are tubes that go through the skin and into the surgical area to remove fluid to prevent its accumulation.
While bruising and swelling disappear over a few weeks, numbness in some areas of the abdomen may persist for several months. Most patients will have a small area of numb skin just below the belly button, above the incision site. Scars will be deep in colour for some time following surgery and will likely always be visible. In many cases, scars eventually fade to very faint lines, especially if the patient follow the recommended treatment path.
You will be given a pair of support compression off and put on, and a different one for when you are ready to wear your normal clothing. You may have to go shopping for new clothes or you may be able to go to the back of your closet to get out those nice outfits you have not worn for years.
We recommend against any long car rides or air flights in the first two weeks following surgery, so driving to your condo in Florida’ is not a good idea.
For patients having this full surgical operation, planning in advance to ensure a pleasant recovery is a must. If you have small children and a large family to care for without any help, we recommend waiting for such a time as when you can have a relative or close friend help you through the initial phases.
You cannot sit for long periods in the first week following your surgery, and most people feel tired and nap in the afternoon for the first two weeks.
We strongly recommend a strategy of regular movement and light activities following surgery, interspersed with regular rest periods. It is not a good idea to be a “super mom” all the time, especially when your body needs quality time to heal. If you are so stressed out that you can’t take a break, your healing may be adversely affected, and that’s when problems can occur.
Your healing tissue and immune system will require some genuine TLC. This is extremely important; too many women try to ignore their own well beings for the sake of their families. We strongly recommend against that.
You should plan on taking good care of yourself during your recovery period not in spite of your loved ones, but because of them. Having a friend or relative stay with you for the first weeks postop is strongly recommended, so that you can get the rest you need to heal properly. You can’t do this operation and chase around a house full of toddlers at the same time. That is a recipe for stress, fatigue and a horrible experience.
