Tummy Tuck
Even with a good diet and regular exercise, you may have difficulty realizing a flat and toned tummy. The changes associated with aging, pregnancy, and significant weight loss are normal, and they can affect the shape of your abdomen by producing loose skin, fatty tissue, and weakened muscles. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, involves the removal of extra skin and fatty tissues and tightening of the lax muscles. Your overall shape might also benefit from liposuction at the same time.
The incision is placed above the pubic area to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen.
Candidates for Abdominoplasty
A good candidate for a tummy tuck is at a stable weight, and smoking is strongly discouraged. Different surgical options include the traditional full abdominoplasty or the less invasive “mini-abdominoplasty.” We approach each patient individually, based on your body, to help you achieve your goals. Tummy tucks are often performed on an outpatient basis at our Virginia Center for Plastic Surgery.
After Your Tummy Tuck
Most patients can expect to wear a fitted compression garment or binder covering your lower torso during the recovery period. Many patients also benefit from use of a “pain pump” for their procedure. This helps keep you comfortable for the days following the surgery while local anesthetic medicine slowly bathes the deeper abdominal tissues and muscle at a safe, controlled rate. After the “pain pump” is empty, it is easily removed with no discomfort. You may need to wear a compression garment or an abdominal binder for the first several weeks of recovery after your procedure.
