Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that can give you a slimmer more contoured waist and a flatter abdomen in one surgery by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal wall muscles. This procedure yields excellent results after significant weight loss by removing the skin that has lost its elasticity and has become lax, and repairing the loose or stretched muscles, known as diastasis. It may also be the appropriate procedure for changes that may simply occur with age, previous surgery, or hereditary factors.

Abdominoplasty may be performed in conjunction with other procedures such as CoolSculpting® or liposuction to create slimming body contours.

During your consultation with Dr. Buono, she will discuss with you your aesthetic desires and determine what procedure(s) will best achieve and align with realistic expectations. Dr. Buono will also help you design a postoperative plan to incorporate a healthy lifestyle and exercise routine to ensure optimal results.

PROCEDURES

There are different types of Abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck, procedures that Dr. Buono will discuss with you, and which one that will be best for you based on your specific aesthetic goals.

MINI TUMMY TUCK

The mini tummy tuck removes the skin from the lower abdomen only and does not affect the upper abdomen. However, it can be performed in conjunction with liposuction of the upper abdomen and surrounding areas to yield the best result.

FULL TUMMY TUCK

The full tummy tuck will remove excess and lax skin between the umbilicus (belly button) and the pubic region. The skin is then repositioned to overlie the area in which the lax skin was removed, thus tightening the skin of the abdomen. Additionally, the Full Tummy Tuck will correct the diastasis (the stretched and loose rectus abdominus muscles). As with the Mini Tummy Tuck, Liposuction may also be performed during this procedure to sculpt and contour the other areas of the torso to achieve the desired result.

EXTENDED TUMMY TUCK

This procedure is essentially a Full Tummy Tuck the area of skin removal is extended to include skin on both sides of the abdomen

RECOVERY

Dr. Buono will explain the recovery period to you in detail at the time of your consultation. She encourages her patients to come with questions. For Abdominoplasty, you can plan ahead for a week off from work if your job is sedentary. Drains will be removed and dressings will be changed at your one week postoperative appointment. Dr. Buono is strict when requiring no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for a six week period. A body garment will also be worn for support and additional comfort.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Possible risks come with all surgical procedures and will be discussed in great detail at the time of your consultation. Length of scar will vary based on the type of abdominoplasty and the quality of the scar will vary between patients. Those who tend to develop thickened scars (hypertrophic scars or keloids) may or may not after abdominoplasty, however, these scars may be treated with a specific product or medications if necessary.

WHAT ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY WON’T DO

Abdominoplasty does not address what is known as visceral fat. Visceral fat gives the appearance of a round, full abdomen. Weight loss through diet and exercise is required to decrease visceral fat. Dr. Buono can discuss a plan with you during your consultation if you are not an immediate candidate for Abdominoplasty.