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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a tummy tuck, is a major surgical procedure
performed by the Manhattan, Plastic Surgeon, to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to
tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The tummy tuck procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, but bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery
required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
The abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck"
surgery, performed by the NYC Plastic surgeon, is designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen in both male and female patients.
An incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area, usually under general anesthesia. Dr. Senderoff then separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs. The muscles of the abdomen are then
tightened. The lifted skin is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is made for the navel. The incisions are then closed with stitches.
The tummy tuck procedure is performed by
the Manhattan Plastic Surgeon in about two hours, and is usually performed under either a general or epidural anesthesia. Different techniques may be used depending on the needs of the patient, the presence of scars, and amount of fat that needs to
be contoured. Additional procedures such as liposuction can be combined with a tummy tuck to further improve the appearance and contour of the patient's abdomen.
The Surgery
Patients considering a tummy tuck can choose either a complete or partial procedure. A full abdominoplasty begins with an incision above the pubic area that extends between the hipbones. The surgeon then makes a second incision to separate the navel from
the underlying tissue. Next, the skin is separated and pulled up to the level of the ribs. The surgeon pulls the abdominal muscles together and stitches them into position. The navel is then relocated and stitched into place. The surgeon replaces the
skin (excess skin is trimmed) and sutures the original incisions. A complete tummy tuck takes between two and five hours and may or may not be outpatient based.
Alternative Procedures
If fat deposits are limited to the region below the navel, you may only need a partial abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck). In this procedure, a smaller incision is made, leaving the navel in place. The surgeon stretches the flap of skin down, removes
excess fat and tissue, and stitches the flap back into place. The partial procedure lasts one to two hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
After Surgery
Immediately following surgery, the incisions are dressed with bandages to keep the skin in place. A tube may be inserted to drain any excess fluid that has collected. Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort, although your doctor can
prescribe medication to alleviate these symptoms. Stitches are usually removed five to ten days following surgery, although deeper sutures may take up to three weeks. The specifics of each procedure, as well as duration of hospitalization and type of
anesthesia (general or local), will vary among individuals.
Tummy Tuck is done on an outpatient basis and take from one to two hours. Recovery to most activity is about a week. Strenuous abdominal exercise is usually resumed in 3-4 weeks.
The tummy tuck procedure is performed by
the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, in our fully accredited outpatient surgical facility in Manhattan,
New York.
If you have any questions about abdominoplasty
(tummy tuck) or any other plastic surgery procedures please feel free to
contact the Plastic Surgeon at his Manhattan or Westchester office.
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