If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty.

Your Personal Consultation
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from abdominoplasty. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for abdominoplasty?
Your plastic surgeon may examine your abdomen while you are standing as well as lying down. Your skin tone and the degree of loose skin in the abdomen will be assessed. Your surgeon also will evaluate the amount of excess fat in your abdomen and the condition of your abdominal muscles.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, pregnancies, previous surgeries and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information.

Will my insurance help cover the cost of surgery?
Abdominoplasty, as an aesthetic (cosmetic) procedure, generally is not covered by insurance. In some instances, however, a patient may have a hernia and not just a spreading of the abdominal muscles. Insurance reimbursement may be available for that portion of the procedure that is not cosmetic. Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including the specific terms of your insurance policy. A letter of predetermination may be required by your insurance company prior to surgery. Your plastic surgeon or a staff member in your surgeon's office will discuss these matters with you.

How Abdominoplasty Is Performed

Where are the incisions placed?
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of this incision will vary somewhat according to the structure of your abdomen and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer. Your plastic surgeon will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but this may not always be possible.

Some patients have loose skin above the navel. In such cases, the surgeon may make a second incision around the navel so that the redundant skin above it can be pulled down. The excess abdominal skin is then removed. The position of the navel remains unchanged.

Skin of the lower abdomen that contains stretch marks may be removed as well. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened and improved, but you should not expect a dramatic change in their appearance.

The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using sutures.

What are some variations to the common abdominoplasty technique?

There are many variations both to the design of the incisions and the technique itself. In some instances, it may be possible to avoid an incision around the navel. When the amount of loose skin is minimal and the excess fat deposits are located below the navel, a short horizontal incision is all that is necessary. This procedure is called a partial, or mini tummy tuck.

Sometimes liposuction may be used alone, or in conjunction with mini tummy tuck, to remove abdominal fat. Endoscopic abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and may be useful when patients have only a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity.

Your plastic surgeon will discuss with you the particular method that he or she recommends for achieving the best result in your particular case.

Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Loose skin and fat can be caused by excessive weight loss, abdominal lipodystrophy, or in some people, it is an inherited trait. Tummy tucks can also tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy or advancing age.

A tummy tuck surgery is mostly performed to tighten the loose skin and tighten the weakened abdominal wall. Tummy tuck surgery may also be performed with Liposuction to help contour the stomach area. Tummy tuck surgery is performed by undermining the skin and tightening it in an incision along the panty line, which may be covered by clothing. The tummy tuck surgery is an outpatient surgery but some patients opt to stay overnight. You will have temporary drains inserted to help drain any excess fluid and to prevent internal bleeding or an infection.

Your tummy tuck consultation will include meeting your tummy tuck plastic surgeon. During the consultation, you will sit down and discuss the procedure, the risks and benefits, and the recovery process. After a thorough examination of your abdomen, your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will discuss the different tummy tuck surgeries they perform and determine which tummy tuck surgery will give you the best results.

You are a good candidate for a tummy tuck surgery if you have lost a large amount of weight through diet and exercise and have loose abdominal skin, have had multiple pregnancies, undergone weight loss surgery, suffer from obesity and have thin skin with minimal elasticity. Your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will consult with you to determine the amount of skin to be removed. During the tummy tuck surgery, your plastic surgeon will also tighten the underlying muscles that have been loosened through multiple pregnancies and excessive weight loss.

After tummy tuck surgery, you will be able to go home and relax. Your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will prescribe antibiotics and pain medication. Depending on the type of tummy tuck surgery your plastic surgeon has determined best for your needs, you will have drains to help remove any excess fluid from the tummy tuck surgery. You will have an elastic binder for your abdomen to help support your stomach and aid your comfort level. One day after your tummy tuck surgery, you will usually be able to shower and will be instructed to keep the tummy tuck surgery incisions clean. Your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will see you for follow up appointments to monitor your recovery and keep track of your healing progress.

The next few weeks following tummy tuck surgery, your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will recommend you begin light walking to promote circulation and prevent fluid build-up in your abdomen. Your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will discuss avoiding lifting, stretching and bending to avoid swelling and bleeding. You will continue to wear the elastic binder for six to eight weeks for comfort and support. Swelling and bruising are normal and will disappear over several weeks to a couple of months. It may take several months before you see your final results which then your tummy tuck plastic surgeon will continue to follow up with your progress and take after photos.

Please call us at 847.696.9900 or email us at prplastic@yahoo.com for a consultation.