Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a body contouring plastic surgery procedure involving several steps. Depending on the type of surgical technique used, some of the steps can vary from one patient to another. At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss about the steps involved in the tummy tuck procedure.
Patients with a solid understanding of tummy tuck surgery are usually better prepared to face the surgery and have reduced anxiety levels. Some surgeons may also encourage the patient to view a video of the procedure. Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.
Anesthesia
The surgeon may choose general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation to perform tummy tuck plastic surgery. The anesthesia may be performed by a qualified anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse who continue to monitor the patient throughout the procedure.
Incision Placement
The procedure will begin with the surgeon placing incisions in discreet locations in the abdominal area. The number and length of incisions will vary according to the technique applied. A major circumferential tummy tuck may involve an incision around the entire waist line, including the back. On the other hand, a partial abdominoplasty may only involve a small incision beneath the navel.
Navel Repositioning
Navel reposition may be performed to make the lifted and tightened abdomen appear more natural. The cosmetic surgeon will detach the navel from its original place and reattach it in a more youthful location. In some cases, a new navel may have to be sculpted.
Tightening of Loose Muscles
Some patients may have loose underlying abdominal muscles, which can be tightened during tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon will separate the abdominal skin from the abdominal walls through the incisions. The underlying muscles will then be pulled closer together and sutured into a position to give a more toned appearance to the abdomen.
Removing Excess Skin
Following muscle tightening, the surgeon will pull and stretch the skin downward to make it tighter and smoother. Excess skin will be trimmed away. Liposuction may be performed at this stage in some cases in order to remove excess fat. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.
Mitigating Stretch Marks
While removing of stretch marks is not one of the goals in tummy tuck surgery, it is often possible to reduce their appearance, depending on the location of the incisions. If the stretch marks are present beneath the navel, they may get removed along with excess skin. Even other stretch marks can become less conspicuous following tummy tuck surgery.
Closing the Incisions
Following the surgery, the surgeon will suture the skin together with surgical stitches. This will ensure natural closure of wounds over time. A surgical drain will be inserted below the skin to collect excess fluids and reduce the risk of infection. Stitches as well as surgical drains may be removed together in about one to two weeks after the surgery.
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