ABDOMINOPLASTY

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE:

An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is performed on individuals who have loose, wrinkled, or sometimes scarred skin (stretch marks, etc.) in the abdominal area. The musculature of the abdomen may or may not need to be tightened at the same time as excess skin is removed.

In many cases, excess subcutaneous fat (that which lies between the muscles and the skin) is suctioned off with liposuction either before or along with the tummy tuck. This rids the abdomen of fatty bulk and allows the area to appear smoother, flatter, and thus, more pleasing in appearance.

Excess skin, fatty deposits, and weak abdominal muscles are often the result of large weight gain during pregnancy or extreme weight gain or loss. Disproportional abdominal weight distribution can also be due to hereditary causes.

There are basically two categories of abdominoplasty, mini and full.

Full Abdominoplasty  (Tummy Tuck)

A full or extensive abdominoplasty is used for tightening the muscle structure and removing excess skin from the upper and the lower abdomen. An incision is made in the mid/lower abdomen under the belly button area, and the skin is then lifted up to the rib cage area. Another small incision is made around the belly button itself so it can be freed from the rest of the skin and brought out through another place on the abdomen as the upper skin is pulled downward, tightened, and repositioned. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the area is stitched together with the lower skin.

Liposuction to remove the fatty deposits in the subcutaneous layer between the muscles and the skin is usually performed in conjunction with the abdominoplasty or sometimes prior to the abdominoplasty.

Click HERE to see before and after photos of this procedure.

This involves the removal of excess skin, usually along with liposuction for fat removal, from below the umbilicus or belly button. The crescent type incision is placed just above or at the supra-pubic hairline. Usually the belly button is untouched.

Muscles can also be tightened in the lower abdomen.

Click HERE to see photos of this procedure.

POST CARE

The patient is required to wear a firm compression support garment for a month to six weeks to achieve maximum shrinkage and a smoother appearance. Physical activities will also be limited.

Occasionally people have a pouchy muscle wall, due to heredity or loss of muscle tone, but they do not have excess loose skin.

In these cases, a minimally invasive procedure is used to tighten the muscle structure. A tiny incision is made in the umbilicus or supra-pubic hairline, and a small endoscope is inserted so the surgeon can view the muscles through a special monitor and tighten them with sutures.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURES

(1) Dr. Miles performs the surgery in his fully-accredited, out-patient surgical suite.

(2) General or local IV sedation may be used.

(3) Patients are sent home with post-care instruction sheets, as well as pain and rest medication.

(4) An appropriate compression garment will be supplied to aid healing and skin shrinkage.

(5) Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for a several weeks.

(6) Depending upon the extent of the procedure performed, patients are usually able to resume routine activities within a week.

(7) Although it takes time to see the full result (after swelling has subsided and the incision site has healed), patients usually notice a difference in proportion within a few weeks.

(8) The scars will be hidden in the lower abdomen.

Click HERE to see before and after photos of this procedure.

Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas (TX).

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Dr. Miles specializes in facial and full body cosmetic plastic surgery and his practice is located in Dallas, Texas. Patients from the following areas and cities: Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Garland, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Lubbock, Irving, Forest Hill, Southland, 
Mansfield, Allen, Frisco, Denton, Carrollton, Lewisville, Waxahachie, Corsicana, Sherman Denison, Texas (TX), and Little Rock, Arkansas (AR), New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), Santa Fe, Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM), Tulsa, Oklahoma (OK), Topeka, Kansas (KS), Jefferson, Missouri (MO) can conveniently schedule appointments in our Dallas, Texas office.

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