Tummy Tuck - Is A Flat Stomach In Your Future


by Jeff Zwiren, MD - Date: 2008-12-25 - Word Count: 435 Share This!

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck,  removes excess skin and fat from theabdomen.  An important component of  most abdominoplasties is to tighten the looseabdominal muscles.  It is these muscles andoverlying fascia that become permanently overstretched following apregnancy.  A properly performedabdominoplasty will make a  remarkabledifference in the appearance of the abdomen restoring not only shape butconfidence as well.  With allsurgical  procedures there is a downside.  An abdominoplasty cannot be donewithout creating a transverse low abdominal scar, similar to a C section butlonger.  The up side is that the scar canbe hidden under most bathing suits and underwear.   There are many women who are good candidatesfor this procedure.  It is especiallyuseful in women who have stretched out skin and extra fat of the abdomenfollowing pregnancy and weight loss.  Thereis a new category of patients who desire abdominoplasty surgery.  This is the massive weight loss patient.  


Most abdominoplasty procedures take approximately 3 to 4 hours depending on thesize problem and the amount of contouring that is required.  The operation is typically performed undergeneral anesthesia and may require an overnight stay.  There is a 1 to 2 week recovery time neededfollowing an abdominoplasty.  To ease therecovery process a pain pump can be inserted. This is a syringe type mechanism that delivers a dilute Novacaine typeanesthetic to the surgical zone.  Thisgeneral speeds recovery and decreases the amount of pain medicationrequired.  By the third to the forth weekmost patients are building their way back to normal activities. 

 

Following surgery a taped dressing is applied directly tothe incision.  This may be left intactfor the first week.  The superficialbandages can be changes as needed.  Therewill be a closed suction drain exiting the skin.  This is to remove any accumulated fluid underthe skin. 
 
You will be instructed to empty and record your drain output each day.   The drains will be removed after 7 to 10days depending upon the out put.  Ingeneral we like for there to be less than 30 cc for a 24 hour period.   An elastic abdominal binder is applied togive you support and to aid with soft tissue contouring.  Never use a heating pad directly over asurgical area.  The skin may havedecreased sensation and it is possible develop a severe burn. 
 

It is important to walk about during the recoveryperiod.  Think of your calves as apump.  Whenever you are walking thecalves are pumping to prevent blood from stagnating in the calves.  This will help to avoid the complication ofdeep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Over the first 2 - 3 weeks you will gradually get back to normalactivities.   Following these simpleinstructions will promote a smooth recovery.

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 Dr. Zwiren has lived in the Atlanta Area since 1961.  His medical education was at Emory UniversitySchool of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Hecompleted a plastic surgery fellowship at OhioState.  He is board certified by the American Boardof Plastic Surgery and pratices at  PrimaCenterfor Plastic Surgery  in Duluth Georgia. 

  Dr. Zwiren 's primaryinterests are aesthetic surgery and age management. He is currently conductinga research product in methods to improve the quality of the skin.

 

 

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