Richmond Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty Virginia
Tummy Tuck – Dr. Burton M. Sundin – Richmond, Virginia
The “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The effect is a more trim and fit abdominal profile. The results reduce the protruding abdomen of the patient. A tummy tuck is particularly helpful to women whose abdomen has stretched through multiple pregnancies and has not returned to its natural shape.
Additionally, abdominoplasty is useful for those who have taken off substantial amounts of weight, but still suffer with loose, sagging skin along the beltline. The procedure can be done in conjunction with liposuction for additional body contouring.
An abdominoplasty can also be coupled with a breast lift or breast augmentation. When paired with breast lifting procedures to counteract sagging from pregnancies and aging, a “Mommy Makeover” effect can be achieved.
Abdominoplasty – Best Candidates
At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, we find the best candidates for abdominoplasty are women and men who are in good health and in relatively good shape, but are troubled by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that has not responded to diet or exercise. We often advise patients who are planning or attempting to lose significant amounts of weight to have the procedure performed after their weight loss has stabilized. Women who are contemplating future pregnancies are also counseled to wait before having the tummy tuck done.
Which Tummy Tuck is Right For Me?
There is a range of abdominoplasty procedures, and which procedure is performed depends on the needs of the individual patient. The Mini-Abdominoplasty is designed to target laxity and excess skin in the lower abdomen only. Patients who have no laxity or fullness in their upper abdomen are good candidates. The recovery and expense of a mini-abdominoplasty are both reduced. The scar is confined to the lower abdomen.
The Full Abdominoplasty is designed to address laxity and excess skin and fat in both the upper and lower abdomen. This procedure involves a repositioning of the belly button and a scar around the belly button as well as a lower abdominal scar. The muscular layer is tightened.
A Panniculectomy removes only excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles are not tightened, nor is the belly button repositioned. This procedure is used for massive weight loss or gastic-bypass patients who have a large amount of overhanging abdominal skin and fat. In some patients who meet criteria this can be reimbursed by insurance.
A Belt Lipectomy is a circumferential tummy tuck that addresses excess skin and fat on both the front and back. This is a more extensive form of the standard tummy tuck that is usually performed on patients who have lost a great deal of weight through gastric bypass surgery or massive weight loss.
Abdominoplasty Surgery Risks
Any surgery carries a risk of complication from bleeding or infection or, even more remotely, a reaction to the anesthesia. Other risks that are present with all surgeries include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Conscientiously following the doctor’s recommendations, both before and after any surgery, will greatly reduce your risk. Cessation of smoking and appropriate diet and exercise also decrease overall risks of surgery. Other possible risks would include infection, delayed wound healing and unfavorable drug reactions, unfavorable scarring, numbness, seroma formation, and rarely skin necrosis.
Abdominoplasty procedures are performed in such a way as to minimize the appearance of scars by placing them well below the beltline and by utilizing absorbable sutures placed beneath the skin.
Dr. Sundin will discuss other risks specific to abdominoplasty with you during your consultation.
Planning Your Abdominoplasty
At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sundin and his knowledgeable staff will take a thorough personal and family history to see whether you have any risk factors that could prove dangerous. Dr. Sundin will also explain all of the issues and topics surrounding tummy tuck procedures and what you can expect on an individual level. You and Dr. Sundin will discuss the different kinds of abdominoplasty and what makes sense for you. He will also discuss the length of the surgery and the kind of anesthesia used. Dr. Sundin always has time to discuss your concerns or your anxieties about the procedure.
In addition, Dr. Sundin will also explain about the use of abdominoplasty drains in the incision area, how these work, and why they are necessary. Because fluid can collect between the muscle layer in the abdomen and the skin flap, drains are necessary to keep this area as dry as possible and, as a result, infection-free. While, they are uncomfortable and a nuisance, the tummy tuck drains are very necessary for most tummy tuck patients.
Preparing For Your Tummy Tuck Surgery
If you have evidence of a hernia, Dr. Sundin may require you to get imaging studies before surgery. You’ll also get specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after procedure. It is likely you will be feeling some discomfort, and the doctor will provide for pain management. It is helpful to have a friend or family member help you around your home for a few days if needed.
If you would like a recovery nurse to assist you in the postoperative period, Dr. Sundin can arrange this for you, but this is not a requirement.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
All surgeries are performed at accredited outpatient surgery centers at the office location or at a separate location very near Dr. Sundin’s office. Currently Dr. Sundin utilizes surgery centers located on the St. Mary’s and Henrico Doctor’s Forest campuses. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, for cost containment and convenience. Admission to the hospital is only necessary for larger surgeries or multiple procedure combinations, which require longer anesthesia. Typically such admissions last only one to two days.
Types of Anesthesia
Tummy tucks are usually performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll sleep through the operation. In selected patients – particularly when a smaller incision is being made – Dr. Sundin may use local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy and relaxed. In either case, you will feel minimal or no discomfort during the surgery.
Abdominoplasty Surgery
Tummy tucks usually take 2 and 6 hours, depending on the extent of sagging skin and/or irregularities in the skin. When coupled with liposuction procedures or breast procedures, surgery times are longer.
In typical tummy tuck procedures, the incision will run from hip to hip in a downward curve. All efforts are made to keep this incision below the bikini line.
After Your Tummy Tuck Surgery
After surgery, you will notice bruising, swelling, and your abdomen and torso may be uncomfortable for a day or two, but there shouldn’t be severe pain. Dr. Sundin will prescribe medication that will relieve any discomfort you do feel. You will have gauze bandages over your sutures and you will be advised to minimize any heavy lifting or aerobic activity.
A common concern is some loss of feeling in your skin caused by the swelling after surgery. This lack of sensation usually reverses as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it can last a year or more, and, rarely, the loss of sensitivity may be permanent.
Additionally, most patients need to have drainage tubes placed in the abdomen to assist in the removal of fluid build-up called seroma formation. The drainage tubes need to be kept clean and the fluid removed at least daily (sometimes more) and measured. These findings should be reported to Dr. Sundin when his office calls you in follow-up.
If you have any other issues during the recuperative process, you should contact Dr. Sundin at Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery at once.
Getting Back To Normal
Healing is a gradual process and everyone’s progress is different. You will probably feel like getting up and around in three or four days, but don’t plan on returning to your normal activities and pace for a week or two at the very least. Depending on how you feel, it may take longer. If you have any unusual symptoms or other concerns, you will be instructed to contact Dr. Sundin.
Each patient will be given detailed instructions for resuming their normal activities. Every patient is asked to not lift anything heavy over their head for 3 to 4 weeks regardless of the procedure. In addition, you may be instructed to avoid sex for a period of time and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month or more depending on your recovery. After that, you can resume these activities slowly and as your level of discomfort and your stamina permits.
Your New Body Contour
At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sundin makes every effort to deliver a satisfying cosmetic result with each tummy tuck procedure. Scars from tummy tuck surgery often appear bumpy and quite red at first. Gradually, over time, the scars become less obvious, sometimes even fading to less noticeable white lines. How faithfully the patient adheres to Dr. Sundin’s pre- and post-op recommendations greatly improve the patient’s healing. Dr. Sundin will start you on a specialized postoperative regimen of scar treatment and massage.
Bare in mind that a tummy tuck won’t keep you fit and trim forever — gravity, aging, weight fluctuations, even pregnancy, can take their toll on your abdomen again.
Dr. Sundin’s vast experience with patients just like you helps him guide you to a successful tummy tuck result. At Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, we know that your satisfaction with your tummy tuck surgery is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic. We welcome your questions and look forward to your first visit with us.
Some content provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
