You’ve worked hard to lose weight and tone your abs through diet and exercise. But, achieving your desired weight doesn’t always mean achieving your desired shape. At Aesthetic Surgical Images in Omaha, tummy tuck – also called abdominoplasty – can be an effective surgical option for men and women who are tired of endless sit-ups with limited results.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
A tummy tuck results in a comprehensive reshaping of the abdomen. Your overall experience and your outcome are of the utmost importance to our entire staff of warm, caring professionals.
Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation to discuss abdominoplasty with one of our Omaha plastic surgeons at Aesthetic Surgical Images or call us at 800-331-5001.
Tummy Tuck: What Are your options?
Understanding Tummy Tuck
Even people with a healthy body weight can have a protruding tummy or loose, sagging skin. Heredity, pregnancies and significant weight loss or gain can contribute to this problem. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the underlying muscles resulting in a flatter, tighter tummy.
During your initial consultation, one of our skilled surgeons will take the time to understand your goals, discuss realistic expectations and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. We can also help you visualize your results using our state-of-the-art computer imaging system. While the image is not an assurance of results, it will help you understand realistic surgical improvements.
Tummy Tuck: A Step-by-Step Look
Your Tummy Tuck procedure
An abdominoplasty re-contours the entire abdomen. It is typically performed for men and women who have excess skin of the abdomen, loose abdominal musculature and excess fat. If you are healthy and your weight is relatively stable, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Omaha-area women who are done having children are particularly fond of the procedure because it can also get rid of stretch marks on the lower part of the belly.
Aesthetic Surgical Images performs tummy tuck surgery under general anesthesia. The primary incision runs horizontally across the lower abdomen and is carefully placed so that it is covered by most swimsuits and undergarments. This allows your surgeon to repair weakened muscles and remove excess skin for a flatter, smoother tummy. A second incision is made around the navel, which is repositioned for a more natural result.
Many patients who choose tummy tuck surgery also have an Omaha liposuction procedure on their hips and waist for a more complete makeover. And, oftentimes, breast reduction, breast lift or breast augmentation for Omaha area moms completes their Mommy Makeover.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
A tummy tuck is a relatively involved surgical procedure, so expect to go through a significant amount of “down time” to allow for recovery. As long as you plan appropriately there should not be any surprises or disillusion about the process. A lot of patients compare the recovery to their experience with a C-section (except without the added discomfort of the manipulation inside of the abdomen itself). The incision is usually more numb than painful, and there is just a generalized achiness of the whole area. Also, you cannot (and should not) stand up fully straight for the first week or so to avoid too much tension on the incision. Most patients take their pain medicine around the clock for the first 24 hours, but after that you are able to start tapering off of them quickly, and usually are completely done with the medicine by 5-7 days after surgery. Expect, however to have SOME soreness for at least a few weeks.
After surgery patients typically have a binder or support garment on their mid-section. This gives compression and provides support to control the swelling. This is typically worn for 4-6 weeks depending on healing and swelling. Usually, there are also drainage tubes in place. The elevation of the flap of skin and fat leaves a raw surface area internally, and there is a potential space underneath it that can collect blood or fluid and cause trouble healing.
The drains siphon off this extra fluid so that the tissue flap can seal down and heal. At first the body makes a lot of fluid. As you continue to heal there is less fluid produced and eventually it gets to a low enough amount that your body can handle it, and then the drains can come out. While the drains are in you need to care for them. This involves cleaning around them and recording the output daily. On average the drains remain in for 7-10 days, but that can vary considerably from one patient to the next.
Typically after surgery you will return to the clinic the next day to check for early problems and your surgeon will instruct you how to care for things. The next visit is often around one week after surgery and by then you may be ready for a drain to be removed. Your doctor will also look for signs of infection and monitor healing. Weekly visits after that are the norm until drains and stitches are out and healing is well underway. Most patients consider themselves to be back to normal, healed and done with any restrictions by about 2-3 months after surgery. Once things settle down, your doctor will still want to see you periodically until you are completely healed (about 9-12 months) and then take post-op photos and make sure that all of your goals have been achieved.
A tummy tuck is a great procedure to repair the damages that occur from pregnancy and weight gain/loss, but realize it is not a walk in the park! It is so important to go into the procedure understanding what is going to happen and allow adequate time for healing so that you have a smooth recovery and get the best results possible. You should always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck procedure.
Enjoying your results
As a major surgery, our patients need to plan for several days of recovery time before they feel back to their usual selves. Following your post-surgical instructions will help to maximize comfort and results. Our patients consistently tell us that their new, slimmer shape has helped them look and feel great in their clothes and has renewed their self-confidence. See for yourself the difference a tummy tuck can make when you visit our before & after photo gallery.
Related Articles
- Which procedures can be performed at the same time?
- How long is it safe to be under anesthesia during a mommy makeover?
- Does liposuction tighten loose skin?
- Should you lose weight before or after liposuction?
- Guidelines for Tummy Tuck Recovery
“Dr Bruneteau did an excellent job with my tummy tuck and lipo of thighs. I would definitely recommend him for anyone interested in having a plastic surgery procedure! Very good bedside manner as well- and was very patient answering all of my questions”
5 StarsKel0777
Tummy Tuck FAQs
The basic difference between a mini-tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck is that the belly button is not repositioned during the course of a mini-tummy tuck and the muscles may not be tightened. In a mini-tummy tuck the improvement is generally restricted to the lower part of the abdomen between belly button and the pubic bone. The incisions for a mini tummy tuck are shorter and a limited amount of skin is removed. In a full tummy tuck the tightening goes up to the rib cage margin and allows the surgeon to tighten the muscle layer from the rib margin down to the bottom of the abdomen. When this operation is performed it requires that the navel is kept at the same level and be brought out through a new incision after the skin is pulled down.
Your surgeon will carefully evaluate you during your consultation. If he or she feels that liposuction alone will leave you with loose skin but does not feel that you need a full tummy tuck, then a mini tummy tuck may be recommended.
Many women who undergo child bearing develop a separation of their abdominal muscles. Unfortunately this separation cannot be improved with exercise and sit ups. In order to correct this problem, specialized stitches in the muscle area are required. Once the muscle is tightened the excess skin and fat is removed, the abdomen has undergone the maximum amount of recontouring.
Complete recovery from a fully tummy tuck may take 6-8 weeks. During the first ten days to two weeks you will usually remain at home resting comfortably. During this time patients are encouraged to walk around the house. After the initial recovery you will ease back into your daily activities during the next 2-3 weeks. You should refrain from heavy exercise for 6-8 weeks after the operation.
Tummy Tuck Following Pregnancy
Taking the next step
Take some time to learn more about tummy tuck surgery and decide if it’s right for you. Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation with Aesthetic Surgical Images online or call (402) 390-0100 or (800) 331-5001. Our entire staff is committed to providing you with superior care in a safe, comfortable atmosphere.
Why Choose Aesthetic Surgical Images
- For almost 20 years, Aesthetic Surgical Images in Omaha has earned a reputation as one of the top plastic surgery practices in the Midwest.
- Dr. Edney completed his 5-year residency in general surgery at Creighton University and subsequently received his board certification in general surgery.
- Dr. Marie Montag has been in practice since 1997 and is a Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- Dr. Bruneteau completed a fellowship in microvascular surgery at the University of California and a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston; also, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
- Dr. Biggerstaff completed his plastic surgery training at the University of California, Irvine; also, he is board eligible.