You’ve worked hard to lose weight and tone your abs through diet and exercise in your quest for an improved quality of life. But, achieving your desired weight doesn’t always mean achieving your desired shape. At Aesthetic Surgical Images in Omaha, an affordable and reliable location, 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. This treatment targets the abdominal wall and can improve self-esteem while taking into account the risks and potential scars associated with surgical procedures. Our professional team is eager to answer your questions and bring you the latest news about this transformative procedure, complete with before and after photographs, links to authoritative sources, and examples of real-life success stories.
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, known for their excellent bedside manner during consultations. With our partnership with some of the region’s top-rated hospitals, we offer a range of treatment options to cater to your specific condition, ensuring your well-being is in good hands.
Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation to discuss abdominoplasty with one of our Omaha plastic surgeons at Aesthetic Surgical Images. To schedule an appointment, simply call (402) 390-0100. For example, they will provide valuable information about the treatment, addressing any concerns regarding risks, scars from the procedure, and providing a detailed breakdown of other options available to suit your needs, all in the comfort of our convenient location.
Tummy Tuck: What Are your options?
Tummy Tuck: A Step-by-Step Look
Tummy Tuck Following Pregnancy
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
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.
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. Remember, our caring staff will be with you throughout the process, guiding you during consultations, diagnosis, and monitoring your healing as you recover from this transformative procedure. Since the cost of the surgery and hospital stay might be a concern, it’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand the coverage details and have access to a range of viable ne+ighbor hospitals to ensure smooth recovery. When can I sleep on my side after a tummy tuck is a common question among patients, and reviews suggest that getting proper rest in the correct position is important for your recovery. As long as you plan appropriately and make use of any available service, 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 site is usually more numb than painful, and there is just a generalized achiness in the affected areas. Also, you cannot (and should not) stand up fully straight for the first week or so to avoid too much tension on the incision in case it impacts the healing tissues. 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. During this time, fillers such as Botox might not be suitable candidates for use, due to the risk of complications with your healing organs.
After the surgery, patients typically have a binder or support garment on their midsection, acting as a wall of compression to provide support to control the swelling. This is a crucial way to maintain health and minimize complications during recovery. This garment 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, causing possible scarring and trouble healing.
The drains siphon off this extra fluid so that the tissue flap can seal down and heal the symptoms caused by fluid buildup. At first, the body makes a large number of fluids. 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 the insertion site and recording the output daily. Test results and doctor’s advice will determine the best time for drain removal. If the tummy tuck drains are removed too soon, it can have a lot of consequences. 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 on 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 in various areas. Weekly visits after that are the norm until drains and stitches are out and healing is well underway. During these visits, you might need to undergo additional tests to ensure proper recovery. Most patients consider themselves to be back to normal, healed and done with any restrictions by about 2-3 months after surgery. Normal activities such as flying after a tummy tuck need to be consulted first with the plastic surgeon. 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 allowing adequate time for healing so that you have a smooth recovery and get the best results possible.Careful planning, studying, and being well-informed can significantly reduce the risks associated with this surgery. You should always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck procedure. Various types of tummy tuck treatments are available, and the surgeon will help you choose the best one based on factors like your age and overall health. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, the person may also discuss other details such as medications, access to facilities like MRI scans, and the price of the procedure during the consultation. Enjoying Your Tummy Tuck Results
Enjoying Your Tummy Tuck Results
As a major surgery, our patients need to plan for several days of recovery time before they feel back to their usual selves. In some cases, doctors may recommend a specific type and duration of recovery depending on the patient’s age and overall health. Following your post-surgical instructions will help to maximize comfort and results, ridding your stomach of excess fatty tissue. 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, which showcases a diverse content of transformations, backed up by data and patient testimonials.
Related Articles
- Body Contouring and How It Can Help Reshape Your Body
- 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?
- The Risks of Removing Your Tummy Tuck Drain Too Early
“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 the 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. In some cases, a scan or an ultrasound may also be conducted to help make the decision. These advanced diagnostic tools, like MRI exams, can provide invaluable data to guide the surgeon’s decision-making process
Many women who undergo childbearing 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 are removed, and the abdomen has undergone the maximum amount of recontouring. This procedure is often performed in a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.
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.
If you live in the state of Nebraska, Aesthetic Surgical Images offers tummy tucks among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page, which provides information on facility access and availability.
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-Certified Plastic Surgeon.