Tummy Tuck
About Tummy Tuck Surgery in New York
Am I suitable for tummy tuck surgery?
This will be decided at your consultation. During your consultation Dr. Klapper will ask you about your general medical history including details about any previous abdominal surgery, or childbirth. Women who plan to become pregnant imminently should usually postpone the operation until after their family is complete.
If you are a smoker you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking seriously constricts blood vessels and therefore decreases blood flow to a given area resulting in poor healing. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications can cause increased bleeding, so you must avoid these.
A physical examination will determine if you are a candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure. Abdominoplasty should not be performed to correct obesity. Heavier patients will be disappointed even if measures such as extending the incision and liposuction are performed. This is because there will still be substantial fullness in the flanks, upper torso and buttocks which will contrast with a tighter abdomen. To avoid this disappointment and to minimize the need for a secondary procedure, the best candidates are men and women who are within several pounds of their ideal weight.
As mentioned there are a number of variations in the technique of abdominoplasty. The decision will be based on the quality of your skin, the presence of stretch marks, the laxity of your muscles, and the amount and distribution of fat. A definite decision can only be made at the consultation after a proper examination. However, broadly speaking, if you have loose muscle and excess skin in both the upper and lower abdominal areas with only modest fat deposits you will most likely require a full abdominoplasty.
If however you have loose skin confined mainly to the lower abdominal area but have retained good skin and muscle tone above the umbilicus with little or no excess fat, then a "mini tuck" may be used. Alternatively if this is accompanied by modest excess fat in the upper abdomen then liposuction may be used in conjunction with the "mini tuck" to improve the result.
Remember to always be open in discussing your expectations at the consultation. Dr. Klapper will also be frank with you and together you will work at choosing the procedure that is right for you and which will come closest to achieving the desired result.
What does tummy tuck surgery involve?
On the day of surgery Dr. Klapper will ask you to arrive in your favorite undergarment or bathing suit so that your incisions can be personalized to you. In the full abdominoplasty, you must understand that there is a long incision made within the so called "bikini line" just above the pubic area, from hip to hip. The skin and fat is then raised off the abdominal wall up to the umbilicus. A second incision is made around the umbilicus, in a measure to free this from the surrounding tissue. Once this is done, the skin and fat flap of tissue initially lifted, is continued to be peeled off the abdominal muscles, leaving the umbilicus on a stalk all the way up to the border of the lower rib cage. The exposed muscles are then tightened as necessary by stitching them together creating a firmer abdominal wall and a narrower waist. This acts like an internal corset, bringing in the waistline and giving you an hourglass appearance.
The raised tissue is then stretched downwards towards the initial incision and any extra tissue is removed. The incision is subsequently sutured closed but not and a new hole is made for the umbilicus. Drainage tubes are usually placed under the skin to collect any excess fluid that may accumulate. These are removed when fluid production has ceased (usually at your first postoperative visit).
What type of anesthetic is used?
Abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia (completely asleep). You will usually require an overnight stay at the hospital.
How long does tummy tuck surgery take?
Depending on the technique used, and whether this is combined with any other surgery such as liposuction, it usually takes between 1-3 hours.