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Abdominal Contouring (“Tummy Tuck”)
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By Dr. Stephen J. Ronan, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery
Age, pregnancy or weight loss cause many changes in the body, especially in the abdomen. The ability of the abdomen to ‘rebound’ after childbirth decreases with each delivery. The typical patient that presents for abdominal contouring complains of extra skin, stretch marks, extra fat, and/or a stretched or loose abdominal wall. Some patients complain that they can’t see their belly button and others that their clothes don’t fit properly. The abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” procedure can address all of these issues.
The abdominoplasty is completed through an incision made across the lower abdomen in an area that is usually covered by undergarments. If there is too much skin, then skin is removed. If there is too much fat, then fat is removed. If the muscles or fascia are damaged, then they are repaired.
Sit-ups and other exercises may strengthen the muscles but no amount of sit-ups can bring the abdominal wall back into its normal, unstretched position. During the abdominoplasty operation, these muscles are plicated, or tightened, with sutures. This achieves a flatter and tighter abdominal wall.
Fat is a normal part of our bodies and can accumulate in predictable locations. These locations change somewhat with genetics, but in general, the amount of fat that lives on our lower abdomen is more than the fat on our upper abdomen. Pinch the skin of your upper stomach... now pinch the skin of the lower stomach. You probably felt like there was more to pinch on the lower stomach. A tummy tuck uses this naturally occurring difference to improve the contour of your stomach.
Tummy tucks are often combined with other procedures, such as liposuction of the lower back or thighs, and/or a breast augmentation or lift. The outpatient procedure takes about an hour and most patients return to work in about 10 days. With the use of three day numbing, pain after surgery is significantly reduced and in some cases, eliminated.
If you are interested in learning more about abdominal contouring or any other aesthetic procedure, please visit our office in the Blackhawk Plaza or call (925) 736-5757 for a complimentary consultation.
