A tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, is a popular cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the abdomen. It aims to remove excess skin and fat, tighten the underlying muscles, and create a firmer and more contoured abdominal profile. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the details of a tummy tuck, including its definition, benefits, types, complementary procedures, ideal timing, the recovery process, scars, and the importance of a tummy tuck consultation.

What is a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure that addresses many of the aesthetic concerns about the abdominal area. The tummy tuck involves removing excess skin, fat, and additional unwanted tissues.  While doing so, the surgery team also repairs the weakened abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) giving the abdomen a more defined and toned appearance. This procedure is often sought by individuals who have undergone significant weight gain and loss, experienced pregnancy and childbirth trauma or have had contour changes to their bodies due to a myriad of other general surgical procedures.  

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck can offer several benefits, including:

• Improved Abdominal Contour: By removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscles, a tummy tuck can significantly improve the contour and shape of the abdomen. It provides a smoother, flatter, and more toned appearance.
  
  
• Enhanced Body Proportions: A tummy tuck can help achieve a more proportionate body silhouette by addressing the excess skin and fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise alone. It can restore balance and harmony to the overall body shape.
  
  
• Increased Abdominal Muscle Strength: For individuals with weakened or separated abdominal muscles, a tummy tuck can restore strength and stability to the core. This can improve posture, alleviate back pain, and enhance overall abdominal strength.

Types of Tummy Tucks

There are different types of tummy tucks, including:

• Traditional/Full Tummy Tuck: A traditional tummy tuck involves a horizontal incision made from hip to hip, allowing the surgeon to remove excess skin, tighten the abdominal muscles, and reposition the belly button. This procedure is suitable for individuals with significant skin laxity and muscle separation.
  
  
• “Mini” Tummy Tuck: A “Mini” tummy tuck is a less extensive procedure that focuses on the lower abdominal region. It involves a shorter incision and primarily addresses excess skin and fat below the belly button. It is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity and muscle tightness. The belly button is not moved in this procedure.
  
  
• An Extended Tummy Tuck: An extended tummy tuck is suitable for individuals who have significant excess skin and fat extending to the flanks and lower back. This procedure involves an extended incision, allowing for the removal of excess tissue and contouring of the entire abdominal area.
  
  
• A Fleur De Lys Abdominoplasty: A Fleur De Lys abdominoplasty is a type of abdominoplasty that is specifically contoured/designed for patients following massive weight loss.  In this procedure, a traditional abdominoplasty is completed, going from hip to hip. This helps to optimize the vertical excess skin that is seen in most patients.  However, in massive weight loss patients, the team is also faced with excess skin in the transverse direction across the abdomen.  To address this additional concern, a vertical incision is added to also remove the excess skin there.  In this particular set of patients, this helps to optimize their skin excision and to better define their overall body contour.

Other Procedures to Consider with a Tummy Tuck

In some cases, complementary procedures can enhance the overall results of a tummy tuck. These may include:

• Liposuction/Lipo-contouring: Liposuction can be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck to remove excess fat deposits from areas such as the hips, flanks, or thighs. This can further enhance the resulting body contour and achieve a more sculpted appearance.
  
  There is a combination procedure called a “Marriage Abdominoplasty,” in which the upper abdomen is lipo-contoured to get a better overall look, while the lower abdomen undergoes a “Mini” abdominoplasty, where the lower excess skin is removed; this combination case is called a Marriage Abdominoplasty since it marries the two different procedures with the benefits of both;”
  
  
• Breast Surgery: For women seeking a more comprehensive body contouring result, combining a tummy tuck with a variety of breast procedures like breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction can result in a more complete final result that is more aesthetically pleasing.

When is the Best Time to Have a Tummy Tuck

There is no ideal time for a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty.  It very much depends on the individual and their wishes and wants.  To really address that question, each of the following should be considered by each patient.

• Stable Weight: It is advisable that each patient reach a stable weight where they are happy with what they have achieved without surgery.  Ideally, we wish to entertain surgery as a last effort AFTER the non-surgical options have been exhausted or completed.  
  
  
• Family Planning: For women considering a future pregnancy/pregnancies, it is recommended to postpone surgery until they are more certain about their plans.  If they are certain about a future pregnancy, it is sensible to wait until they have completed their childbearing and then to consider a surgical procedure when they have optimized their weight.  

Recovering From a Tummy Tuck

Recovery from a tummy tuck requires time and proper care. There are many factors involved here, many of them individualized and dependent on the patient, their circumstances, and their body types.  That being said, there are some common key points/factors to keep in mind. 

• Post-Operative Instructions/medications: Following the procedure, the patient will undergo a closely watched program of recovery, including a multi-disciplinary use of medications, including pain blockers, nerve blockers, and injections that will help speed the recovery process.  This will also include medications to help with bruising and with the healing process.
  
  
• Post-Operative Garments: Following the procedure, the patient will be fitted with a series of garments that will help her post-operative swelling.  These will manage her swelling and do much to contour her body for the final result.
  
  
• Post-Operative Massage/Ultrasound: Following the surgical procedure, additional modalities can/will help decrease the swelling noted in the tissues. This will involve affiliated groups that work with the surgery team to help manage the post-operative swelling in and around the abdomen.  These additional services will be detailed depending on your needs in the post-operative period.

Scars Following a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck does result in scars, but their visibility can be minimized with proper scar management techniques. The scars are typically located along the lower abdomen, concealed within/below the bikini line. Over time, they tend to fade and become less noticeable.  However, scars do take time to mature.  For this reason, scar management is an integral part of the recovery process.  Once the scars have completed their initial healing, then the hyperpigmentation is managed with the use of additional modalities such as creams, lasers, and injections.  Again, scarring and scar management are individualized to the patient to increase and optimize the final result.

Am I a Good Candidate For a Tummy Tuck

A traditional tummy tuck or one of the many versions that can be done is specific to each patient.  A consultation is essential to determine if you are a suitable candidate for any of these procedures.  During the consultation, the surgery team members and the surgeons will evaluate your medical history, assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and explain the surgical process. The initial evaluation is critical to the assessment of your candidacy for the procedure.

At the Ward Institute, we will see and evaluate you for the procedure.   If you are deemed ready for the procedure, we will proceed.  If not, we also can recruit and enroll you in one of our wellness groups so that we can get you ready for the procedure.  Not everyone will be ready to proceed right away.  However, we do have the flexibility in our teams to optimize you over the next few months and in fact get you ready for the procedure, again, depending on your goals.

To learn more about the Tummy Tuck procedure or to schedule a consultation, call us at the WARD INSTITUTE at 801-513-3223 or submit our online consultation request form today.

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