Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty in South Florida
A flatter, tighter, more youthful abdomen, elimination or reduction of "stretch marks" and excess tummy skin resulting from childbirth or rapid weight loss, firming up of a sagging abdominal profile which resulted from longtime poor posture and/or age-related factors: These are some of the leading reasons patients cite for desiring a tummy tuck.
Abdominoplasty achieves these goals by tightening the underlying muscle framework, and removing excess fat and loose skin-things that diet and exercise simply cannot do.
Pregnancy causes enlargement of the uterus with significant stretching of the tissues of the abdomen. After delivery, exercise can help recover the tone in the muscles themselves, but the fascial tissues (which interconnect the muscles) do not respond to exercise. Stretching or looseness of the lower abdominal tissues creates bulging, which no amount of abdominal crunches can correct.
Before and After Tummy Tuck in Coral Springs, FL
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Similarly, as fat is lost beneath the skin of the abdomen, especially after significant weight loss, the tissues may become much looser and may actually hang downward. No type of exercise will tone or tighten loose, hanging skin. However, it can be removed during abdominoplasty.
Even in individuals who are not overweight, localized deposits of fat can occur in areas of the abdomen, producing an undesirable bulge. If fat deposits are the only problem, liposuction alone may correct the problem. But, if stretched musculature or loose skin is present, abdominoplasty is necessary to achieve the best result.
Abdominoplasty reshapes the underlying framework of the abdomen to firm the abdominal wall, removes any excess fat deposits, removes some (and occasionally all) "stretch marks", and eliminates excess loose skin to produce a flatter, more youthful abdomen. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Levens will explain which components of an abdominoplasty will be necessary to achieve the best results for you and will describe the kinds of changes you can expect.
Good Candidates for Abdominoplasty in Coral Springs
Healthy men or women who are not excessively overweight but have significantly protruding abdomens are good candidates for this procedure. Women with "stretch marks" and/or sagging skin and muscles due to childbirth are good candidates, as are men or women who have excess skin, bulging, and/or stretched muscle tissue as a result of rapid weight loss, poor posture or the aging process.
What Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Incisions for abdominoplasty are placed low on your abdomen to allow them to be concealed. The length of the incision depends on the degree of looseness in your skin and how much will need to be removed. Dr. Levens will discuss your unique situation with you.
The skin and fat are first lifted off the underlying musculature of the abdomen. If the fascia (the tissue that interconnects the muscles) is stretched, he will tighten it by placing multiple rows of sutures. In essence, the underlying framework of the abdomen is reshaped. The skin and fat are then pulled downward, and the excess is removed. Due to the amount of skin that generally must be removed, it is usually necessary to make an incision around the umbilicus (belly button).
All of your incisions will be carefully closed with sutures placed beneath the skin. Generally, you'll be able to shower or bathe 3-5 days after surgery. We will ask you to wear an elastic garment (which we provide) for two weeks or more after surgery to minimize fluid collection and swelling, and to improve your comfort in the treated areas. Often, a small plastic drainage tube is used to prevent accumulation of fluid under the skin. Dr. Levens will remove it in his office a few days after your surgery
Special Considerations
- Body Weight: If you are significantly overweight, you'll get a much better correction if you achieve a more ideal body weight before your abdominoplasty. There is a limit to the amount of fat and skin that can be safely removed during the procedure.
- Belly Button: In most cases, it is necessary to reposition or reshape your umbilicus (belly button).
- Extent of the procedure: How much your abdomen can be reshaped depends on several factors, including the condition of your tissues prior to surgery.
- Scarring: any incision will produce a scar. The nature of these scars will depend on several factors, including the extent of your specific procedure and your skin's own healing characteristics. However, scars fade and can be covered, while a bulging abdomen is difficult to camoflague.
- Your body type: Abdominoplasty cannot change the underlying skeleton and is limited by how much the muscles can be tailored.
- Risks: Risks associated with abdominoplasty are generally very small, but risks common to all surgical procedures such as bleeding, infection and scar tissue formation occur in a very small percentage of cases. We will give you more detailed information about these and other rare risks in our written information, and encourage you to discuss any that concern you during your consultation.
Your Recovery After Tummy Tuck
Most patients have moderate discomfort the first 48-72 hours, decreasing rapidly thereafter. The degree of discomfort depends largely on the extent of surgery required to reshape your abdomen and your personal pain tolerance. Dr. Levens will prescribe medication to keep you as comfortable as possible. Your abdomen will feel tighter as the result of the procedure. The feeling of tightness will decrease over 1-3 weeks as swelling fades and the tissues become accustomed to their new position.
Abdominoplasty usually requires hospitalization for 1 night. It is important that you be up and moving around the day following your procedure. How much activity we recommend depends upon the specific procedure required to reshape your abdomen. The typical schedule of recovery is: Bruising and swelling, 7-21 days; return to work & social activity, 5-14 days; aerobic or strenuous activity, 3-6 weeks. Dr. Levens will encourage you to return to normal activity as soon as you can, but to follow the limitations he will prescribe to enhance results and prevent damaging the reshaped areas.
For More Information About Tummy Tuck in Coral Springs, Florida
Dr. Levens will review every aspect of abdominoplasty with you during your complimentary consultation. Patient Coordinator Diana Doria will discuss fees, financing plans and scheduling, and answer any additional questions. There is absolutely no obligation to schedule a procedure. To arrange your consultation, please call 954-752-1020.
Dr. Levens has been providing Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) surgical procedures for patients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Miami, North Lauderdale, Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Weston and throughout South Florida since 1989.
