|
Weight fluctuations or pregnancy can make your abdominal
muscles lose their shape and resiliency. That may not
seem too bad until you think about the resulting stretch
marks, loose skin, and unflattering bulges. If the
muscles are stretched beyond capacity you can end up
with a protruding tummy that doesn't respond to diet
or exercise. This can affect not only your self-confidence
but limit your wardrobe and make some physical activities
uncomfortable.
Abdominoplasty—commonly known as a tummy tuck—removes
excess skin and fat and tightens the muscles in your
abdomen, dramatically improving your overall figure.
Where your tummy once protruded, you will now see a
smoother, flatter abdomen. You'll be able to wear the
clothes you like…even bikinis since the scars will
be covered. Best of all, you will feel more attractive
and self-confident.
Tummy Tuck Surgery. There are several
ways to perform abdominoplasty. How Dr. Norman Markus
performs your particular procedure will depend on several
factors that he will discuss with you during the consultation.
The most common method is a complete tummy tuck, which
involves making an incision across the entire lower
abdomen at the level of the pubic area. The navel is
freed from surrounding tissue and then all of the skin
is separated from the abdominal muscle up to the ribcage.
Dr. Markus will then pull together the muscle from
each side and suture it into a new, tighter position,
creating a stronger abdominal wall and a smaller waist.
The loosened skin is pulled down, and the excess is
removed. A new hole will be made for your navel at
the correct spot and then it is stitched into place.
The rest of the incisions are then sutured and a dressing
will be placed over the incision. Temporary drainage
tubes are inserted to drain fluid from the surgical
site.
In the partial abdominoplasty, often called a mini-tummy
tuck, the same incision is made but the skin is only
separated up to the navel. This flap of skin is then
pulled down, the excess tissue is removed, and then
the muscle is stitched into its new position.
Many people also choose to have liposuction of their
hips and other areas when they have a tummy tuck to
create a better overall contour.
|
