• 
  American Society
  of Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Society of
  Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Association for Accreditation
  of Ambulatory Surgery Facility

SELECT A PROCEDURE: Abdominoplasty | Liposuction

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in Salt Lake City, Utah

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a surgical procedure for removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Abdominal muscles may be tightened and scars of the lower and mid-abdomen can be improved or in some cases eliminated.

Pregnancy, in some women, causes the abdominal skin and muscle to become weak and loose. Large weight gain followed by weight loss, in men or women, will leave a loose layer of skin and fat. Abdominoplasty will correct these situations. Abdominal or umbilical hernias can also be corrected at the same time.

Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss technique. Ideally, patients should be at or near their ideal body weight at the time of surgery.

Complete abdominoplasty allows maximum correction. A horizontal incision is made along the lower abdomen at the level of the pubic hair going across to the hip areas. The abdominal muscles are tightened with stitches, and hernias are repaired. The bellybutton is brought out through a new skin opening as excess abdominal skin and fat are removed.

A limited procedure, a modified or mini-abdominoplasty may be performed in select patients. The main lower abdominal incision is shorter and there is no scar around the belly button. This is not as corrective a procedure as a complete abdominoplasty but may suffice when only a small amount of tissue is to be removed. An endoscope is sometimes used to facilitate the procedure when smaller incisions are utilized.

At the time of your consultation, I will decide whether you are a candidate for the complete or limited procedure.

Abdominoplasty may be combined with intra-abdominal procedures such as tubal ligation or with cosmetic operations performed on other parts of the body. Liposuction is commonly performed in conjunction with abdominoplasty. This may include the anterior abdominal fat or in some cases may extend laterally to the flanks or thighs. Schedule an appointment for a tummy tuck in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Surgery

Anesthesia A complete abdominoplasty requires general anesthesia and may be performed as an outpatient. This is dependent on whether any other procedures are performed at the same time. The anesthesiologist and the surgical facility will bill separately for their services. The limited abdominoplasty can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation.

Duration of Surgery The operating time will vary depending on the patient and on what needs to be corrected and whether any other procedures are performed. Generally, the time is 2 to 4 hours.

Hospitalization Vs Ambulatory Surgery In most instances a complete abdominoplasty can be performed as an outpatient, even when combined with suction lipectomy. At times it may require an overnight stay in the hospital when combined with more extensive procedures, i.e., hysterectomy. Admission is after you have recovered from the anesthetic. Limited abdominoplasties are usually performed on an outpatient basis, however, a family member or close friend must accompany you to the surgical facility and be available to drive you home and stay with you overnight. If you live over an hour away, you should plan on staying in the Salt Lake area on the night of surgery. If a family member or friend is not available we will recommend a nurse. During your consultation I will inform you if an overnight stay is required.

Before Surgery Do not take aspirin or products that contain aspirin for at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. Also refrain from any herbal supplements, as some may have an effect on increasing bleeding during the course of surgery. Remove all makeup and mascara from your eyelids. If you wear contacts lenses, it would be preferable that you wear glasses when you arrive to the surgery center.

After Surgery

Patients having a complete abdominoplasty should remain in bed until the next morning. You should make an attempt to maintain circulation in your legs by moving your feet up and down while in bed. An abdominal binder will be placed to provide support to your abdomen and should remain in place for at least 2 weeks postoperatively. A urinary catheter may be placed in the operating room and is removed in the recovery room. With a limited abdominoplasty, the urinary catheter is not necessary. You can expect moderate pain at the site of the incision and an overall "tighter" feel to your abdomen. Pain medication will be provided to help alleviate any discomfort. Dressings will be present along the incision and will remain in place until you return to the office. Depending on the procedure, there may or may not be stitches that will have to be removed.

Drains After a complete abdominoplasty and often after a limited procedure, a small drain will be present. This will assist in evacuating fluid that normally accumulates in the operative site. They usually exit the skin within the most lateral part of the abdominal incision. The drain will be removed within the first 3 days, depending on the amount of drainage. You will not be able to bathe or shower until the drains have been removed.

Return to Normal Activity Most patients return to their usual activities and to work approximately 2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous sports and other activities should not be performed for 2 months. Since the operation involves tightening the abdominal muscles you may have difficulty standing up straight for the first 1 to 2 weeks, and occasionally longer. During this time you may want to place a pillow under your knees while in bed. Make no special attempts to stretch or pull the abdomen straight during this time; it will relax as part of the healing process. We may place an elastic abdominal binder around your abdomen after surgery. This should provide GENTLE pressure. This gives stability and helps to reduce swelling. IF THIS FEELS TOO TIGHT OR CAUSES PAIN, TAKE IT OFF OR LOOSEN IT. Many people wear the binder for several weeks after surgery.

Photographs Photographs are taken at the time of your consultation. These are important aids in the preparation of surgery and become a permanent part of your record. Post-surgical photographs are also taken.

Scars Following complete abdominoplasty you can expect a horizontal scar low on the abdomen and a scar around the belly button. More limited abdominoplasties will not require a scar around the belly button, and the horizontal scar may be shorter. In certain patients a different incision may be necessary resulting in a different scar. This may be a short vertical scar in the midline, above the pubic hairline. If this is the case I will inform you of this at your consultation. In planning the incisions we take into account the styles of clothing and bathing suits you wear, and will try to accommodate these whenever possible. In every case I attempt to make the scars as short and as inconspicuous as possible. The scars will fade with time. This usually takes 9 to 12 months. All scars are however permanent. The width, height and color of scars are unpredictable.

Pregnancy If you plan to have children in the future it is best to wait until you have completed your family before proceeding with an abdominoplasty. The increase in size of the abdomen with pregnancy may undo all the surgery due to the stress and stretching of the muscles and skin.

Diminished Sensibility As with any surgical procedure, small sensory nerves to the skin surface may be cut when the incision is made or when skin is undermined. Portions of your abdomen will feel numb or have less than full feeling. The sensibility in these areas gradually returns, usually within 2 to 3 months as the nerve endings spontaneously heal. Some diminished sensibility may last indefinitely.

Swelling Swelling of the abdomen or any site following surgery is normal. During the first 1 to 2 weeks your clothes may feel a bit tighter and you actually may weigh more. The swelling will start to subside after the second postoperative week. There may be a postoperative accumulation of fluid within your surgical site that may require removal by syringe aspiration. It may take as long as 2 months for the last bit of swelling to recede from the lower part of the abdomen. You may expect about 50% of the final contour improvement at 2 weeks and about 75% at 1 month. Some patients continue to see improvement out to 6 months, but changes after 3 months are subtle. Schedule an appointment for a tummy tuck in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Complications

HEMATOMA A collection of blood under the skin is the most common complication. This may necessitate aspiration to drain the collection. Occasionally it will require additional surgery.

INFECTION This is unusual. Superficial infection can sometimes be treated with topical antibiotic ointment. Deeper infections require antibiotics. A localized infection or abscess requires drainage and may affect the final outcome of the scar.

WOUND HEALING PROBLEMS These include skin loss, fat necrosis and "dog ears". Skin loss and fat necrosis can occur secondary to infection or excess tension. Skin loss is uncommon, but careful preoperative planning and resisting the urge to make the abdomen as tight as possible can further reduce this possibility. Fat necrosis is likewise uncommon. It may require additional healing time and may create irregularities under the skin. In either case a scar revision at a later time may be necessary. Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and may also be a cause of skin loss and slow wound healing. For this reason we recommend that you stop smoking for at least 3 weeks prior to surgery and for 3 weeks following surgery. "Dog ears" are created when the angle at the end of a skin incision is closed resulting in a bulge of skin. Liposuction may be used to reduce or solve this problem. A small dog-ear will usually flatten with time as part of the healing process. If it remains visible, a small scar revision under local anesthesia can solve this problem at a later time.

PULMONARY EMBOLUS This is a blood clot, usually from your legs, that breaks off and travels to the lungs. This problem occurs rarely, and can follow any surgery, however, it can be life threatening. Obesity is the most commonly associated predisposing factor or when an enormous amount of suction lipectomy is performed at the same time. This is one reason that we generally do not offer this operation to obese patients.

I mention these complications not to alarm or frighten you since the usual outcome after this surgery is quite favorable. The majority of patients are very satisfied. I present this information to you to fully educate you on the side effects, undesirable sequelae and complications no matter how remote they may be.

Cigarette Smoking Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and may result in delayed wound healing and possible skin loss. The risk of other complications rises as well. Smokers must stop completely at least 3 weeks prior to surgery and abstain for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Cutting down, but continuing to smoke, has no effect on reducing the rate of complications. Complete cessation of smoking is mandatory.

Should you not understand or have questions regarding any of this information please do not hesitate to ask me or one of the members of my staff. Sometimes questions come up after you have left the office. Please feel free to call the office to discuss these concerns with either my staff or myself. If necessary a second visit can be arranged. Find out all you need to know. I wish to have all my patients as fully informed as possible.

Schedule an appointment for a tummy tuck in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

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