Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a tummy tuck, is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The tummy tuck procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, but bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.

The abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen in both male and female patients.

An incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area, usually under general anesthesia. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS, then separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs. The muscles of the abdomen are then tightened. The lifted skin is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is made for the navel. The incisions are then closed with stitches.

The tummy tuck takes about two hours. Different techniques may be used depending on the needs of the patient, the presence of scars, and amount of fat that needs to be contoured. Additional procedures such as liposuction can be combined with a tummy tuck to further improve the appearance and contour of the patient's abdomen.

The Tummy Tuck Surgery
Patients considering a tummy tuck can choose either a complete or partial procedure. A full abdominoplasty begins with an incision above the pubic area that extends between the hipbones. The surgeon then makes a second incision to separate the navel from the underlying tissue. Next, the skin is separated and pulled up to the level of the ribs. The surgeon pulls the abdominal muscles together and stitches them into position. The navel is then relocated and stitched into place. The surgeon replaces the skin (excess skin is trimmed) and sutures the original incisions. A complete tummy tuck takes between two and five hours and may or may not be outpatient based.

Alternative Tummy Tuck Procedures
If fat deposits are limited to the region below the navel, you may only need a partial abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck). In this procedure, a smaller incision is made, leaving the navel in place. The surgeon stretches the flap of skin down, removes excess fat and tissue, and stitches the flap back into place. The partial procedure lasts one to two hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

After Abdominoplasty Surgery
Immediately following your tummy tuck surgery, the incisions are dressed with bandages to keep the skin in place. A tube may be inserted to drain any excess fluid that has collected. Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort, although your doctor can prescribe medication to alleviate these symptoms. Stitches are usually removed five to ten days following surgery.

Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck is done on an outpatient basis and take from one to two hours. Recovery to most activity is about a week. Strenuous abdominal exercise is usually resumed in 3-4 weeks.

The tummy tuck procedure is performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS, in our fully accredited outpatient surgical facility in Manhattan, New York.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD, FACS surgical specialties include: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants (Silicone Breast Implants and Saline Breast Implants), Breast Lift, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Reduction, Breast Revision, Buttock Implants, (Butt) Implants, Eyelid Surgery, Endoscopic Brow Lift, Face Lift, Liposuction, Pectoral Implants ( Pec Implants), Rhinoplasty. The plastic surgeon's nonsurgical specialties include: Botox®, Brazilian Bronze, Chemical Peels, Hair Restoration, Laser Hair Removal, Lip Augmentation, Microdermabrasion, and Radiance™.

If you have any questions about abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or any other plastic surgery procedures please feel free to contact Board Certified Plastic Surgeon,  Douglas Senderoff, MD, FACS, at his Manhattan, New York or Westchester, New York office.