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About this procedure

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic operation to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. In most cases, the surgery will also restore separated muscles, making the stomach area look more smooth and firm.

 

The most common causes of excess abdominal skin are pregnancy and obesity, followed by weight loss. During pregnancy, connective tissue relaxation can result in the separation of the central vertical abdominal muscles, which causes the lower abdomen to protrude. Some people call this “pooching.” No amount of exercise can correct this condition. Fortunately, an abdominoplasty can correct both issues.

 

During the procedure, a circular incision is made around the navel, and the navel is left in place on the abdominal wall. Then, the abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue is then moved down so it can be removed via a low abdominal incision. Stretch marks present in the lower abdomen are removed during this operation.

 

The naval is then brought through a new opening at the appropriate location, to give the abdomen a normal appearance. The surgical scars required for the removal of the excess skin and fat are placed in natural lines and usually fit well within the bathing suit line.

 

A tummy tuck is a major operation, but we do all we can to ensure a quick tummy tuck recovery.

 

There is also a lesser procedure called a mini abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck. In the mini tummy tuck, skin from the upper abdomen is not brought downward, and only a lower abdominal ellipse of skin is removed, producing a lesser result. In the mini abdominoplasty, most stretch marks remain, muscle separation is not corrected, and the upper abdomen remains as it is.

 

 

Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck

 

Things to avoid in Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck: Things to avoid in tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty include a scar that is too high, a misplaced naval or belly button, bulges or dog ears at the end of the scar, and scar disproportion. To avoid this, the patient must trust the artistic judgement of their surgeon. You will note in the patient photographs, all scars are low, and can be well hidden in the bikini line, there are no ugly suture or staple marks, the naval is in the proper position, and looks natural, and using the lazy-W approach, there are no lateral dog ears.

"Every effort is made to provide the abdominoplasty at reasonable cost to the patient and still provide the necessary degree of safety. The hospital and surgical centers we use are geared toward that end. For your safety, an overnight stay is required. Your surgeons at Fairbanks Plastic Surgery have extensive experience with abdominal plastic surgery, and will give you the best results possible." -Dr. Fairbanks

*All post-operative pictures are of real patients of Fairbanks Plastic Surgery. Identifiable images are used with patient permission.

Tummy Tuck Surgery

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Abdominoplasty Before and After

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Tummy Tuck Procedure

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Note that the patient has a disfiguring vertical surgical scar in the pre-operative photographs. In the post-operative view, that scar is gone. The naval looks normal, and the lower abdominal scar has turned white with time.

Note that the scar in the post-operative view is all within the bikini line and corresponds to a natural crease. The scar generally loses its color by six months. The naval is in good position and looks natural. The abdominal bulging is gone.

In the pre-operative view, this patient has a heavy and protruding abdomen with an upper abdominal fold. In the post-operative view, the abdomen is pulled in as the result of muscle repair, the upper fold is gone, and the lower scar is in the bikini line. Note the "lazy W" type scar. This allows the patient to have a low scar without lateral dog ears, or unsightly bulges, as compared to a higher, straight line scar.

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