Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the practice. I often do two, if not three, tummy tucks a week. And the reasons women come in usually centers around several features and factors in their life. First, being a Mommy comes with a great price. Post-pregnancy changes to a woman's body include the development of loose skin, excess skin, sometimes unsightly scars when they've had a C-section, focal deposits of fat, and stretch marks, all which can displease them. A tummy tuck can be designed to reverse many of these features and qualities that they have acquired. You know, a tummy tuck is a major procedure. And first and foremost we want to make sure that patients are healthy and in good physical fitness. Secondly, I think it's very important that if people are planning to shed some weight that they do it prior to their tummy tuck. Most tummy tucks in my practice are performed at my surgery center or at one of the hospitals that I attend. I think this is a very significant procedure, and in most cases have patients stay overnight for nursing supervision. Almost every tummy tuck that I perform has an on-cue pain pump placed at the time of surgery. This device will infuse a local anesthetic across the regions of the scar and the muscle to reduce their pain for approximately 72 hours. Since starting to use this technology, almost a decade ago, I've watched patients' satisfaction, the amount of pain they have, and their return to function improve dramatically. Well, you know, fashion dictates a lot of how incisions should be designed in our world. But I've always felt that the lowest incision is the best at making a tummy tuck. So I like to make our incisions low. I think that the muscle repair is a huge, important factor in the final result. And we often use liposuction to contour the love handles to ensure a smooth edge to the result. Successful recovery from a tummy tuck involves many things. One, in particular, being activity restrictions that need to be followed by the patient. First and foremost, it's important to remember that when you have your tummy tuck, all the slack has been removed from your belly, and the skin has been closed with you seated up. It is very important to realize in the first week into two weeks you will be unable to stand straight and unable to lay flat. Because of this, we have encouraged you to sleep in a recliner or a comfortable chair. When rising from the chair to walk, it is very important to use your arms to power your trunk up. Secondly, to place your hands or arms onto your belly and stay hunched into your arms. As you walk, make sure that you have good footing, and make sure that you have locked your knees straight. It is very difficult to flex at your hips, and your trunk, and also your knees. When it is time to sit back down, have a wide stance of your legs, use your arms for balance, and slowly put your buttocks back down on the chair, not using your core for anything. Following these instructions will insure that no tension is placed on your incisions and a successful recovery.