Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

After having children, many women have changes in their body that cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. Commonly, there are new areas of fat deposit, stretching of the abdominal muscles and skin, and even stretch marks that were never present before pregnancy. Many women have worked very hard to correct these problems, only to be frustrated with their results.

BeforeAfter

Tummy tuck surgery can correct many or all of these problems, and allow you to return to a size and shape close to your original figure. Dr. Schwartz is a national speaker on body contouring and Ultrasonic Liposuction, and will be happy to help you achieve your goals.

Your First Consultation

The most important visit with your plastic surgeon besides the surgery itself is your initial consultation. You will be able to discuss your goals, concerns and specific desires. You will discuss the specific details of your surgery.

You should also be interviewing your prospective surgeon. You should feel your surgeon would care for you as if you were part of his own family. That your surgery was the most important, and that you are unique. It may never be truer that you get what you pay for. Do not shop for price alone. Ask your friends, and doctors you know and trust for a referral.

Tummy Tuck Procedures

ABDOMINAL SKIN EXCISION – Some women have only excess skin, without stretching of their abdominal muscles. They are ideal candidates for removal of excess skin only. This can vary from a small window of skin near the pubic area, to a large excision including rebuilding the belly button. Because there is no muscle repair, the recovery for this procedure is very short.

MINI-ABDOMINOPLASTY – When patients have limited changes of the skin above the belly button, they can often undergo a mini-abdominoplasty instead of a full tummy tuck. This means they do not have to have a belly button scar. The muscle can be repaired in the same fashion as a full tummy tuck, using special lighting, techniques and instruments.

FULL ABDOMINOPLASTY – If the upper abdominal skin is also loose, it usually means a patient will need a full tummy tuck. This will include revision of the belly button as well. This more aggressive procedure allows full tightening of the abdominal skin from the ribs down to the pubic area.

SURGERY LOCATION – Your surgery will be performed at our new AAAASF accredited Westlake Cosmetic Surgery Center facility. This state of the art surgical center provides the highest standard of care, safety and privacy. Dr. Schwartz also has privileges to perform procedures at Los Robles Regional Medical center, Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital, and both St. Johns Regional Medical center, and Pleasant Valley Hospitals.

ANESTHESIA – Abdominoplasty is performed with general anesthesia. Dr. Schwartz only works with Board Certified Physician (M.D.) anesthesiologists who are always present for your entire procedure.

Recovery from Abdominoplasty

Tummy tucks usually requires 2-3 hours of surgery as an outpatient. You will be seen on the second or third day after surgery. A special binder, or garment (if liposuction is done as well) are given to each patient to minimize bruising and swelling.

Patients who need muscle repair will require 7-10 days before they are able to drive or return to work. In addition, patients will have restrictions from exercise in several phases to allow the muscle sutures enough time to heal to remain strong, and preserve the flat appearance achieved during surgery. All patients undergoing abdominoplasty receive a local anesthesia pain pump. This device has significantly improved the experience of tummy tuck patients to the point that they often express that recovery was nowhere near as difficult as they expected. In addition the pain pump allows patients to use much less narcotic pain medication, and this reduces side effects, and speeds up return to normal activities.

Click to learn more about the pain pump.

Tummy Tuck Risks

While every procedure has risks, it is Dr. Schwartz goal to minimize every possibility of this during your care. You will receive extensive consultation regarding your surgery and any risks during your consultation and pre-op appointments.