More photos available in office at time of consultation.
Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, is done most often in women due to the fact that our abdominal area is stretched during pregnancies. Men also request tummy tucks when skin is loose in the abdominal area, usually after massive weight loss or gastric bypass.
With pregnancy, not only is the skin stretched, but the vertical rectus muscles running up and down the middle of the abdominal wall are also separated to allow the baby's head to grow. With succesive pregnancies this separates more and more. The skin also loses it's elasticity and ability to snap back to it's prepregnancy shape when the weight is lost. There are genetic components to the elasticity and development of stretch marks, however it is helpful to moisturize the skin during the pregnancy and postpartum period. After the baby is born Retin A may also help early stretch marks.
Tummy tuck is done under anesthesia and takes out the whole roll from the belly button to the pubic hair. This leaves a long low scar that can be hidden under underwear and swimming suits, and a scar around the belly button. With the changing low cut pants and swim suits, compared with the higher frnchcuts found in years past, you may want to bring your favorite style of swimming suit or pants with you the day of surgery so that the surgeon can mark the extent of the clothing. We are never sure where the scar will stretch to as it heals, but this helps alot in planning the excision and the scar. If the muscles are separated you may also have internal sutures bringing them back to their midline position.
Most patients take two weeks off work for tummy tuck, however it is six weeks before strenuous activity can be resumed.
