Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a body sculpting cosmetic procedure sought by men and women who have areas in their abdomen that are resistant to diet and exercise. Excess fat or skin can impact self-esteem and self-image, and surgery could be a good option to help a person feel confident.
A combination of weight fluctuations, age, gravity, slowed collagen and elastin production contributes to a lack of skin elasticity, which increases the risk of sagging skin around the midsection. A tummy tuck in Walnut Creek can help address these issues and create a smoother and tighter abdomen.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure performed in our Walnut Creek office that removes excess skin and fat from the belly. During the surgery, this is combined with deep stitches that tighten the abdominal wall and redefine the waist.
A tummy tuck is an excellent answer for individuals who have had children or lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in looseness around the abdominal area. In addition to tightening muscle and removing excess skin, liposuction can remove targeted areas of fat that have resisted diet and exercise.
During the procedure, the belly button is often moved to a more natural position. Dr. Seth Eberlin, our board-certified plastic surgeon, will take extra care to create a natural-looking belly button and use special techniques to minimize your scars. As is true with all plastic surgery, this requires more “art” and skill than many people realize, which means that different surgeons can get very different results.
At our Walnut Creek office, Dr. Eberlin will customize the tummy tuck procedure to meet the individuals’ specific needs. There are three types of tummy tuck surgeries, each of which has advantages and disadvantages and addresses different cosmetic concerns.
A standard tummy tuck is an excellent choice for patients with extra skin above and below their belly button. Tightening the muscles also helps to redefine the waist and give a graceful “s-curve.”
Excess skin and fat are removed during the surgery, and the abdominal wall muscles are tightened. The result is a flatter, firmer abdominal profile. The incision is generally made horizontally between the pubic hairline and the belly button.
A mini tummy tuck is designed for patients with minimal extra skin. This procedure removes skin from the lower part of the abdomen and uses liposuction to remove fat from the upper part of the stomach. It is ideal for patients with excess skin below their belly button but not above and who have good skin elasticity, so the area tightens around the upper abdomen after fat is removed.
A Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is an advanced variation of the traditional abdominoplasty. It is designed for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight (over 100 lbs) and have significant excess skin in vertical and horizontal dimensions.
Unlike the traditional or standard tummy tuck, which removes horizontal excess skin, the Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck has an additional vertical incision from the belly button to the horizontal incision above the pubic hairline. This allows Dr. Eberlin to have better access to the fascia and muscle. The surgery results in a more dramatic reshaping but also leaves more noticeable scarring.
Tummy tuck surgery is done under general anesthesia in our Walnut Creek Office. A traditional tummy tuck usually takes roughly three hours, while a Fleur-de-lis can take longer.
You will receive detailed instructions on how to take care of yourself in the weeks after surgery. It is important to follow these directions carefully to reduce the risk of complications, including infection. You will not be able to drive yourself home, so it is important to have a friend or family member who can pick you up.
We arrange for a private nurse to stay with you the first night at your home. Many of our patients love this extra attention. The nurse can help you get out of bed and answer any questions you might have. We also communicate with the nurse throughout the night to see how you are doing.
Individuals who have had a traditional tummy tuck or fleur-de-lis will likely have drains in place after surgery. These drains help remove excess fluid that builds up underneath the incisions. Our medical team and your private nurse will help you learn how to care for these drains.
After surgery, you will wear a supportive abdominal garment for roughly six weeks. This garment helps reduce fluid buildup and provides support to the area while you heal.
You will begin walking on the day of surgery but must limit your activities for the first six weeks to avoid pulling on the incision and opening it. You must also avoid any positions that strain the incision line, such as bending at the waist or twisting and turning.
These limitations may mean you need extra help to care for your home or family until you are fully healed. We recommend you rest and take time off work and any social activities for approximately two weeks. More time may be recommended, though.
When diet and exercise are not enough to get rid of stubborn fat or excess skin, a tummy tuck in Walnut Creek could be right for you. There are situations where no amount of dieting and exercise can get you to your goal, and we would like to help you enjoy the body you have worked hard to achieve.
Contact our office today to learn about your surgical options. We would be happy to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
