Tummy Tuck to Restore Your Youthful Flat Abdomen

Tummy tuck or abdominal wall surgery which is also known as abdominoplasty is cosmetic surgery done for women and men with abdominal bulginess or flabbiness which has failed to improve even after routine exercise and healthy eating. The surgery removes excess fat tissue and skin apron to create a flat and firm ab profile. Women with weakened or separated ab muscle after several pregnancies can have those muscles tightened for a more flat contour. Abdominoplasty is done under general anesthesia in a hospital, in an accredited surgical facility or in an ambulatory setting. A board-certified plastic surgeon can safely perform your procedure. Dr. Bloch is among the best board-certified plastic surgeon in the Chicago metro area. The doctor has safely performed numbers of these procedures from his state of the art facility, Body by Bloch. Online booking for an appointment with the doctor can be done at www.bodybybloch.com.

Choose a tummy tuck surgeon you can trust

Tummy tuck surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) surgeon you can trust.

• • ASPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:
  • Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) or in Canada by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®
  • Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
  • Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
  • Graduate from an accredited medical school
  • Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety, each year
  • Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities

How is tummy tuck procedure like?

Abdominal wall surgery takes 1 to 6 hours. The surgery starts with sedation to put you to sleep throughout the procedure. This is followed by making of an extensive incision just below your navel. It is through your incision where your plastic surgeon will be able to remove extra fat tissue, tighten weakened rectus muscles and excise extra skin. After all of these procedures, tiny drainage tubes are inserted just beneath your skin to remove unwanted fluids. Skin is then closed with stitches or sutures. A firm gauze or bandage is then placed over your incision site.

Possible complications

You will have pain and swelling in the days following surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medicine and tell you how to best handle the pain. You may be sore for several weeks or months.

You may also experience numbness, bruising, and tiredness during that time.

As with any surgery, there are risks. Though they’re rare, complications can include infection, bleeding under the skin flap or blood clots. You may be more likely to have complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes, or heart, lung, or liver disease.

You may experience insufficient healing, which can cause more significant scarring or loss of skin. If you do heal poorly, you may require a second surgery.

A tummy tuck leaves scars. Though they may fade slightly, they will never completely disappear. Your surgeon may recommend certain creams or ointments to use after you’ve completely healed to help with scars.

Recovering from abdominoplasty

After abdominoplasty, you will be placed under keen observation until your condition stabilizes. You will then be discharged to go home and you need assistance until you are able to do some light tasks. Dr. Bloch will advise you to stay away from any strenuous tasks for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling and pain will continue for several weeks, but pain killers will help you stay comfortable. Prescribed antibiotics will also minimize the possibility of infections. Drains are removed within 2 days while stitches can be removed after 10 days. You need to wear a compression garment for several weeks for support and rapid healing. Follow-up visits are important to monitor your recovery. Your incision scar will fade after some months but will remain permanent. Healthy eating and regular exercise will prolong your tummy tuck results. The results are however affected by normal aging, pregnancy and changes in body weight.

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