What Is A Tummy Tuck? Answered By Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Thomas Pane

An abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” has become a very popular procedure among people, especially women, who are striving to attain a more youthful and attractive profile in their abdominal region. After childbirth, rapid weight loss or gain, aging or illness, the skin and muscles in the area of the belly may become stretched out and lose their elasticity, leaving them loose and causing separation of the muscles. In these situations, a tummy tuck can help rejuvenate the underlying musculature and create a younger, more sculpted, healthier-looking body.

A tummy tuck is performed by removing excess skin and adipose, or fat, deposits in the area to be corrected. This in turn relieves excess strain on the abdominal muscles, allowing them to contract and return to a firmer contour. The procedure typically requires creating an incision below the line of the navel, or belly button, removing the skin and fat, and leaves a scar below the underwear line. In some cases an umbilicoplasty, or surgery to create a new navel, may be necessary depending upon the type of tummy tuck and amount of adipose and skin to be removed, among other factors.

Tummy tucks may be performed as a part of a complete “mommy makeover” where the breasts and other areas are also augmented, corrected and/or lifted, or as a standalone procedure, depending on the patient’s needs and desires.  The scarring from a tummy tuck is generally easily manageable, and typically scar is typically hidden in the underwear. Because the scar is concealed beneath the underwear line, most patients find the results very satisfying and don’t need to be afraid of wearing bikinis or lingerie. Some patients who have difficulty healing due to other conditions may have abnormal results.

Because every person and every procedure is a little bit different due to factors such as age, overall health, existing medical conditions, gender and genetic or hereditary factors, it is important to note that not every patient will achieve optimal results. Sometimes scarring can be more pronounced in patients that have difficulty healing from tissue insult or trauma. Additionally, if an abnormally large amount of excess tissue must be excised, this can also lead to more severe scarring than typical. Because abdominoplasty is a surgery, the same risks are present as those associated with any other procedure performed under general anesthesia.

To ensure the best results from your tummy tuck, precare and aftercare are as important as the care you receive during and immediately after the procedure. You should drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine, alcohol and other substances, as these can dehydrate you and cause your body to leach water from your skin, leaving it less naturally hydrated and supple. If you are a smoker, you should stop, because tobacco smoke is a desiccant to your skin which also breaks down the collagen bonds that keep it elastic and directly, negatively impacts your overall physical health. It is generally a good idea to treat the area with moisturizing lotion, on a physician’s orders and under their guidelines.

After this procedure, it is imperative that you follow all instructions given by your surgeon and other medical staff. This will help accelerate healing and minimize potential problems, including infections, unnecessarily severe scarring and other complications that may arise from the procedure. These can range from mild and somewhat unsightly to potentially life-threatening, and because each person is different and will respond to the surgery differently, some people may be at higher risk of postsurgical complications than others. Your surgeon can best evaluate the potential risks and help you establish an aftercare plan to reduce them.

RealSelf Patient Reviews of Thomas A. Pane, MD

Perhaps more than any single factor, the skill, knowledge and capability of your cosmetic surgeon can impact your results. Dr. Thomas Pane is a double-board-certified cosmetic surgeon with a long and successful track record of helping women look and feel their best. Because of his residency experience in emergency rooms, he is familiar with the potential problems that can arise during surgery and what to do about them. His double board certification also means that he has done twice the residency time in both general medicine and cosmetic surgery, making it more likely that you will enjoy a favorable outcome.

If you have been considering abdominoplasty by itself or as part of a mommy makeover, choosing an experienced surgeon can help greatly increase the odds that you’ll love the results! To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pane, email Atlantic Coast Aesthetics by clicking here or call 561-422-4116. You don’t have to live in a body you’re not comfortable with, but you shouldn’t leave the outcome of your tummy tuck to chance. Contact ACA and Dr. Pane today and take your first step to the you that lives inside you!