Tummy Tuck – Miami, FL

The medical name for a tummy tuck is “abdominoplasty”. It is a plastic surgery procedure which removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen which may have accumulated for various reasons:

• after pregnancy,
• because of obesity, and/or
• age

A full abdominoplasty involves tightening abdominal muscles that may have become stretched over time.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty involves separating the navel from the tissue of the abdominal wall and tightening the muscles underneath.

A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than traditional abdominoplasty. A mini tummy tuck is more suitable for patients whose main concern is excess skin below the navel.

Male Tummy Tuck

Whether men are looking to abdominoplasty because they have recently lost weight or to regain a youthful physique, the same types of tummy tucks are available.

Tummy Tuck Surgery 

Abdominoplasty is normally done under general anesthetic. An incision is made across your lower abdomen from hip to hip, and around your navel to detach the skin from it. Skin and fat are separated from the abdominal muscles and removed. Your stomach (rectus abdominus) muscles are tightened using the fascia. Once the skin has been replaced, a new hole is made to suture around your navel.

Tummy Tuck Scars

Tummy tuck scars will fade over time. Nevertheless, a good plastic surgeon will make his incision as low as possible to keep it hidden. Mini tummy tuck procedures leave the smallest scar: similar to a C-section scar. Although the scar from a standard tummy tuck is longer – from hip bone to hip bone – it is less conspicuous when kept below your bikini line.

Wearing an abdominal pressure garment keeps everything in place while you are healing. It helps to reduce swelling and should be worn for a few weeks after your surgery.

Only once your incisions have healed may you apply scar cream.

Tummy Tuck Recovery Time (Including Pre and Post-Op Tips and Information)

 To minimize your abdominoplasty recovery time, you will want to prepare ahead of your surgery:

• Have all the appropriate blood and urine tests done in time.
• Abdominal surgery is not to be taken lightly. Therefore, take care of as many day-to-day appointments as possible before you check in. Movements that you would have easily done before will be painful as you heal.
• Buy your abdominal compression garments. Don’t forget the big and comfy underwear – however unattractive they may appear.

After surgery:

• Medication:
  • Control your pain to aid healing,
  • Ensure you finish the course of antibiotics.
• Monitor:
  • Clear your drain two to three times a day,
  • Watch out for a high temperature as this is an indication of infection.