Tummy Tuck Procedure (Abdominoplasty)

Serving Cincinnati, OH, Northern Kentucky, Lawrenceburg, IN, and surrounding areas

In today’s society, having a flat stomach is important to a physically fit appearance. Many people labor intensively to achieve this goal. Healthy diets, strenuous workouts, abdominal gadgets all seem promising at first, but do little to eliminate accumulations of excess fat and sagging skin in the abdominal area. If you are bothered by appearance problems, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) from The Plastic Surgery Group may be a good choice for you.

A tummy tuck is a commonly sought after procedure, especially following pregnancy. Pregnancy causes the abdominal skin and muscles to stretch, and they often fail to regain their original tone after the baby is born. A tummy tuck is an excellent procedure to help you achieve your desired abdominal tone and help remove some of the stretch marks that result from pregnancy.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty):
A tummy tuck is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Evaluation:
At The Plastic Surgery Group, we are only concerned with how we can help you achieve your goals. That means taking the time to listen and work with you to design your desired look. Our customer focused approach facilitates a more relaxed and comfortable environment, which in turn yields the best results.

The Procedure:
A tummy tuck begins with a long incision along the bikini line. Underlying muscle and tissue are drawn together narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall. The skin is pulled down and excess skin removed. A new opening is cut for the navel. Some scarring is to be expected; however, scars will fade with time.

Patient Considerations:
Patients should be aware that a tummy tuck procedure is not a simple operation and that choosing the right plastic surgeon to perform your procedure is very important. At The Plastic Surgery Group, our plastic surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and have years of experience in tummy tuck procedures. Setting realistic expectations from your tummy tuck surgery and discussing those options with your surgeon will help maximize your result.

BMI Qualification:

At The Plastic Surgery Group, the physicians’ top concerns are your well-being, safety, and helping you reach your desired results. When considering body contouring, your BMI, or Body Mass Index, is the main criteria factor used to determine whether you are a good candidate. Please follow this chart to configure your BMI. If your BMI is 30 or above, you are currently not a good candidate for surgical body contouring or Coolsculpting. Please call our office at 513.791.4440 for further assistance or recommendations on weight loss physicians. Once you’ve reached a stable weight with an acceptable BMI, we encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation. A BMI within healthy range enhances your chances for an optimal outcome.

One of our friendly surgery schedulers will share the surgeons’ credentials, answer questions and schedule a complimentary consultation. Find out if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck procedure by calling The Plastic Surgery Group today at 513.791.4440.

For your convenience, The Christ Hospital Surgery Center is located on the ground floor of 1 Plastic Surgery Plaza and is an AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) accredited surgical facility with four surgical suites.

Recovery:
You will feel somewhat uncomfortable for a few days. The discomfort is managed with pain medication prescribed to you by your Plastic Surgery Group surgeon. Bruising normally resolves within a week, and swelling usually resolves in two weeks to two months. Most are able to return to work within two weeks, provided work does not involve lifting more than 10 pounds.

Limitations:
The term “tummy tuck” makes the procedure sound as though it is a simple one. In truth, this operation is fairly extensive. Those who are generally healthy usually have no problems during or after surgery. Fluid collection under the skin may occur and is managed by placing a small sterile drain through the skin or by withdrawing the fluid by a syringe. In fact, in order to prevent a fluid collection, your surgeon will place a small drain at the time of surgery. The drain will be removed in about one week in the office. Other problems such as skin breakdown and infection are less common, especially in non-smokers.

Results:
After surgery, you will see a noticeable difference in the contour of your abdomen. Many people find that their firmer, flatter abdomen boosts their confidence and makes them feel more comfortable in clothing.

For more information regarding tummy tucks, come see the cosmetic surgery experts of The Plastic Surgery Group at one of our convenient locations in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky. Or to schedule your complimentary consultation, click here to contact us. View a Before and After gallery for this procedure here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How noticeable are the scars?
The scar runs just above the pubic area out to the hip bones, varying somewhat depending on body size and type. The scar can easily by hidden by most styles of underwear and bathing suits.

Can my C-section incision be used again?
Yes.

How long is the downtime period?
You will feel somewhat uncomfortable for a few days. The discomfort is managed with pain medication prescribed to you by your TPSG surgeon. Bruising normally resolves within a week, and swelling usually resolves in 2 weeks to 2 months. Most are able to return to work within 2 weeks, provided work does not involve lifting more than 10 pounds.

Will I need a compression garment? How long will I need it?
Yes, some type of supportive or compression garment is needed. Depending on your rate of recovery, you will need it for 2-6 weeks.

When can I drive?
This normally varies depending on your rate of recovery. You will most likely be able to return behind the wheel in 1-3 weeks.