If you're considering a Tummy
Tuck...
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a sugical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.
At the Plastic Surgery Clinic we perform approximately 100 to
150 tummy tuck procedures per year. This makes Dr Lista one
of the most experienced tummy tuck surgeons in Ontario, Canada.
Dr Lista’s main philosophy when performing tummy tuck surgery
is to make all his patients look soft and natural and perform
the operation as safely as possible.
The best candidates for a Tummy Tuck
The best candidates for a Tummy Tuck are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity, which frequently occurs with weight loss or gain, can also be improved.
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr Lista.
The Office Visit
Dr Lista meets with all his patients personally before surgery. Many patients are seen for a second visit to ensure that all of their questions have been carefully answered. In the consultation process we spend considerable time obtaining a careful history and physical examination. We also spend a long time discussing the patient’s desires, goals and expectations. It is important that the patient discuss with Dr Lista their desired result. Not all expectations can be accomplished with surgery and it is important that these issues are carefully discussed before surgery. Photographs can be helpful in this regard and at The Plastic Surgery Clinic we have computerized digital imaging, which allows Dr Lista to show the patients examples of how they may look after surgery.
How Tummy Tuck is performed
Your Tummy Tuck procedure may be performed at The Plastic Surgery Clinic. Dr Lista performs all of the procedures personally. He does not have any assistants or students assist with your surgery. Dr Lista is Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Trillium Health Center (The Mississauga Hospital) so your operation can also be performed at the hospital if you prefer. The operation is performed either at our clinic or in the hospital. At the Plastic Surgery Clinic anesthetics are administered by specialist physicians who are board certified in the specialty of anesthesia. These doctors give the anesthetic, stay with the patient during the entire operation and are with the patient while they are waking up. The operation takes one to two hours. A friend or relative will need to come and pick you up and stay with you for 24 hours. Depending on the nature and extent of your surgery, some patients may need to spend a night or two in hospital after their surgeries.
The surgery
Dr Lista will need to examine you to determine if you require a complete tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck. If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also know as a mini-tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result. Dr Lista will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and that will help you come closest to producing your desired body contour.
A complete tummy tuck usually takes two to three hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial tummy tuck may take an hour or two.
An incision just above the pubic area is used to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. |
Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial tummy tuck, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is removed. With abdominoplasty, a new opening is cut for the navel. Both incisions are stitched closed. |
In partial abdominoplasty , also called a mini tummy tuck, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.
The Pain Relief Pump
The Pain-Relief Pump is a new device being used by Dr Lista at the Plastic Surgery
Clinic which relieves almost all pain after surgery. Click here to
learn more about the significant benefits of the Pain-Relief Pump.
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.
Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but may require a hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible. At the Plastic Surgery Clinic abdominoplasty patients are given anti-embolic stockings which they are asked to wear for one week following surgery. We also have a specialized device called a compression pump which gently massages the patients legs during surgery and, with the stockings, greatly decrease the risk of blood clots in the legs.
Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
After your surgery
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalized for a day or two.
Dr Lista will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.
Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to three weeks. You will need to wear a support garment over your abdomen under your clothes for about 6 weeks.
Getting back to normal
It will take 3 to 6 weeks for you feel like your old self again. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate. Exercise will help you heal better. Even people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided for 6 weeks.
Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they'll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
Your new look
Tummy tuck, whether partial or complete, produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long lasting, if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, tummy tuck may be just the answer for you.
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