TUMMY TUCK MIAMI
A Tummy Tuck also known as an abdominoplasty is a sculpting and tightening cosmetic procedure ideal patients who have excess skin or stubborn fat within the abdominal area. This article will cover the ins and outs of this procedure, ideal candidates, prices, commonly asked questions, the best abdominoplasty surgeons in the area and so much more!
What is a Tummy Tuck?
The tummy tuck procedure consists of eliminating fat and excess skin in order to tighten the abdominal muscles. This is done by sewing the muscles together forming an “internal waistband”. This procedure aims to reshape individuals who have experienced skin expansion beyond its resilience which creates a bulging abdomen that appears disproportionate to the rest of the body. Ranked as one of the top five plastic surgeries performed throughout the world, this abdominal tightening procedure assists in flattening and reshaping the abdomen.
Another benefit to this procedure is the improved stretch marks that lie beneath the navel caused by pregnancy. A tummy tuck is the ultimate solution to remove unwanted skin and smooth its appearance for a beautiful outcome! At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we aim to have this procedure reshape the body to its original state, which cannot be achieved simply through exercise or diet!
Are you a good candidate for Tummy Tuck surgery?
Any individual who wishes to return to their pre-pregnancy body is considered to be a good candidate for the abdominoplasty procedure. However, you must be at least 21 years or older, in good health standing, and undergo an evaluation by a plastic surgeon in order to be eligible for this procedure.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons emphasizes that a good candidate must be in:
“…physically healthy and at a stable weight, have realistic expectations, non-smoker, and are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen. Abdominoplasty surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.”
At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we required all patients to fall within a healthy BMI Range in order to undergo any major body surgery. This procedure can benefit both men and women equally. However, if our female patients are planning on having another baby in the near future, we suggest waiting until all pregnancies are complete before undergoing this life changing procedure.
The Tummy tuck is targets:
- Individuals suffering from excess fatty tissue within the abdomen that does not respond to exercise or dieting
- Individuals suffering from weak abdominal muscles after pregnancy
- Individuals suffering from age –related skin sagging
Learning about Tummy Tuck options
Traditional Tummy Tuck
There are various incision and technique types to the tummy tuck procedures, however what makes each one of them unique is the area of concentrations and benefits that the procedure targets. A full abdominoplasty, also known as a traditional tummy tuck, is typically performed for a patient who has experienced weight loss or pregnancy. This abdominal procedure includes an incision created from hipbone to hipbone. The abdominoplasty is vital in contouring of the skin, muscle and tissue, because all the abdominal muscles are exposed.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck procedure is an extension to the traditional form by way of creating a bigger incision. This procedure is ideal for patients who have experienced extreme weight loss or skin stretching but do not need to undergo a complete body lift. The incision reaches further than the hip, leaving a scar in the patient’s back as well.
Circumferential Tummy Tuck
A more intensive abdominoplasty incision is known as circumferential Abdominoplasty or a body lift, differs from a traditional abdominoplasty This procedure not only targets the abdominal area, but also involves the waistline, back and hips. This procedure assists in removing excessive amount of skin that have lost the elasticity that hangs from the abdomen to the sides, belly fat and deviated muscles, flabby buttocks and thighs. This operation begins with an incision that is “belt like” made around the waist in order to remove the excess skin and fat. In order to achieve a more youthful look, the lower skin must be pulled up and the upper skin pulled down.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A Mini or Partial Tuck is a procedure specifically formulated to address the excess skin or fat underneath the patient’s navel (bellybutton). This technique is ideal for patients who experience extreme weight gain or skin stretching specifically in this abdominal area. The mini abdominoplasty is not ideal for patients who have skin sagging related issues throughout their entire abdomen. Incision is made about the pubic region and is approximately 5 inches in length.
Liposuction vs Tummy tuck
Typically, the liposuction and tummy tuck procedure are performed simultaneously to target all areas that need to be addressed. During your initial consultation, the doctor will determine how much liposuction will need to be performed which gives the patients an idea of where the fat will be extracted. The abdominoplasty works by stretching and tightening (through an abdominal incision) the excess skin. Since liposuction itself does not tighten the skin but simply extracts the fat, both cosmetic surgeries must be performed together to achieve the desired result.
“Patients undergoing cosmetic liposuction and/or abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck") procedures report significant improvements in self-esteem and quality of life, according to a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®” - official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Liposuction is the process of removing excess fatty tissue through a medical procedure from under the skin by suction. The procedure assists in creating a greater accentuation on the body’s natural contours that may have been lost during pregnancy. This cosmetic procedure uses a medical grade cannula (hollow stainless steel tube) in conjunction with a suction device (aspirator) which penetrates into deep fat pockets in order to eliminate excess fat. Liposuction surgery is used for areas of the body which contain fat pockets such as thighs, hips and buttocks, abdomen, legs and back.
Preparing for abdominoplasty
In order to have the best possible healing outcomes, it is crucial to properly prepare for any type of procedure. Four weeks before the procedure, patients who smoke are asked to completely stop in order to ensure that the body will recover and heal properly. Also, alcohol should not be consumed a minimum of seven days before the surgery. Patients must refrain from drinking any blood-thinners, anti-inflammatory medication, or vitamins fourteen days prior to the procedure including but not limited to aspirin, Benadryl, and vitamin E. Failure to do so can ultimately cause excessive bruising, bleeding and swelling in the face. Your doctor will provide you with medication regime you will begin taking the day before the surgery and during the tummy tuck recovery after the procedure is complete.
It is vital to maintain a healthy diet with well balanced meals in order to maintain a properly functioning immune system for a speedy recovery. It is also crucial to have a high protein diet for a minimum of 3 to 5 weeks. Lastly, it is important to arrange your home in order to ease your ability to fully rest and recover. Patients must come with a friend or family member the day of the surgery in order to be driven home and cared for at all times during the first three days after surgery. If the patient does not have a friend or family in the area, for an additional cost, Jolie offers recovery houses for patients who have undergone a procedure.
Tummy Tuck procedure steps
Anesthesia
An abdominoplasty surgery is considered a major cosmetic procedure due to the incisions and extraction of skin tissue. Therefore, this surgery must be performed under general anesthesia to ensure comfort and painless procedure. While receiving general anesthesia, the patient is intubated by way of a certified anesthesiologist who inserts a breathing tube through your throat. Throughout the procedure, the anesthesiologist will administer intravenous medication to ensure you stay sedated throughout the procedure.
At first you will feel at ease and calmed at the intravenous medication begins. After you are relaxed, the general anesthesia will be administered. This is the moment in which you will not remember feeling or consciousness throughout the procedure. Your blood pressure and pulse will remained at a low level and monitored during the entire process.
Rest assured that Jolie Plastic Surgery provides the highest trained anesthesiologists in the South Florida Area. Our anesthesiologist team constantly overlooks the patient’s vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing at the time of the procedure.
Incision
Once Liposuction is completed, the abdominoplasty surgeon creates a horizontal incision from hip bone to hip bone between the navel and pubic region. The size of the incision is based on the patient’s excess skin and fat. Once the incision is made, it is pulled upward so that the doctor can work on the weakened abdominal muscles.
If necessary, a second surgical cut is made on the navel in order to fully tighten the upper abdominal muscles. The excess skin is then pulled downwards and the excess skin is removed. Finally, the new skin is sutured together with the abdominal wall and a new navel opening is created. The bellybutton is then pushed out through the new opening and stitched into a proper position. The hip incision is then closed through suturing, and if necessary drains are placed to help remove fluid build-up.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Recovery process
When undergoing any cosmetic procedure, understand that there will always be a chance for side effects, risks and complications. The abdominoplasty can be potentially challenging and requires attentive preoperative planning and recovery care.
A few of the more familiar risks include infections, internal bruising, hematoma, modification to the nipple and breast sensitivity, soreness, bleeding, fluid imbalance, capsular contracture, and embolism. Even though there is a possibility for deep vein thrombosis subsequently following the operation, this rarely occurs if proper recovery protocol is followed. All potential side effects from the tummy tuck procedure can be efficiently treated through proper instruction follow through and medication for pain management.
Patients should expect to wear a compressive garment in order to assist in draining the excess fluids. Tummy tuck plastic surgeons also highly recommend having post-operative lymphatic massages. Expect the time of the abdominoplasty recovery to be approximately 2 weeks in which strenuous activity must be avoided.
Results of the Tummy Tuck at Jolie Plastic Surgery
Patients undergoing the abdominoplasty procedure must understand that this is a major cosmetic surgery. The swelling and discomfort will go away within a few weeks after the procedure. It is common to have lower body swelling due to the lymphatic draining that is occurring within the abdomen. This is improved by wearing Jolie’s specialized body garments and through lymphatic massages by our certified massage therapists.
Post-operative scar care is vital is lessening the appearance of scars. At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we provide patients with post procedural scar care to ensure they heal properly. Within that care we provide specially formulated gels and topical ointments for purchase to aid is this recovery process.
Contact our Tummy Tuck doctors in Miami
We always suggest that patients perform thorough research when deciding which plastic surgeon to perform any procedure on their body. Remember that the results for cosmetic procedures are supposed to be durable; therefore, you should be very comfortable with your doctor. We suggest looking into the doctor’s educational history, training, and previous work such as before and afters.
The best tummy tuck doctors take the time to listen to your desires based on your initial consultation. They will properly evaluate you in determining if you an ideal candidate for this procedure. After the evaluation, they will discuss what breast incision and technique best suits your body composition. And finally, together with a patient, they will decide on the goal from the procedure.
Dedicated abdominoplasty surgeons will also provide you with individualized instructions for post- operative care. They will be willing to display some of their work such as before and after pictures so that patients can get a better sense of the surgeons’ technique. The best abdominoplasty doctor will also be at the patient’s disposal by willing to address any questions or concerns a patient may have.
How much does a Tummy Tuck cost?
The price of the procedure varies according to:
- Surgeon’s experience
- State in which the procedure is performed
- Complexity of the procedure
The complexity of the procedure depends on the amount of skin and fat that must be extracted as well as the type of incision selected.
Although the prices vary by state and surgeon’s experience, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that
“The average cost of a tummy tuck is $5,798, according to 2016 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Tummy tuck surgery cost can vary widely. The average fee referenced above does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. A surgeon's fee will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used, and the geographic office location. Most health insurance does not cover tummy tuck surgery or its complications, but many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.”
At Jolie, the cost of the abdominoplasty may vary from $2,500-$5,000 which includes:
- Surgical facility costs
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical/laboratory tests
- Prescriptions for medications
- Post-op garments
- Surgeon's fee
If you are interested in this life-changing procedure, call Jolie Plastic Surgery at (305) 262-8347 so that you can embrace your beauty once again!
Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions
Scarring: Post-operative scar care is vital is lessening the appearance of scars. At Jolie Plastic Surgery, we provide patients with post procedural scar care to ensure they heal properly. Within that care we provide specially formulated gels and topical ointments for purchase to aid is this recovery process
Lymphatic Massages: Patients undergoing the abdominoplasty procedure must understand that this is a major cosmetic surgery. The swelling and discomfort will go away within a few weeks after the procedure. It is common to have lower body swelling due to the lymphatic draining that is occurring within the abdomen. This is improved by wearing Jolie’s specialized body garments and through lymphatic massages by our certified massage therapists.