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Abdominoplasty In Portsmouth At AW Plastic Surgery
Having a strong core is essential to maintaining a healthy body. The muscles in the abdomen play an integral role in supporting the back and synchronizing the movements of the upper and lower body.
Aesthetically, weakened abdominal muscles and loose skin can cause the stomach to protrude or look “flabby,” even when the affected individual is at a healthy weight. Whether due to pregnancy or significant weight loss, Dr. Wilson uses tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, to restore both the functionality and the appearance of the abdomen. If your stomach has changed due to pregnancy or weight gain, tummy tuck surgery can help you reclaim your sleek, strong contours.
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What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that is often performed to treat weakened or separated abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat.
Without strong abdominal muscles in place to compress the abdominal cavity, organs and other tissues start to push forward, causing the stomach to protrude. This is why many mothers retain a small belly “pouch” even after they have lost all of their baby weight. These cosmetic issues are usually accentuated by the presence of loose, stretched skin.
Weakened abdominal muscles also have important health implications. Over time, they can lead to chronic lower back pain and increase a person’s risk of ventral hernia.
Tummy tuck surgery can repair damaged abdominal muscles in your abdominal wall and restore your ability to maintain a flat stomach through healthy lifestyle changes.
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Who is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck candidates must be within about 25 pounds of their ideal weight; otherwise, further weight loss could affect the results. Pregnancy can also compromise the results of tummy tuck surgery, so mothers interested in having abdominoplasty should wait until their family is complete.
All tummy tuck patients must also be in good overall health and current nonsmokers. When you visit Dr. Wilson for a consultation, he’ll review your complete medical history (including any medications or supplements you take) in order to clarify your eligibility for this procedure.
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The Tummy Tuck Procedure
We offer three different types of tummy tuck procedures: full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and modified tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck
During full tummy tuck surgery, incisions are made along the patient’s underwear line and around his or her navel. These incision sites give Dr. Wilson access to both the upper and lower abdomen, allowing him to place specialized sutures in areas where the tissue has been torn. These sutures are designed to dissolve gradually after the patient’s damaged tissue has healed.
If the patient has unwanted excess fat, Dr. Wilson will use liposuction to remove it. Then, he will carefully drape the skin over the patient’s contoured abdomen and remove any excess.
A full tummy tuck surgery is generally the preferred choice for patients who have extensive sagging in their abdomen. Women who have had multiple pregnancies and patients with a history of obesity often benefit profoundly from this type of abdominoplasty.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Mini tummy tuck surgery utilizes the same techniques as full tummy tuck surgery, but they are applied only to the lower abdomen. Mini tummy tuck surgery involves just one incision along the underwear line, which allows Dr. Wilson to perform liposuction and tighten the skin below the navel.
Mini tummy tuck surgery is ideal for patients who have mild to moderate aesthetic concerns to address. Patients who have gained (and lost) less than 50 pounds, for example, usually don’t require full abdominoplasty. Mature patients who are struggling with fat centralization (the presence of diet-resistant belly fat) and age-related skin laxity also generally make good candidates for this procedure.
Dr. Anthony Wilson
When you are seeking a qualified and talented plastic surgeon, look no further than board-certified Dr. Anthony Wilson with AW Plastic Surgery. Dr. Wilson has a passion for both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and the body. He takes deep satisfaction in giving his patients the tools they need to feel confident, whole, and beautiful, no matter where they are in their aesthetic journey.
Dr. Wilson is recognized as an expert in cosmetic facial enhancement through both surgical and non-surgical measures. He is a national trainer for Revance and attends industry training to stay on top of the latest techniques. He conducts a multi-layered approach to aging and aesthetics, combining skincare and surgery to achieve a customized, natural result. Part of AW Plastic Surgery’s positive patient results stem from a stellar supporting group of aesthetic professionals. Dr. Wilson is backed by a strong team of injectors, nurses, and aestheticians at AW Plastic Surgery who ensure a high level of service.
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Modified Tummy Tuck Surgery
Dr. Wilson gives all his patients the option of customizing their abdominoplasty procedures to meet their individual needs. Abdominoplasty can be modified to incorporate aspects of mini tummy tuck surgery and full tummy tuck surgery. For example, a patient might choose to have a single lower abdominal incision made but still have liposuction performed on his or her upper abdomen. When you visit our Portsmouth plastic surgery practice, Dr. Wilson will carefully review your cosmetic goals and ask you about your recovery preferences. From there, he will help you choose the abdominoplasty techniques that are right for you.
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Recovery
The recovery time required after abdominoplasty varies depending on which type of procedure you have. Patients who have full tummy tuck surgery usually need to rest for 10 to 14 days. They can then engage in light exercise (but still avoid heavy lifting) for up to two months.
Patients who have mini tummy tuck surgery may only need a week of bed rest, followed by three weeks of reduced activity. Dr. Wilson will give you a detailed recovery plan so that you know what to expect throughout the healing process.
To reduce the discomfort associated with tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Wilson uses Exparel. Exparel is an opioid-free pain reduction system that works by blocking nerve impulses in treated areas. Unlike opioid medications, it will not cause drowsiness or dizziness, and it is not habit-forming.
As for results, you’ll see some initial results immediately, but due to swelling after the procedure, it will likely take a few weeks to a few months for the final results to appear.
Schedule A Consultation
Are you struggling with excess skin around the abdomen? Or are you dealing with weakened or separated muscles? You are likely a good candidate for a tummy tuck. To schedule a consultation, call our Portsmouth, NH office today or use our online contact form. Dr. Wilson will listen to your concerns and build a customized treatment plan to suit all your needs.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
What is Post-Treatment Abdominal Swelling Like?
There is minimal but persistent swelling after abdominoplasty. The swelling is dependent on the amount of liposuction performed. More liposuction results in more swelling and a need for longer use of your post-operative compression garment. Swelling can persist for several weeks to months after surgery and is affected by diet (salt), exercise, and excessive activity.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
Recovery is both short-term and long-term. Because we now use Exparel for all of our abdominoplasties, the short-term recovery is very quick. Exparel is a long-lasting local pain reliever that blocks pain perception for approximately 72 hours. During this period, patients feel well. This has drastically changed the early postoperative period for our patients. After the immediate recovery, patients typically start walking normally at one week. Patients then return to light exercise at two weeks and full exercise at six weeks to two months – but everyone is different. We recommend you take two weeks off from work and expect to be back to normal activities in six weeks.
Why Can’t You Liposuction in Front of the Six-Pack Muscles During a Traditional Abdominoplasty?
Liposuction to this area during abdominoplasty can result in poor wound healing and places patients at higher risk for a suboptimal outcome. This is an option only for select patients.
Will This Operation Help Me Lose Weight?
A tummy tuck will not help you lose weight! Patients should be weight stable and at their ideal weight when they choose to undergo abdominoplasty. The skin and fat removed during an abdominoplasty actually weighs very little.
Will I Have Drains After the Surgery?
We use drains in most of our abdominoplasties. Certain patients who are undergoing abdominoplasty without any liposuction may be candidates for a “drainless” abdominoplasty.
Will Sutures Need to be Removed After Surgery?
All of our sutures are dissolving and will not need to be removed.
How Long Will I Be Out of Work?
You can expect to be out of work for approximately two weeks. Although, this depends on the type of work you perform. Patients with more active jobs may have a longer downtime.
How Long Before I Can Exercise?
You can start basic exercise two weeks after your surgery. This includes light walking and light machine work. For many patients, this may be too soon to start, and an additional week or two may be needed. You can expect to be back to regular exercise at six weeks to two months after your procedure.
My Abdomen Feels Tight After Surgery. Will I Hurt Something If I Move?
A tight abdomen after surgery is a good thing! This sensation will soften over several weeks to months. You should respect the tight feeling and not push too hard in your activities or motions until that feeling resolves. You can pull a stitch or hurt your final result if you are too active.
Can I Become Pregnant After an Abdominoplasty? What Happens If I Do?
We strongly recommend that you wait to have an abdominoplasty until after you are done having children. A pregnancy after abdominoplasty will cause a loss of your surgical resulta with the return of loose abdominal skin and muscles.
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