Tummy Tuck in Birmingham AL

Tummy Tuck Candidates

In general, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck include:

• You are physically healthy and at a stable weight.
• You have realistic expectations.
• You are a nonsmoker.
• You are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen.

A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.

Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, people who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies would be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although they may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that are excised.

Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

The success and safety of your tummy tuck depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You will be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle. Be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals.
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments.
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
• Previous surgeries.

Your tummy tuck surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors.
• Take photographs for your medical records.
• Discuss your options.
• Recommend a course of treatment.
• Discuss likely outcomes of the tummy tuck and any risks or potential complication.
• Answer any questions you have about your tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Risks and Safety

Each patient must decide if the benefits of abdominoplasty surgery will achieve their goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. The risks of a tummy tuck include:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Asymmetry.
• Bleeding.
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis).
• Fluid accumulation (seroma).
• Infection.
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation.
• Persistent pain.
• Poor wound healing.
• Possibility of revisional surgery.
• Recurrent looseness of skin.
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling.
• Skin loss.
• Suboptimal aesthetic result.
• Unfavorable scarring.

Tummy tuck risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all of your concerns about risks with your plastic surgeon. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks.

Preparing for Tummy Tuck Surgery

In preparing for a tummy tuck, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.

Tummy tuck procedures are performed at our accredited Outpatient Surgery Facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

Tummy Tuck Procedure

Abdominoplasty surgery is performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

Tummy Tuck Incisions

A full tummy tuck requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and belly button.

The shape and length of the incision is determined by the amount of excess skin. Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the underlying weakened abdominal muscles are repaired.

A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.

The upper abdominal skin is pulled down like a window shade. The excess skin is trimmed and the remaining skin is sutured together. A new opening for the belly button is created. The belly button is popped through to the surface and sutured into position.

The skin incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

During your tummy tuck recovery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions. You may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your abdomen as it heals following surgery.

Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. Following these instructions is essential to the success of your tummy tuck. The instructions may include:

• How to care for the surgical site and drains.
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection.
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health.
• When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

The surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, motion, swelling or abrasion during the time of healing.

Tummy Tuck Results

Your tummy tuck with Dr. William Hedden, Dr. Stephen Gunn or Dr. Joshua Halka will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight.

The final results of tummy tuck surgery may be initially obscured by swelling and your inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete Within a week or two, you should be standing tall and confident in your new slimmer profile.

The tummy tuck scar may take several months to a year to fade as much as it will. In women who have undergone cesarean section, the existing scars may be incorporated into the new scar.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Tummy Tuck Words to Know

• Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.
• Diastasis: Condition in which abdominal muscles have separated.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
• Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin's surface to reduce fullness.
• Local anesthesia: A drug is injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
• Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.