Abdominoplasty is a surgery done on the abdomen to remove excess skin and fat that may have accumulated during pregnancy, aging, or obesity. It is also referred to as a tummy tuck. This surgery tightens the abdominal muscles and helps you to regain a tight tummy and perfect contours.

The Best Candidate for Abdominoplasty

A suitable candidate for Abdominoplasty should be:

• Physically healthy and of stable weight
• A non-smoker
• Bothered by the appearance of your abdomen
• Not planning to get pregnant
• Free of any active diseases (severe pre-existing medical conditions)
• Mentally and emotionally stable

Techniques of Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty requires anesthesia and the available options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

During abdominoplasty, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision in the area between the pubic hairline and the belly button. The length and shape of the cut will be determined by how much excess skin is to be removed. Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the weakened underlying muscles are repaired. The upper abdominal skin is pulled down like a window shade, and then the excess skin is removed. The remaining skin is stitched together; then a new opening for the belly button is created. Then sutures, skin adhesives, tapes, or clips are used to close the skin incisions.

Your tummy tuck will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportional to your body type and weight.

What to Expect after Abdominoplasty

The results of an abdominoplasty procedure may initially be obscured by the swelling and your inability to stand upright until the internal healing is complete.

In women that have undergone a cesarean section, the existing scars may be incorporated into the new scar. It may take some few months to one year to fade. However, good results are expected from your procedure. However, in some instances, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and thus, another surgery may be necessary.

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

There are several benefits for you to achieve from the Abdominoplasty procedure. They include:

• Reduction of stress urinary incontinence—after delivery, some women develop stress urinary incontinence whereby a bladder control problem occurs.
• Improved abdominal tone and a better posture
• A tummy tuck tightens weak muscles while removing excess skin and fat thus flattening the abdomen
• Ventral hernia correction—a weak abdominal wall will allow a hernia to form. But a tummy tuck makes the abdominal wall stronger and prevents the occurrence of a hernia

Abdominoplasty is a surgery that helps you regain your body contours by eliminating excess skin and fat from your abdomen. Many people undergo this surgery every year with great success. If you are affected by obesity or have loose abdominal skin because of pregnancy, consult a tummy tuck specialist to find out if you are a suitable candidate.

Contact Dr. Wendell Perry’s office inAlexandria – Woodbridge, VA & Rockville, MD to find out more about abdominoplasty. We’ll work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for your needs.