Sedentary lifestyles have become a bane of the modern times where most
of the work involves sitting over a desk, without much opportunity to
move about actively. One of the fallouts of this situation is that an
increasing number of men and women are affected by excessive flab around
their waistline. Over a period of time the excess fat deposits become
stubborn and do not respond to physical exercise or diet. In such a situation,
tummy tuck plastic surgery has emerged as one of the most effective procedures
to regain a flat tummy.
If you are located in or around Las Vegas, NV or surrounding communities, you have an opportunity to seek a consultation from Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lane Smith. He heads the Plastic Surgery Institute, which is a fully accredited, state of the art facility for abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgeries. Dr. Smith is a board certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of plastic surgery, and the 1994 recipient of Jack Anderson Award for Scholastic Excellence given by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
What Does A Tummy Tuck Do?
A tummy tuck surgery is aimed at providing you with a flatter abdomen by tightening the loose muscles in your abdominal wall and removing excess skin and fat. It is more extensive and therefore more effective than a liposuction procedure. At the same time, it involves skin tightening, which is not possible with liposuction. Tummy tuck is most commonly applicable in cases where a patient has developed disproportionately excess fat and muscle in the abdominal area due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Major weight fluctuation
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Hereditary factors
- Previous surgery
It is important to understand that while tummy tuck will give you a more proportionate and flatter abdomen, but it is not a weight loss procedure. Women suffering from stretch marks following a pregnancy may achieve some improvement with a tummy tuck, but the procedure is not specifically designed for that problem. At the same time, a tummy tuck is not a substitute for balanced diet and exercise, which are essential to maintain an appealing and pleasant figure in the long run.
Good Candidates
Dr. Smith has performed a large number of tummy tuck surgeries in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. In his experience, a tummy tuck is equally suited for men and women, as long as they are in fantastic health and do not suffer from a condition that could be detrimental to this procedure. A mother who has gone through multiple pregnancies and suffering from loose skin and excess abdominal fat as a result may benefit the most from a tummy tuck.
A person who has experienced a major weight loss, and is left with excess loose skin in the waist region may also consider tummy tuck as an effective option. A woman who is planning to become pregnant in the near future or a person who plans to go on a major weight loss program should not consider a tummy tuck procedure. It is also important to be aware that tummy tuck may result in scarring, and only people who are aware of these results and have realistic expectations from the procedure are ideal candidates.
Procedure
A tummy tuck is a major surgery that is usually performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the procedure may vary from two to six hours, depending on the extent of surgery to be performed and the specific complications of a particular case. Some patients may have to stay overnight at the facility, while others may return home the same day. A full or partial tummy tuck may be performed, depending on the patient’s needs. Different techniques may be used by different surgeons for this procedure.
The most common tummy tuck technique involves placing a horizontal incision just above the pubic region. Depending on the extent of skin to be removed, the surgeon will determine the length of the incision. The patient’s abdominal structure will have to be considered while planning for the incision. The surgeon will aim to keep the resulting scars concealed behind the undergarments, but this may not be possible in every situation.
If the patient has loose skin above the navel area as well, a second incision may be made around the navel to pull down the excess skin. The surgeon will suture the loose underlying muscle and tissue through the incision with an aim to tighten the abdominal wall. If the lower abdomen has stretch marks, they may also be reduced or removed with this procedure.
Recovery
Following a tummy tuck, you will have bandages in the areas where the surgeon has performed the incisions and stitches. You need to follow the surgeon’s instructions to care for the bandages to promote early healing. You may require two to three weeks off from your work, and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for about six weeks. Once you have recovered fully, it is important to maintain a regular diet and exercise program so that you can enjoy the results of a flat tummy for many years to come.
Potential Risks
Temporary side effects following the tummy tuck procedure will include pain, bruising, swelling and numbness in the affected areas. The surgeon may prescribe a painkiller for a few days to provide relief. However, these symptoms will fade away on their own within a few weeks. Some rare potential complications and risks from a tummy tuck include infection, blood clots, or bleeding under the skin flap. Inadequate healing in some cases may lead to significant scars or even some loss of skin. Normal scars arising from tummy tuck will fade away slightly over time, but in most cases the scars are permanent.
Dr. Lane Smith is one of the leading plastic surgeons for tummy tuck surgery in Las Vegas, NV and adjoining areas. He sees patients at his state of the art surgical center in Las Vegas, which provides a comprehensive range of advanced plastic surgery procedures.
