Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat in the mid-section caused by pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuation or heredity. It can change the contour of your stomach by restoring a firm, toned appearance that often can’t be achieved through diet and exercise alone.

Tummy Tuck New York CityIf loose skin and muscle are confined to the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck may be all that is necessary. The advantage of a mini tuck is a shorter scar and easier recovery. In addition, it is usually not necessary to reposition the belly button with a mini tuck.

If the patient does not have an excess skin and the muscles are loose due to pregnancy or genetics, an endoscopic abdominoplasty can be performed using only a small suprapubic incision.

If muscles and skin are loose throughout the entire abdomen, then a full tummy tuck is ordinarily recommended. This necessitates a longer incision across the lower abdomen as well as an incision around the navel.

Generally, a horizontal incision is placed just within or above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends largely on the amount of skin to be removed. The contour of this incision will vary somewhat according to the structure of your abdomen and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer, as we will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines. This incision can be used to perform a thigh lift, therefore avoiding a separate groin incision.

No drains are used, but the patient will typically wear a “liposuction compression garment” for few weeks

Some patients present with a skin laxity in the upper abdomen. For this condition, Dr. Verga offers a “Reverse Abdominoplasty” where the incision is placed in the inframammary creases (natural creases under the breasts). This technique was utilized in conjunction with a breast lift taking advantage of the inframammary scar. If the patient is a candidate, Dr. Verga will utilize this technique to enlarge the breasts with the excess skin and fat of the abdomen avoiding implants.

Tummy tuck patients should normally plan a period of 1 to 2 weeks for recovery, though this may vary. Liposuction can be performed in conjunction with all those types of abdominoplasties to complete the abdominal wall reshaping.