Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Purpose of the Procedure
The goal of the tummy tuck operation is to improve the contours of the abdomen and surrounding areas. Treated areas include the abdomen, mons pubis, hips, anterior thighs, and sometimes the lower back and buttocks.
Description of the Procedure
This surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. All surgery is done at Dr. Payne’s MediCare and California State Certified Pueblo Nuevo Surgery Center located within his office.
Incisions are made transversely across the lower tummy with the length of the scar depending on the amount of excess skin and soft tissue present. Some patients are candidates for a mini-tummy tuck and others require a standard tummy tuck for maximum results. The lower half of the abdominal skin and fat are then removed. The belly button is detached from the skin but left attached to the deeper tissues. It is later brought back through the skin and sewn into its new position with a different configuration than the original in order to improve its aesthetic quality. The abdominal muscles are tightened in order to help flatten the tummy and improve the shape of the waist. Liposuction and direct fat sculpting are done on the abdomen and surrounding areas as needed. Sometimes this will include a buttocks lift and fat sculpting of the back and buttocks. This latter approach provides circumferential shaping of the tummy and lower trunk including the buttocks.
There are multiple options and variations of this procedure that can be done. Dr. Payne will interview and examine each patient individually and then present them with their choices as to how they wish to proceed. The final operative game plan will be dictated by the needs of the patient.
Results
Dr. Payne believes that the tummy tuck operation is one of the best surgical procedures in the field of plastic surgery. It has a very high patient satisfaction track record and the results tend to be fairly permanent. The abdominal scar is usually nicely faded after the first year and continues to improve with time.
This is a surgical procedure that can truly change how people look in a major way. When the tummy is corrected it tends to make nearby areas look better as well, so for many patients their breasts and legs look better by comparison after surgery. Tummy tuck procedures are often combined with breast surgery. For example, a patient might choose to have a simultaneous breast augmentation or lift with implants. The results of this type of surgery can be stunning.
Some patients are very conscientious about taking care of themselves. They exercise, eat a good diet and lead healthy lifestyles. Unfortunately for many women, pregnancies and the aging process cause significant problems in the abdomen and surrounding areas. If they have had C-sections or hysterectomies or other tummy operations these scars are often depressed, unsightly, and of poor quality. The surrounding tummy skin is loose and can overhang the mons pubis and inguinal areas like an apron. The skin of the abdomen often has unsightly stretch marks present. The tummy muscles can be flabby and stretched out so that the woman has a poochy tummy that sticks out that no amount of dieting and exercise can correct. Excess subcutaneous fat in the abdomen, mons pubis, hips, back, and buttocks can be very difficult to eliminate. Women tend to be smaller and more petite in the upper body and to deposit excess fat in the lower abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. This throws the body out of balance and creates an aged look. The tummy tuck operation addresses all of these issues and can often make patients look like another human being. Some patients will go down in pant sizes after surgery. Frequently patients find they can now wear different styles of clothing that they tended to previously avoid. Clothes fit better and patients feel slimmer, trimmer, and sexier.
Many tummy tuck patients will lose 5–15 pounds of weight after surgery. This usually results in enhancement of the surgical result because some of this fat will be lost from within the abdominal cavity. Inside the abdomen surrounding our intestines and internal organs there can be a lot of fat deposited. As this fat melts away with weight loss further flattening of the abdomen may be observed in addition to slimming of the lower body, buttocks, and legs. When patients look better after surgery it tends to motivate them to work even harder to get into good shape. This subsequent healthier lifestyle reinforces the satisfaction they initially experience with the tummy tuck procedure.
Recovery
Each patient is given detailed written postoperative instructions regarding surgery as well as appropriate medications. The postoperative experience is discussed in detail with each patient ahead of time so that the patient is prepared for the after-surgery experience. Dr. Payne usually calls each patient the evening of surgery and again the morning after to review all instructions with the caregivers and make sure each patient is being managed appropriately. Dr. Payne or one of his staff members can be reached 24/7 by simply dialing his office phone number (209–524–9904) in case of questions or problems.
Usually a minimum of 2 weeks off work is required following a tummy tuck. Patients are seen one to two times per week for two to four weeks in the office. After that the visits are less frequent. Dr. Payne sees his patients till they are fully recovered and back to their previous lifestyle. It takes the average patient four to six weeks to generally get back to normal. Patients may resume light exercise within ten days to two weeks if they feel ready. Use of abdominal support garments is encouraged until patients feel back to normal.
Cost
Please contact our office for information regarding cost. You can get a ballpark non-binding quote over the phone for this surgical procedure. The cost of the consultation is $100 and will be applied to any surgical procedure that you have. Once you have had your consultation with Dr. Payne the final details of the operative game plan will be made. At that point you will be given a final fee quote. There are multiple options for each patient hence cost may vary from person to person.
Consultation/Scheduling
Please contact our office if you wish to make an appointment to see Dr. Payne for a consultation. Our office staff will be happy to talk to you in detail about this procedure. Feel free to ask lots of questions.
Your initial consultation will be with Dr. Payne. This generally takes about 1 hour. You may visit the office prior to this consultation to have preoperative photographs taken or to simply come by and chat. If you would like you can stop by to see our Before and After Album with dozens of digital images of clients who have undergone tummy tuck surgery. You will be given multiple brochures and other paperwork which will help to prepare you for your consultation. All your options will be discussed with you at the time you make your first appointment.
