What is abdominoplasty?

 Atlanta Abdominoplasty ImageAbdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles to improve your figure.

Is an abdominoplasty right for me?

An abdominoplasty may be a good procedure for you if:

  • You have a hanging or protruding belly
  • You have tried dieting and exercise to reduce your belly, but been unsuccessful
  • You have loose and hanging skin
  • You have slack abdominal muscles
  • You are in good general health

The best candidates are also non-smokers, and you will be expected to temporarily quit smoking during the pre- and post-surgical period if you are a smoker. You are also more likely to be happy with your results if you educate yourself about the procedure. Also be sure you clearly express your goals and follow all postsurgical instructions.

What is the difference between abdominoplasty and liposuction?

Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess skin to reduce a protruding belly. Although excess fat may be removed during an abdominoplasty, the primary goal is to improve the contours of the abdomen by removing excess skin and tightening abdominal muscles. Liposuction targets only excess fat. During recovery after liposuction, healthy, elastic skin will contract, also resulting in a smoother contour.

Which procedure is right for you depends on the amount of sagging, its cause, and the condition of your skin. During your consultation with one of our plastic surgeons, we will discuss which procedure would be better for you.

Can I get an abdominoplasty customized for my body?

Yes. At Marietta Plastic Surgery, our well-trained plastic surgeons can perform a variety of abdominoplasty techniques. These include:

  • Traditional abdominoplasty–targets loose skin and muscles in the abdomen from the ribs to the pubic area
  • Mini tummy tuck–targets loose skin and muscles from the navel to the pubic area
  • Extended tummy tuck–addresses excess fat and loose skin in the love-handle area as well as the front. May improve loose skin in the outer thigh area as well
  • Circumferential–most often used after massive weight loss, this body contouring procedure removes excess skin from around the entire body

During your consultation, we will evaluate your concerns and recommend which variation will help you get the results you desire.

Does abdominoplasty remove stretch marks?

Because stretch marks are in the skin, when skin is removed during an abdominoplasty, some stretch marks will be removed. Others will be repositioned in a lower position on the abdomen, and others will be unaffected. During your consultation, our plastic surgeons can look at your stretch marks and tell you what to expect.

Can other procedures be performed at the same time as my abdominoplasty?

Yes. Abdominoplasty is commonly combined with other procedures, such as:

How is abdominoplasty performed?

A traditional abdominoplasty procedure begins with a very low incision just above the hair-bearing area of the pubis and extending to the hip bones, which can be easily hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. A second incision is made around the navel to preserve it. Excess skin is removed. The abdominal muscles are tightened and cinched together to give the foundation for a slimmer figure. Excess fat and skin in the abdominal region is removed. The remaining skin is pulled over the recontoured abdomen.

Will I have scars after my abdominoplasty?

All surgery leaves scars, and abdominoplasty is no different. However, abdominoplasty scars are so low on the abdomen that it is concealed by most underwear and swimsuits. In fact, women with a prior low-transverse c-section scar will have only one scar after surgery as the abdominoplasty incision will be even slightly lower than the c-section scar which will be removed.

Is an abdominoplasty painful?

An abdominoplasty is associated with discomfort that may last several days or even a couple of weeks. Discomfort from your abdominoplasty during and after surgery can be controlled with medication. Typically during your procedure you will have a regional nerve block injection to help with postoperative pain, and in all cases you will have prescription medication to control your discomfort.

How long is recovery from an abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty is a major surgery, and you should count on taking two weeks off from work for recovery. You should start getting back to normal after about four weeks, and after six weeks you should be able to resume all your normal activities.

Why should I choose Marietta Plastic Surgery for my abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty is a major surgery and you should use care in selecting your plastic surgeon. Four of our surgeons are all board-certified plastic surgeons and have extensive experience performing many different plastic surgery procedures, including abdominoplasty. Our practice maintains its own AAAASF-accredited surgical facility to ensure your procedure is performed with the highest confidence of safety possible.

To learn more about abdominoplasty at Marietta Plastic Surgery, please call or email us today for a tummy tuck consultation.  Serving Marietta, Atlanta, Woodstock and surrounding areas in Georgia.