West Bloomfield Tummy Tuck

FAQs: Tummy Tuck

 

West Bloomfield Tummy Tuck Specialists

Full tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasties or traditional tummy tucks) and mini tummy tucks (aka partial or modified abdominoplasties) improve the appearance and tone of the abdomen. During a tummy tuck, plastic surgery specialists near West Bloomfield, Michigan, remove excess fat and skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. The surgeon’s overall goal is to provide the patient with an abdomen that is smoother, flatter and more toned.

Tummy Tuck Options Near West Bloomfield, Michigan

The patient’s goals determine whether our plastic surgeon recommends a partial abdominoplasty or a traditional tummy tuck.

The Partial Abdominoplasty

Mini tummy tucks address loose and saggy skin in the area below the navel (aka belly button). During this procedure, the surgeon can also tighten the abdominal wall.

The Traditional Tummy Tuck

A full abdominoplasty focuses on the patient’s entire abdomen, which runs from the breasts to the pubic area. During a full tummy tuck, our specialists remove loose, sagging skin in the upper and lower abdomen. In addition, they tighten the abdominal muscles and abdominal wall. They can also reposition the patient’s navel.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

After an abdominoplasty surgery, many patients experience a boost in their confidence, which improves their self-esteem.

After their surgeon removes fat deposits and excess skin, patients state that their clothes fit comfortably and look nicer.

A partial abdominoplasty can enhance an individual’s overall body contour by providing them with a lower abdomen that is flatter and more toned.

When comparing a traditional abdominoplasty to a mini tummy tuck, the incision is shorter and lower on the abdomen. Since the partial abdominoplasty scar is shorter and lower, it’s more discreet. However, the scars from both of these incisions fade as time passes.

The recovery time following a traditional and partial abdominoplasty is about six weeks. However, patients who have strong abdominal muscles typically begin feeling like themselves about two weeks after surgery. Nonetheless, their body still needs time to heal. Therefore, patients need to follow their recovery instructions and abide by their restrictions until the surgeon releases them to return to their normal activities.

Who Should Consider Having a Tummy Tuck Near West Bloomfield, Michigan?

People who have a loose or sagging abdominal area resulting from weight fluctuations, aging, a surgical procedure (e.g., bariatric surgery) or pregnancy may want to consider having an abdominoplasty near West Bloomfield, Michigan. Women can have a tummy tuck six months after giving birth, once breastfeeding is complete.

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for an Abdominoplasty Near West Bloomfield, Michigan?

The best candidates for an abdominoplasty are people who are at a stable, healthy weight. They must also have realistic expectations about what benefits an abdominoplasty offers them. Furthermore, to enjoy long-lasting results, women shouldn’t plan to become pregnant.

The Traditional Abdominoplasty Procedure: What Patients Can Expect

An abdominoplasty near West Bloomfield, Michigan, is typically an outpatient procedure. Our surgeons perform abdominoplasty procedures at a nearby hospital.

Patients receive twilight or general anesthesia during surgery. Therefore, they cannot drive. Patients must bring a driver with them on the day of their surgery. Patients arriving without a driver will have to reschedule their abdominoplasty procedure. In addition, before the day of their surgery, patients must ask someone they trust to remain with them as a caregiver for at least 24 hours.

Patients should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

Patients need to wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring their driver’s license or identification card, a form of payment and their health insurance card with them.

A full abdominoplasty takes from two to three hours. Patients then spend about an hour in recovery. Therefore, drivers should expect to be at the hospital for approximately four hours.

Pre-op

A member of the medical team takes the patient to the pre-op area. While here, a nurse prepares the patient for surgery. The surgeon visits the patient to answer last-minute questions. It’s normal to feel nervous and somewhat anxious on the day of surgery.

Once preparation is complete, a member of our medical team moves the patient to the surgical suite.

The Surgical Suite

Anesthesia

An anesthesiologist administers medications to help the patient fall asleep. Abdominoplasty patients know ahead of time whether they are receiving general anesthesia or twilight sedation during their surgery.

Creating the Incision

Once the patient is comfortably asleep, the surgeon creates an incision just above the pubic bone. By placing the tummy tuck incision here, patients can easily hide the resulting scar beneath their undergarments and bikini bottoms.

The length of this horizontal incision depends on the amount of skin the specialist is removing. Some patients must receive a long incision that extends from one hip to the other.

Some Patients Receive an Incision Around Their Navel

When a patient has fat and excess skin in the upper abdomen, the surgeon addresses this section of the abdomen by creating an incision around the navel. After removing the excess skin, the specialist may need to reposition the patient’s belly button.

Removing Small Pockets of Extra Fat

The surgeon lifts the abdominal skin and then separates it from the fascia. The specialist then uses liposuction to remove excess fat pockets.

Repairing the Abdominal Muscles

After removing the fat pockets, our specialist uses permanent sutures to repair separated or stretched abdominal muscles.

Excising the Extra Abdominal Skin

The surgeon pulls down the skin and then trims away the excess.

Closing the Outer Incisions

After removing the excess skin, the specialist uses clips, sutures, skin adhesives, tape or a combination of these products to close the outer incisions.

Bandaging the Abdomen and Applying the Compression Garment

Nurses bandage the patient’s abdominal area and then apply a compression garment. This compression garment provides support, reduces swelling and assists the abdomen as it heals. Tummy tuck patients wear this compression garment four to six weeks.

Initially, patients only take it off to shower. After a few weeks, most patients can remove their compression garments while sleeping as well.

The Recovery Area

Patients remain in the recovery area until they awaken and their surgeon is satisfied with their post-surgical progress.

Heading Home

The surgeon releases the patient to their driver. Patients receive instructions about caring for their incisions, wearing their compression garments and the restrictions they need to follow. Patients may also receive information about their post-surgical appointments at Chau Plastic Surgery in Berkley, near West Bloomfield, Michigan.

It will be difficult for the patient to stand up straight. They may need to stay slightly bent over when they stand for a few days after surgery.

Most patients sleep for several hours once they get home. However, to prevent blood clots from forming, patients need to walk around for a few minutes several times a day.

General Recovery Timeline for a Traditional Tummy Tuck Near West Bloomfield, Michigan

The key to a smooth and successful recovery is following the surgeon’s post-op guidelines and giving the body the time it needs to heal.

Although each patient is unique, a general recovery timeline can give patients an idea of what to expect after their traditional abdominoplasty near West Bloomfield, Michigan.

The First Week

The first week of recovery is usually the most difficult. Patients should expect to experience inflammation, pain and bruising in the treatment areas and around their incisions.

Patients will need assistance performing simple tasks and must avoid putting strain on their abdomen. Patients should also get an adequate amount of rest.

The Second Week

In the second week of their recovery, patients regain much of their mobility and start to feel better. The bruises and inflammation begin to subside.

About 14 days after surgery, tummy tuck patients who receive non-dissolving sutures return to Chau Plastic Surgery so their surgeon can remove them.

At this point, patients who work at a desk can usually return to work. Nonetheless, patients must still avoid performing strenuous activities.

The Third and Fourth Weeks

During weeks three and four, patients experience a substantial amount of improvement in their comfort level and mobility.

Inflammation continues to decrease, and the patient’s tummy tuck results become more evident.

Most Chau Plastic Surgery patients can return to their normal routine at the end of their fourth week of recovery. However, they must still refrain from participating in sports and performing strenuous exercises. Most patients can resume these activities once they are six weeks post-op.

Abdominal Scarring: What Patients Need to Know

Abdominoplasty incisions do result in scars. However, with proper care, these scars usually fade substantially within several months to a year.

Silicone Strips and Cream for Scarring

By following their plastic surgery specialist’s scar-care instructions, patients can help reduce the visibility of their abdominoplasty scars. For example, after their tummy tuck, patients may be able to use silicone cream or silicone strips to reduce the visibility of their scars.

Patients Shouldn’t Expose Their Incisions to UV Light

If a patient exposes their incisions to UV light before they heal all the way, the incisions typically darken. This darkening can be permanent, which makes the resulting scars more visible.

Follow-Up Appointments After a Tummy Tuck Near West Bloomfield, Michigan

For our surgeons to monitor their patients’ post-surgical progress, patients must commit themselves to attending all their follow-up appointments.

Traditional Adbominoplasty Results

Once the inflammation and bruising diminish, patients can see their final results. As long as the patient establishes a workout regimen and eats healthy foods, they should be able to maintain their look for years to come.

A Mini Tummy Tuck Near West Bloomfield, Michigan

The partial abdominoplasty focuses on lax skin, fat and abdominal muscle separation in the area beneath the belly button. A modified abdominoplasty is a good option for individuals who have a lower abdomen that extends out further than their upper abdomen does.

People who want to have a partial abdominoplasty must be close to the body weight the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends for their height.

The Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure

A partial abdominoplasty takes two to three hours, and patients remain in recovery for about an hour.

Patients must arrive at the hospital 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

Pre-op

While in pre-op, a nurse takes the patient’s vitals and prepares them for surgery. The patient’s surgeon visits them in pre-op. This is a good time for patients to ask their last-minute questions.

A member of the medical team transports the patient to the surgical suite.

Surgical Suite

Anesthesia

To ensure the patient remains comfortable and pain-free during surgery, an anesthesiologist administers general or twilight anesthesia.

Incision Creation

The surgeon makes an incision above the pubic area in the lower abdomen. By placing it here, the patient can easily hide it with their undergarments or bikini bottoms.

Removing Excess Fat

Although fat removal is possible through excision, surgeons frequently use liposuction to remove fat deposits in the lower abdomen.

Tightening the Muscles

If necessary, the surgeon uses permanent sutures to tighten the patient’s abdominal muscles.

Excess Skin Removal

The surgeon pulls the excess skin down and then excises it.

Closing the Outer Incision

Our plastic surgery specialist uses sutures, tape, clips, skin adhesives or a combination of these products to close the tummy tuck incision.

Bandaging and Applying the Compression Garment

Nurses apply bandages and a compression garment to the lower abdomen.

Recovery Area

Patients spend about an hour in the recovery area. Initially, it may be difficult for the patient to stand up straight. So, they may need to walk slightly bent over for a few days.

Before leaving, the patient receives instructions about caring for their incisions and wearing their compression garment, as well as restrictions to follow.

Heading Home

Upon arriving home, most patients sleep for several hours. This is usually due to the anesthesia they receive during surgery.

Patients must walk around periodically to reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation.

A General Timeline for Recovering From a Mini Tummy Tuck

Patients need to continue wearing their compression garments. This garment provides support, keeps inflammation down and helps the abdomen as it heals. They wear this garment for four to six weeks.

Initially, patients wear their compression garments continuously, only removing them to shower. However, after a couple of weeks, most patients can also remove their garments while sleeping.

After a partial abdominoplasty, patients must avoid lifting objects and participating in strenuous activities for at least six weeks.

Patients are unable to drive while they are taking prescription pain medication. In addition, they may find it painful to drive for some time. Therefore, patients need to use for-hire transportation or ask someone to bring them to and from their appointments at Chau Plastic Surgery. Most patients can return to driving about a week after their abdominoplasty.

Four to Five Days

Patients experience mild to moderate discomfort and pain. Their surgeon may recommend over-the-counter pain medication or provide the patient with prescription medication.

Week One

Patients must avoid unnecessary straining. Walk around periodically to prevent blood clots from forming.

Week Two

Patients can typically resume light exercises.

Weeks Three to Four

During this stage of recovery, most of the inflammation subsides.

How Long Will Mini Tummy Tuck Results Last?

Unless the patient gains weight, loses weight or becomes pregnant, the partial abdominoplasty results are long-lasting.

An Abdominoplasty Consultation at Chau Plastic Surgery Near West Bloomfield, Michigan

The board-certified plastic surgery specialists at Chau Plastic Surgery determine which tummy tuck procedure can help the patient reach their goals.

Patients must let their surgeon know if they’ve previously had surgery or medical treatments. Patients need to let their surgeon know if they have a medical condition (e.g., diabetes).

In addition, the plastic surgery specialist wants to know which herbal supplements, medications and vitamins they take. Some of these products may need to be decreased or discontinued for at least 10 days before the patient’s surgery. That said, patients taking prescription medication must always contact their prescribing physician to receive permission to change their dosage or discontinue medications.

For safety’s sake, patients must tell their surgeon if they take recreational drugs or regularly drink alcoholic beverages.

To prevent complications, patients who smoke need to quit for at least three weeks before and three weeks after their abdominoplasty.

Patients should expect to have photos taken of their abdominal area. These photographs help the surgeon create their custom-designed surgical plan. These photos are also great for comparison purposes after surgery and once the patient’s healing is complete.

Potential Complications and Risks of a Mini or Traditional Tummy Tuck

All procedures come with risks. During the patient’s consultation, their surgeon will discuss the risks and potential complications associated with abdominoplasty procedures.

Some of the risks and potential complications associated with a tummy tuck are:

• A need for additional surgery.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Infection.
• Skin necrosis.
• Visible scarring.

To minimize the likelihood of complications, patients must choose a board-certified plastic surgery specialist to perform their abdominoplasty near West Bloomfield, Michigan.

How Much Will an Abdominoplasty Near West Bloomfield, Michigan, Cost?

Every patient is unique. Therefore, the cost of their tummy tuck depends on their specific needs. At Chau Plastic Surgery, specialists determine how much an abdominoplasty will cost during the patient’s initial consultation.

Does Health Insurance Cover Abdominoplasty Procedures?

Since an abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure, health insurance won’t cover it. However, sometimes, insurance will cover a panniculectomy. This procedure concentrates on removing excess fat and abdominal skin that hangs down over the thighs and genital area, causing rashes to develop.

If you’re in the West Bloomfield, Michigan, area and thinking about having a tummy tuck, choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgery specialist to perform your procedure is essential. At Chau Plastic Surgery, our specialists’ dedication to excellence, artistic vision, caring demeanor and skill place them among the top plastic surgeons in the Detroit Metro Area. To learn more, please call Chau Plastic Surgery at (248) 799-2880 today. Our office is in Berkley, Michigan, at 27901 Woodward Avenue, Suite 100.