Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty)
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck”, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and, if necessary, to repair and tighten the stomach muscles. The outcome is a trimmer and tighter tummy which is more consistent with overall shape and muscle tone. Men and women can benefit equally from a tummy tuck. The best candidates are men or women who are in relatively good shape but have a protruding abdomen or fat deposits and loose skin around the abdomen despite dieting and exercise. This is especially true for women who have had multiple pregnancies, as well as older patients who have a loss of skin elasticity.
Procedure Benefits
- Reduces and tightens loose and excess skin around the abdomen.
- Tightens the abdominal muscles.
Private Consultation
After your surgeon at our conveniently located Cincinnati offices evaluates the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, he or she will describe the procedure(s), alternatives, your expectations, and the risks and limitations. For example, fat deposits limited to the area below the navel may require a less complex procedure, or you might benefit from an abdominoplasty in combination with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips. Your surgeon will also evaluate your overall health and go over your complete medical history to be sure that you are able to undergo this procedure. Patients who intend to lose significant weight should wait, as should women who are planning future pregnancies because the muscles tightened during abdominoplasty can separate during pregnancy.
Preparation
Your surgeon will explain the preparations you need to make prior to surgery, including guidelines for diet and medications. If you are a smoker, you need to stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to the procedure, as nicotine can delay or even compromise the healing process (you will also need to avoid smoking for at least two weeks after your procedure). You should avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen. If you develop a cold or infection, your surgery will likely be postponed. A friend or family member will need to drive you home after your surgery, and to assist you for a day or two when you return home.
Procedure Overview
The procedure is performed typically in two to three hours (depending on the extent of surgery needed) under general anesthesia in our surgical facility in West Chester. An incision is made across the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone, the skin and fat are separated from the abdominal wall, and the excess skin and fat are removed. The abdominal muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position, which results in a firmer abdominal wall and narrow waistline. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. A small incision creates a new opening for the navel, which is brought out through the opening and sutured to the new skin. Stretch marks and scars may also be removed during surgery. A temporary drain may be placed in the skin to reduce swelling from excess fluid; these are removed a few days later. All incisions are then closed and dressing applied. In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, excess skin is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.
Recovery and Healing Time
Initial wound healing may take 5 to 10 days, and you will have swelling and some discomfort which can be controlled by medication. It will be difficult to stand straight in the beginning, but you should start walking as soon as possible so as to avoid blood clots and other complications. The stitches will be removed as soon as the incisions have healed, and you should be able to return to work and normal activity (although you should not engage in excessive lifting or vigorous exercise for 6 weeks). You must avoid any overexposure of your abdomen to the sun during this period. Healing will continue for several weeks as the swelling goes down and the incision lines improve. The results of a tummy tuck are usually long lasting if you follow a balanced diet and exercise. Although your scars may remain slightly pink for perhaps a year after surgery, they will fade.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Excessive bleeding during surgery
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Hematoma (risk is 3-4%)
- Keloid (heavy scar)
- Suture rupture
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
