Candidates
There are a number of reasons why a patient may have excess fat or poor skin elasticity in the abdominal area. The best candidates for tummy tucks are patients who are relatively in good shape but have a large fat deposit or sagging abdominal skin that will not respond to diet or exercise. The following reasons could create this:
- Significant changes in weight
- Aging
A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak tissue. A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery.
You may want to postpone a tummy tuck if you are planning pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Dr. Quintero aims to provide patients with natural results that fit their goals; enhancing the already beautiful you.
Procedure Steps
A tummy tuck is an outpatient surgery, allowing you to go home that same day. The procedure rarely requires a hospital stay.
For a tummy tuck, Dr. Quintero makes a long incision from hip bone to hip bone just above the pubic area. A second incision is also made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. Connective tissue that lies over the abdominal muscles is then tightened with permanent sutures.
Dr. Quintero will then reposition the skin around your belly button. The incision from hip to hip above the pubic hair will be stitched together and will leave a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line.
Safety Preparation & Risk
In order to perform a safe tummy tuck, a patient must be up to date on their physical exam. We also ask that patients stop certain medications and all nicotine products. Dr. Quintero would like for patients to follow these recommendations for a better healing and recovery process.
Possible risks of a tummy tuck include the following:
- Fluid accumulation beneath the skin
- Poor wound healing
- Unexpected scarring
- Tissue damage
- Changes in skin sensation
Recovery
For the first days after surgery it is common that a patient’s abdomen will be swollen and that there is some pain and discomfort. Dr. Quintero will prescribe you pain medication to assist with this. Although you will have limited range of motion, you should try to walk as soon as possible. Dr. Quintero will remove your sutures in 7 to 10 days. Many patients return to normal activities in 4 weeks. Patients also have a pain pump for three to four days after surgery to control pain and have drains for five to fourteen days, if not performing a drainless procedure.
