Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) after Massive Weight Loss
Who is a candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
“Excess” abdominal fat can be treated several ways. The deciding factor is the amount and condition of the excess skin and the condition of the abdominal muscles. For less than two inches of skin, liposuction is generally all that is necessary. A standard abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is intended for people of relatively normal weight that are suffering from moderate “belly overhang.” Belly overhang can be the result of pregnancy, weight fluctuation or genetic predisposition. It is not the answer for a huge overhang of skin. Those who have lost significant weight may be candidates for a tummy tuck procedure to remove large amounts of skin and fat and potentially repair a condition called diastasis recti, or separation of the abdominal muscles. Your preoperative consultation and exam will determine the right procedure for you.
Those desiring a narrower waist and tighter abdomen are good candidates providing they are not smokers or have poor circulation.
How is Tummy Tuck Surgery done?
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the mid and lower abdomen, tightens the abdominal muscle fascia, and contours the abdominal wall through liposuction. An incision is made near the pubic hairline from hip to hip. It is designed low enough to be undetectable in bikini attire. If necessary, sagging or separated vertical muscles in the abdomen are tightened with permanent internal sutures. After tightening the layers of the abdominal wall, liposuction can be used to refine the result. Skin and tissue are pulled down and excess skin is removed. In most cases, the navel is reshaped. Individual conditions of the abdomen vary so a variety of tummy tuck techniques may be used. Abdominoplasty is considered major aesthetic surgery and takes from 2-4 hours. A deep layer provides the strength of the closure using permanent sutures. Two additional layers of stitches create the final closure of the incisions. These two layers dissolve and therefore do not require removal.
Recuperation after Tummy Tuck Surgery
Depending upon your progress, you can expect to stay one to two nights in the hospital. Drainage tubes placed during the operation to drain excess fluid are usually removed 5-10 days after surgery. You will be fitted for a compression garment after the drains are removed. The garment will be worn for 4-6 weeks. You can expect to be bent at the waist for 10-14 days. It usually takes about 4 weeks to return to normal energy levels. Returning to “normal” activity levels too quickly can lead to complications including accumulation of blood or fluid and the opening of incisions. Scar maturation can take up to one year. You can expect a temporary loss of sensation or numbness that can last for several months and there may be some areas that remain permanently numb.
Other Options
- Liposuction
- Other body procedures may be performed in conjunction with abdominoplasty including lower body lift, buttock lift, or medial (inner) thigh lift.
A word about financing…
Abdominoplasty can be made very affordable through our partners at Capital One. Visit them at www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com Yvette would be happy to answer any of your questions or assist you with the necessary paperwork.
More information on financial planning and payment options
Facility and Associated Fees
Dr. Peters provides for his patient’s comfort and safety by using Physicians Surgical Specialty Hospital in Houma, LA. All procedures are done in their surgery center and recovery and aftercare is on site. The hospital staff is familiar with all the procedures Dr. Peters provides and you can expect excellent care at a reasonable price.
Your surgical fee will include:
- Pre operative lab work
- EKG
- Use of the operating room and supplies
- Intravenous antibiotics
- Anesthesia
- Overnight stay with nursing care
- Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis (to prohibit the formation of blood clots in the legs)
Your fee will not include:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Chest X-ray reading(if necessary)
- Additional night in the hospital
- Prescribed medications
- Pathology(for tissue specimens, if necessary)
Insurance Notes
Abdominoplasty is generally considered an aesthetic procedure and as such is not covered by insurance. As a massive weight loss patient, your condition may warrant a conversation with your carrier. Yvette will be happy to submit any pre certification required.
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Ask Dr. Peters about Abdominoplasty Surgery
Can I have an abdominoplasty if I intend to have children?
You can have a tummy tuck prior to having children, but if you get pregnant you will likely lose some of the benefits you have gained. I would recommend against having a tummy tuck if you intend to have children since we tighten the abdominal muscles.
If I exercise after losing a lot of weight, won’t that improve my shape?
Exercise is a great way to tone and strengthen your muscles but it cannot replace the effectiveness of surgery for damaged or loose skin.
I have heard of a non surgical tummy tuck. What is that?
A new form of light based energy uses laser heat to tighten excess skin. This does not address even minor fat pockets but may improve very mild sagging.
My stomach hangs over my pubic region ever since I lost weight. Can a tummy tuck pull this up and tighten it?
What you are describing may necessitate a procedure called panniculectomy to reduce significant skin and fat hanging below the abs. This degree of skin sag is often experienced by those who were morbidly obese. Gastric bypass patients or those who lost tremendous amounts of weight through diet and exercise often need this type of body contouring for overall hygiene as well as aesthetic considerations.
I have heard the scar sometimes “drops” or changes location. Is this true?
Scars can “migrate”. I use a method which anchors the abdominal wall reconstruction using permanent stitches. This significantly decreases the chances of scar migration.
Will my belly button move?
The belly button does not change location. It is detached from the surrounding skin and a new shape is created in the abdominal skin that is pulled down.
Am I in danger of having a hernia after this surgery?
It is very unlikely a hernia will be created from this procedure.
Describe the patient who needs just a tummy tuck vs. a panniculectomy vs. one who needs a body lift or belt lipectomy.
The tummy tuck and panniculectomy address only the front of the trunk (abdomen). The lower body lift is circumferential treatment of the trunk. Specifically, the lower body lift is a tummy tuck, lateral thigh lift, and a buttock lift. The main difference between the tummy tuck and panniculectomy is the muscle tightening and liposuction for the tummy tuck; the panniculectomy simply removes the overhanging skin. Both procedures reconstruct the abdominal wall using the permanent anchor stitches in order to produce the best abdominal contour.
