Health Care

By: Abigail Aaronson

A tummy tuck, also referred to as abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure, which creates a firmer and more defined abdomen area. As long as the patient chooses a doctor who they can trust and follow all instructions, they usually have desired results.

Most people desire a tummy tuck to remove excess fat and skin in the stomach and abdomen area. The ultimate goal is usually to adjust and tighten the walls of the abdomen. Many candidates get a tummy tuck after pregnancy while others choose to get abdominoplasty after they have undergone a major weight loss regime and want to remove sagging or loose skin.

If you want to get a tummy tuck, you should choose a doctor who you can trust. This doctor should have years of experience performing a tummy tuck and receive regular training. If you are unsure what doctor to choose, asking friends or relatives if they have any recommendations.

Once you have decided on a few doctors, they will ask you to come in for a consultation. During the consultation period the doctor will ask you many questions about your medical condition. If you smoke, you should stop several months before the procedure.

The doctor will ask you also about your goals and expectation so this is the time to explain what you like and do not like about your body. Since abdominoplasty can vary depending on the body structure, you and the doctor will determine together the appropriate procedure.

The procedure should take anywhere from one to five hours to complete if it is a full abdominoplasty and from one to two hours if it is a partial abdiminoplasty, which is also called a mini-tuck. This is also the time to ask the doctor plenty of questions regarding the procedure and about his experience. The doctor will then give you a few directions to follow to prepare for the surgery.

During the full tummy tuck, the doctor will make an incision from one side of the hip to the other side. The doctor will also cut free the belly button and he or she will detach the skin from the abdominal walls. He or she will tighten the muscles and the fascia and will remain any skin and fat. The doctor will then put the old belly button back on the skin. Occasionally the doctor will use liposuction to refine certain areas.

During a partial abdominoplasty, the doctor usually makes a smaller incision. This procedure is usually less invasive and is used when a full tummy tuck is not needed. Finally, with both procedures the doctor will put dressing or a compression garment on the patient and fluid is soon drained. The recovery period can usually last between one to four weeks and if all advice is followed there should be minimal swelling, bruising and discomfort.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, you should research the procedure thoroughly. Make sure you choose a doctor who can trust and follow all instructions to insure minimal risk and complications.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
* About Abigail Aaronson

For creating a firmer and more defined abdomen area try Tummy tuck. San Francisco plastic surgeons remove excess fat and skin in the abdomen area and tighten the walls of the abdomen. Consult one at http://www.drkim.com.

by Lloyd M. Krieger, MD

For those people who wish to lose the unwanted fat around their abdominal area, or who are just trying to get rid of loosened skin due to multiple pregnancies, the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty might be the answer. The tummy tuck is a major operation that includes a tightening of the muscle area in the abdominal wall. As a result, the procedure can dramatically improve the overhanging abdomen. A tummy tuck is a major operation that requires an equally major decision, so it is important that you establish a good communicating relationship with your plastic surgeon prior to the procedure. The Candidate

Anyone who is in good health might be a candidate for this procedure. If dieting and rigorous exercise leaves you with nothing but frustration, then abdominoplasty might do the job you wanted. Women who have had children lose the elasticity of their abdomen, and the tummy can sag. However, those persons who are planning on losing weight should not consider undergoing the procedure of tummy tucking until their weight is stable.

Pre Surgery

The first thing to do if you decide to undergo this procedure is to have a thorough evaluation of your overall health. If you are currently taking medicines, your surgeon should know, and he should be informed of any allergies. Your medical history is important for achieving the best and safest result.

Your plastic surgeon should also frankly tell you about the possibilities and risks, as well as the alternatives and limitations of the procedure; a sound agreement should be made first before proceeding with the operation. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the operation, its recovery, and expected outcome.

In some cases, your surgeon might advise you to consider Los Angeles liposuction instead of a tummy tuck because in some cases liposuction can achieve the desired result. In other cases, a mini tummy tuck can create very impressive results.

Prior to surgery, you should not smoke as this will affect wound healing negatively.

The Surgery

During a Los Angeles tummy tuck, your surgeon will make incisions on both sides of your abdominal area, just above your bikini line and around the navel area. The area under the skin will be freed up to the chest, and the muscles beneath will usually be tightened with stitches. This will provide a slim contour from within, and helps define the waist in a pleasing manner. The excess skin of the tummy is removed, and the wounds are usually closed with stitches all placed under the skin.

Most people experience only mild discomfort following the procedure. It is important to avoid heavy lifting, usually anything more than 15 pounds, for six weeks following the surgery. Most people return to work about ten days following their tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will continue to see you periodically to confirm that your healing is going as expected and might do some work to help the appearance of your scar as it heals.

The tummy tuck procedure is a large surgery, and the results can be very impressive and even life changing. But since it is a larger procedure it is not to be taken lightly, and good communication with your surgeon is the first step to a successful outcome. As a plastic surgeon in California, where we do a lot of tummy tucks, I can tell you that taking the time to communicate will be amply rewarded.


About the Author

Lloyd Krieger is a plastic surgeon and expert in mini tummy tuck and Los Angeles liposuction.

source:www.goarticles.com