Also referred to as a “tummy tuck”, an abdominoplasty is a procedure that can remove excess skin and fat, stretch marks, and scars on the lower abdomen. It may also be able to correct unwanted changes that are left after weight loss or childbirth. The procedure is also able to tighten the abdominal muscles and decrease the waistline. Also, a mini Tummy Tuck does not usually involve the tightening of abdominal muscles. Therefore, it is sometimes combined with a liposuction procedure for patients with excessive fat, but only limited looseness of the abdomen.

Abdominoplasty does not involve entering the abdomen itself, only more superficial areas of the body. The incisions for an abdominoplasty procedure extend from just below the pubic line to the belly button. A skilled plastic surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar is hidden under a bathing suit or by undergarments. The plastic surgeon then lifts the loose skin off of the abdominal wall, and tightens and repairs the loosened “rectus” muscles–the muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength–achieving the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.

The procedure will generally take around two hours and be performed under general anesthesia. In most cases, patients return home the same day, and can return to work in ten days to two weeks. Drains will be kept in place for up to a week, and home care can sometimes be beneficial for one to two days.

Another surgical procedure that can help is a total body lift. A total body lift rejuvenates the skin and removes fat from the entire abdomen, thighs and buttocks. A body lift fixes abdominal skin excess, hanging buttocks and sagging thighs. The best candidates for this procedure have hanging skin but only modest amounts of fat. Patients are usually in their late thirties to fifties, or have lost a lot of weight. The incision for a body lift is hidden below the bikini line.

A total body lift takes around seven hours to complete, and is usually performed under general anesthesia. Patients can return home around two days after the procedure has been performed. Two or three weeks of recovery time is necessary before the patient can return to work. No garments should be worn immediately after the surgery. The drains can be removed seven days after the procedure, and physical activity will gradually increase as the patient feels more comfortable.

LookingYourBest.com is an online resource tummy tucks in San Jose. To learn more, please visit http://www.struckmd.com/webpages/abdominoplasty.htm and http://www.struckmd.com/webpages/totalbodylift.htm.

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