Tummy Tuck

Abdominal skin which has stretched significantly — whether from dramatic weight loss or other causes — often won’t return to its original tone. For women, in particular, abdominal skin and muscle often stretch and lose tone due to factors like pregnancy. Even individuals who undertake strenuous diet and exercise routines to improve their abdominals won’t be able to restore this loss of tone effectively. A tummy tuck procedure, however, can target this hard to improve area, reduce excess skin and improve muscle tone to give individuals tight, firm abs again and the smooth mid-section they desire.

Abdominoplasty, also commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that can tighten abdominal muscles, excise loose skin and removes excess fat to restore a toned abdomen with smooth skin and substantially improved body contours. The procedure, in the hands of a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Odinet, is highly customizable and can give individuals the precise amount of rejuvenation they desire, whether they have mild or more severe symptoms. Dr. Odinet’s training along with the personalized attention and care given to each patient from consultation through recovery ensure patients’ have outstanding results after surgery.

What is a tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty is a procedure designed for individuals who wish to restore a tight and contoured abdominal area. Dr. Odinet may tighten muscles in this area, excise loose skin and remove excess fat to ensure each patient has the highest-quality outcome. Dr. Odinet will usually perform this procedure under general anesthesia, and the surgery will sometimes require an overnight hospital stay. The results of the surgery can be very long-lasting especially if the patient maintains a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise after they have recovered from surgery. A tummy tuck is also frequently performed with complementary procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction to give each client his or her desired level of rejuvenation.

Is a tummy tuck right for me?

Men and women who have concerns about the appearance of their midsections which diet and exercise cannot address are often good candidates for a tummy tuck procedure. You should visit Dr. Odinet for a consultation to determine if a tummy tuck is the right approach for you if:

  • You are older, were previously overweight and have folds of loose skin
  • You have a significant amount of loose skin due to dramatic weight loss
  • You have excess fat which a consistent diet and exercise routine has not reduced
  • You are a woman with muscles and skin stretched as a result of pregnancy

To be considered for surgery, patients must have reached a healthy weight and demonstrated their ability to maintain a healthy routine of diet and exercise to maintain a stable, healthy weight. Women must have finished having children. Additional weight gain or pregnancy after a tummy tuck procedure can adversely affect your results.

How To Choose Your Tummy Tuck Surgeon

A tummy tuck is a major surgery which should only be trusted to surgeons who have received significant training in the procedure, have been board-certified to perform it, have significant experience performing it and also have a discerning and artistic eye. Dr. Odinet encompasses all of these qualifications as a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with nearly 30 years in practice helping individuals overcome a wide variety of health and cosmetic concerns. Any surgeon you consider for your tummy tuck procedure should also have a sincere consideration for your intended goals and desired outcomes and ensure that all aspects of your procedure are considered from your preparation for surgery to your time in recovery. Dr. Odinet prides himself on taking a comprehensive view to patient care, ensuring that outstanding results are achieved with the utmost concern for patient health and comfort.

The Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck offers qualified patients many visible benefits which include:

  • Flatter abs with smoother abdominal skin
  • Tighter abdominal muscles
  • Reduced loose skin in the abdominal area
  • Elimination of some stretch marks
  • A repositioned belly button for a restored and more natural look

Although a tummy tuck can restore the appearance of the abs and resolve many common concerns that men and women have, it is not always the ideal procedure for everyone. During your consultation with Dr. Odinet, you will explore whether a tummy tuck or another procedure will best address the symptoms you have and achieve your desired look. Your concerns and desired outcome will always dictate the most appropriate course of treatment.

The Tummy Tuck Consultation Process

Every tummy tuck procedure will be tailored to the needs of the individual patient based on factors which include how much skin must be excised and whether or not muscle augmentation or fat removal will be necessary. The minimal amount of treatment will be given to achieve each patient’s desired results, ensuring each patient’s safety throughout the procedure.

The Mini Tummy Tuck

One option which Dr. Odinet will discuss with you when determining how much augmentation is needed is the mini tummy tuck procedure. This technique utilizes a shorter incision, permits the excision of less skin but can still provide the appropriate level of rejuvenation for specific candidates. The shorter incision also has other advantages, including a shorter and more comfortable recovery time and a smaller scar after recovery. Like a full tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck can address muscle laxity, and fat removal can also be performed concurrently with the procedure. However, navel repositioning is not possible during a mini tummy tuck. Patients can also pair a mini tummy tuck with other procedures — CoolSculpting or liposuction, for example — just as they would if they were having a full tummy tuck. For the right candidates, a mini tummy tuck can provide outstanding results with greater convenience than a full tummy tuck.

Dr. Odinet will assess whether you qualify for this version of the surgery and present it as an option to you during your consultation if your symptoms and goals warrant it. If you qualify for a mini tummy tuck, the choice of whether to have a mini or full tummy tuck is yours to make. Dr. Odinet will explain the opportunities and drawbacks of each procedure in detail and welcome any questions you have about the techniques. The goal of the consultation process is to ensure that you are fully informed about each of your options so that you can make a sound choice to achieve your goals and leave with a complete understanding of your procedure and recovery.

How To Prepare For Your Tummy Tuck Procedure

There are many steps individuals can take to ensure they have a safe surgery and a healthy recovery. Dr. Odinet will provide you with ample information before your surgery so that you can begin preparing your body and your home for a successful tummy tuck. Some of the concerns you can expect to discuss with the surgeon include:

Smoking — Patients must stop smoking for at least six weeks before and after their tummy tuck. Nicotine can negatively impact healing incisions, and the size of the incision used during this surgery makes quitting tobacco use even more imperative.

Medications — It is important that the surgeon understand all prescription drugs and supplements you are taking since many substances can thin the blood, leading to excessive bleeding which can be life-threatening during any surgery. Alert Dr. Odinet if you currently or have recently used any non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or Vitamin E the week before surgery.

Support at Home — Naturally, you will have limited mobility immediately after you return home from surgery. It is also essential that you be able to rest so that your body can heal. During this time, you will also want to avoid making any movements which can unnecessarily stress your incisions and harm your results. Having a friend or loved one at home to help you with meal preparation and any child or pet care can be crucial to your recovery.

Prepare Your Home — Before surgery, you will need to have the prescription medications which Dr. Odinet has prescribed for you on-hand as well as pre-prepared meals and entertainment items available to you, such as movies, books and your favorite music at home. You will also want to have your cell phone and charger nearby with your surgeon’s number and the number of loved ones and a close-by hospital, just in case. By preparing your home in advance, you can enjoy a much more comfortable and safe recovery.

While you are primarily responsible for your recovery at home, Dr. Odinet will always remain available to you for general questions and advice during this time. You are always welcome to call his office no matter how small the concern may seem. It is more important to address any issues you may have quickly than allow them to progress into more significant problems; however, in general, issues after surgery are rare.

What Will Happen During Your Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck can take between two and three hours to perform. Typically, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia and may be completed as an outpatient procedure in Dr. Odinet’s AAAASF surgical facility or on an inpatient basis at Park Place Surgical Hospital, depending on the extent of the surgery. During your procedure, Dr. Odinet will ensure that the lower incision is low enough to be concealed by undergarments and that the upper incision is placed in the folds of the navel to lessen visible scarring as much as possible. Dr. Odinet will then go on to tighten the abdominal muscles if needed and also remove any excess fat if that was agreed upon during your consultation. If the navel must be repositioned to ensure a natural result, this will be done at this point during the surgery. Liposuction on the flanks can also be performed to enhance your results. The surgeon will excise loose skin before suturing the incisions to ensure a taut midsection is produced after surgery. Finally, dressings will be applied over the sutures, and you will be fitted with a compression garment to protect your incisions, increase your comfort (by reducing swelling) and promote healing.

Recovering From Your Tummy Tuck

Swelling and tenderness in the surgical area are natural after any surgery and will be a factor during your tummy tuck recovery; however, these side effects can be managed through pain medication and by continuing to wear your compression garment as recommended. Dr. Odinet will also give you instructions on how to care for your incisions to encourage healing, minimize any unwanted complications and reduce overall scarring. You will need at minimum two weeks at home for your recovery before you can return to work if you have a sedentary job, but you will need to continue to avoid more vigorous activities, such as exercise and contact sports, for up to six weeks. The time invested in your recovery will be well worth it once you begin to see the results of your surgery.

The Results of a Tummy Tuck Procedure

Swelling, which is a natural result of surgery, may mask your results during the first few weeks of recovery. However, as swelling subsides, you will begin to notice the flattering and more toned abdominal region that is the result of a tummy tuck surgery. Formerly visible stretch marks may be reduced or gone entirely, leaving you with a midsection that looks much more youthful, fit and attractive.

Your incisions will continue to heal in the months after your surgery, and scarring will fade as well. To ensure that your incisions heal well, it is critical that you avoid direct sunlight as much as possible since harmful UV rays can discolor delicate scar tissue. If you take proper care of your incisions throughout recovery, your healthy scar tissue will continue to become less noticeable over time.

A tummy tuck offers patients long-lasting results if a healthy lifestyle is maintained after surgery. You will reap many benefits from the surgery besides a much more flattering figure and profile, however. Most patients experience an energy boost and a new-found confidence that directly translates into better and more satisfying relationships and more joyful experiences free from the worry and self-consciousness that they may have experienced before surgery. A tummy tuck can be a truly transformative procedure.

A Tummy Tuck Performed by Dr. Odinet Can Complete Your Ideal Look

Every patient has unique anatomy and concerns so creating an individualized course of treatment is of primary concern for Dr. Odinet. The surgeon firmly believes that every patient can achieve their ideal look through a combination of a healthy lifestyle and well-chosen cosmetic procedures, and finding the right balance can bring greater self-confidence, fulfillment and happiness. Dr. Odinet’s mission is to ensure that the surgical or non-invasive cosmetic options you choose are appropriate, will achieve your goals and, most importantly, are performed safely. Above all, Dr. Odinet and his staff wish to see you in the best of health!

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Odinet today to learn more about the benefits of a tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck. You can call his offices at (337) 234-8648 to secure your consultation date.