What are the specifics of the abdominoplasty procedure?
Most abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedures consist of three parts. The skin removal on the outside is the obvious first part as it is marked before going back to surgery. With the skin cut out comes the removal of the underlying fat right down to the muscle. Sometimes additional fat is removed by liposuction in other parts of the abdomen and around the waistline areas. The second part is the sewing together of the rectus muscles down the middle, both above and below the belly button. The third and last part of the skin closure and the making of a new belly button hole. Because of these different parts, tummy tucks can be tailored to include some or all of these elements as needed.
Can scars in the abdominal region, such as those from Cesarean sections or appendicitis, be corrected during surgery?
Yes. One of the great advantages of a tummy tuck is that old c-section and appendectomy scars can be removed as part of the skin cut out. They are ‘traded out’ for one single fine line scar that runs in a low horizontal orientation.
After losing a lot of weight, my tummy hangs out. Can you fix this?
Such an overhang, often called unflatteringly as a pannus, can be completely removed in a tummy tuck. That overhang can become completely flat. The weight loss has ‘deflated the balloon’ so to speak, creating this skin overhang.
Is there much pain following a tummy tuck?
That will depend on how ‘big’ the tummy tuck is and whether the muscle is being sewn together or not. Most of the pain from a tummy tuck comes from the manipulation of the muscles. The skin and fat removal is not particularly painful. In those tummy tucks where muscle is not being sewn together, there will be much less pain that one would anticipate.
Can a tummy tuck be combined with liposuction?
Yes. Liposuction is usually part of most tummy tucks. Whether it is thinning out the upper abdomen or helping get rid of the ‘muffin tops’ along the sides of the waistline, it is an integral part of the operation. Tummy tucks today are more accurately described as lipoabdominoplasties to reflect the multimodality approach to abdominal contouring.
Can I have work done on my breasts done at the same time as a tummy tuck?
Yes. More complete trunk contouring is when both breast and abdominal procedures are done at the same time. The dual effect of enlarging and lifting breasts while narrowing and flattening the waistline can produce a dramatic result and is known more commonly as a Mommy Makeover. Both procedures done together can still be performed as an outpatient.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana