This is the third installment of three videos about tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) San Francisco. The original post is here just click: Common Questions About Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty). This video is from my recent appearance on KRON‘s Body Beautiful, with host Vicki Liviakis.
The 800 number on the video was for the live show, to contact my office for a consultation appointment, call (925) 943-6353.
This segment answers questions about:
How long is the recovery after a tummy tuck?
When can I lift my child?
What are the limitations on lifting after abdominoplasty?
When may I return to work after a tummy tuck?
Will a tummy tuck help low back pain?
Can a mini tummy tuck or liposuction substitute for a tummy tuck?
Do I need to wear special garments after surgery, and if so for how long?
More tummy tuck videos and general information on the abdominal rejuvination can be found on this blog by clicking on the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) link under Categories (to the left), or click here to get to the abdominoplasty page on my main web site: DrMele.com.
If you are considering a tummy tuck, or any cosmetic plastic surgery, be certain your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I am certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. You can check my, or any other physicians certification here: The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to discuss abdominoplasty, more commonly know as the tummy tuck, live in San Francisco on KRON4′s Body Beautiful. The show is half an hour long, so I will break it up into smaller themed segments. Look for it here in the near future.
Tummy tuck before and after pictures. All three layers (skin, fat and muscle) of the abdomen are improved. Click on picture for more examples.
Many common tummy tuck questions came up during the show and even more questions were raised afterwards from the audience and in the emails that followed. The most common question asked was, “Who needs a tummy tuck?” I would like to share some of the reasons people have tummy tucks here.
First the disclaimer, when I answer general questions the answers are generally true; however, sometimes specific situations arise with an individual that leads to a different answer. While what you read on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, or on my personal web site (DrMele.com) is carefully designed to provide you with the information needed to learn about plastic surgery, it is important to actually see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before any specific course of action can be recommended. Every patient is different, and consequently every operation is different. A vital ingredient for a beautiful plastic surgery result is individualizing the plan to suit your specific needs.
Who needs a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall. It improves three layers: the skin, the fat, and the muscle. The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is in good shape and not too far from their goal weight. In order to be a candidate, you should need help in at least one of the following three areas that the surgery improves.
Loose Skin
Loose skin can be caused by pregnancy and weight loss. Both stretch the abdominal skin. If the skin is stretched too much, it cannot recoil. After pregnancy or weight loss, the skin may remain stretched and begin to hang. Unfortunately, in this situation, more weight loss does not help. Instead it leads to more loose skin.
A tummy tuck removes this loose skin from the lower abdomen, and tightens the skin that remains. This results in a smoother contour and better fitting clothes.
Excess Fat and Stretch Marks
Whenever I am removing excess lower abdominal skin, I can remove two other problems: excess fat and stretch marks. Excess fat that is below the belly button, is removed along with the excess skin. Women tend to put most the excess fat between the muscle and the skin, making it easy to remove. Men more often put excess fat behind the muscle, where it is not accessible. This internal fat must be lost with diet and exercise, and cannot be surgically removed.
Any stretch marks that are in this skin, are also removed. If the stretch marks are confined to the central abdomen below the belly button, the majority, if not all of them, can be removed with a tummy tuck.
Muscle Laxity
Babies and internal fat are behind the muscle layer of the abdominal wall. Because of this, pregnancy and weight gain also stretch the muscle layer. The muscle, and its case, can become overstretched to the point that the abdomen cannot be sucked in, not matter how strong the muscle layer. Tummy tucks allow me to tighten the case of the muscle and provide a smooth flattened foundation that can support the gut and keep it contents from pushing forwards.
If someone is significantly overweight, it is the internal fat that prevents me from being able to optimally tighten the abdominal wall. If the abdominal wall cannot be maximally tightened, abdominal fullness will remain. In this situation, additional weight loss will improve the results.
After children (or weight loss) the breasts lose volume and the abdominal wall is lax.
The Mommy Makeover remains one of the most frequently requested combinations of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Often performed to repair the damage after childbirth, the Mommy Makeover most commonly combines Breast Augmentation with the Tummy Tuck.
Depending on what needs to be fixed, however, other procedures can be substituted. Sometimes a Breast lift is added to, or used instead of the Breast Augmentation. If the breasts remain too large after childbirth, a Breast Reduction may be more appropriate. The Mini Tummy Tuck can sometimes replace the full Tummy Tuck, and Liposuction is often used as an adjunct.
The combination of breast enhancement and abdominoplasty is usually performed after childbirth, but is also common after significant weight loss. In both instances the problems are similar. The breasts may lose volume and support, and the abdomen is often left with excess skin and muscle laxity. The Mommy Makeover restores lost volume and support to the breasts and tightens the abdominal wall (skin and muscle).
The woman pictured to the left is lucky. Although she has lost volume in her breasts after childbirth, her nipples remain high above the inframammary fold (the bottom of the breast). This means a breast lift is not needed. Instead, the lost breast volume was restored. Breast implants were placed behind the pectoralis muscle with a natural result.
Her abdominal wall had been stretched, resulting in loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles. There is a small amount of fat behind the lower abdominal skin, but this will be removed when the skin is tightened. Overall she is in good shape, and a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover.
Starting at the Top – Breast Augmentation
Before Mommy Makeover, the breast have lost volume and are smaller than before pregnancy.
After Mommy Makeover, breast volume has been restored to a pre-baby state.
Breast augmentation was performed to restore volume. The goal was to restore the lost volume, and just a little bit more. Smooth round implants where placed behind the muscle via a periareolar (below the nipple) approach. This gives a nice teardrop shape the the breasts. By selecting the appropriate size, a very natural appearance can be obtained.
Around the Middle – The Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Before Mommy Makeover, the abdominal muscles and skin are over stretched.
After Mommy Makeover, the abdominal muscles and skin have been tightened.
The Bottom Line – Restoring Proportions
After children (or weight loss) the breasts lose volume and the abdominal wall is lax.
After Mommy Makeover, the abdomen is flat and the breast's proportions are restored.
The art of plastic surgery has a lot to do with proportions. By giving volume to the breasts and taking volume from the abdomen, an aesthetic balance is achieved. But, there is more benefits than just looking nice. Clothing fits better and the energy wasted on feeling self conscious can be used for more productive endeavours. Having children is something to be proud of, not looking like you’ve had children … priceless.
