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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

A prominent abdomen with excess skin and fat can be restored and corrected with a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty). The procedure aims to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen area, repair the abdominal muscles, to create a firmer abdominal profile.

WHAT IS ABDOMINOPLASTY?

Also known as Tummy Tuck, it is a procedure where we remove any excess skin from the abdomen, usually from the lower region, commonly seen in patients after pregnancy, aging, or due to weight fluctuations.

Simultaneously, it includes the repair of the abdominal muscles. The rectus muscles usually weaken and separate after pregnancy or aging, making the abdomen look more prominent; this is called Diastasis Recti.

Dr. Lopez performs a muscle plication to correct this; the rectus muscles separated in the midline are sutured together, making the abdomen firm and flat.

In most cases, Dr. Lopez performs various techniques during a Tummy Tuck, making it possible for patients to combine procedures such as high definition liposuction, liposuction, Butt Augmentation with fat transfer (BBL), amongst others.

Complete Abdominoplasty

The traditional procedure conducted more commonly when a patient has loose and excess skin above the belly button includes;

  • The repairing of the abdominal muscle separation (Plication)

  • Elimination of excess skin

  • Improvement of the overall body shape, especially when combined with liposuction

  • Occasionally the creation of a new belly button (neoumbilicoplasty), depending on the patient’s requirements.

MINI OR PARTIAL ABDOMINOPLASTY

Partial Abdominoplasty, or “mini tummy tuck,” is similar to a complete abdominoplasty. Dr. Lopez proposes this procedure in patients with a small amount of excess skin only below the navel (belly button). The method includes removing any excess skin is and muscles may be repaired or sutured together. Surgical time is usually shorter and implies a shorter incision when compared to a complete tummy tuck.

TUMMY TUCK CANDIDATES

  • Good health condition

  • Have a Body Mass Index of 30 or lower.

  • Excess skin above the belly button (can correct excess skin below the belly button with similar procedures such as a mini tummy tuck)

  • Patients who preferably do not plan to get pregnant soon after performing the procedure

  • Commonly performed in female patients who have diastasis or excess skin after having multiple pregnancies.

  • Patients with Major weight fluctuations and genetic laxity are also great candidates for this procedure.

Dr. Lopez evaluates the amount of loose skin and the degree of separation of the rectus muscles (diastasis), making the abdomen protrude and lose waist curvature.

YOUR ABDOMINOPLASTY CONSULTATION AND PREPARATION

  • During your consultation with Dr. Raul Lopez, a detailed evaluation will determine whether or not a tummy tuck is the best option. The amount of excess skin below and above the belly button, the skin quality, elasticity, looseness, presence of stretch marks, muscle separation, previous surgeries, irregularities, etc., will determine the adequate procedure for you.
  • During the consultation, patients receive a precise quote with Dr. Raul Lopez and discuss surgery dates. A patient may also need to plan for an overnight stay at our clinic. Out of town patients will also discuss the ideal time of visit for post-op revision and recovery.

PROCEDURE EVALUATION

Excess or loose skin

When a patient has sagging and excess skin from above the navel, we usually perform a complete tummy tuck.

When a patient has a small amount of loose skin just below the navel, we perform a mini tummy tuck.

When a patient only needs to restore the divided muscles and have little to no loose skin, we perform a plicature (Usually included in a tummy tuck).

In some cases, several techniques are conducted, like TULUA: A tummy tuck in which excess skin is removed with a transverse elliptical plication (folding) of the area below the belly button, making less skin tension on the abdominal scar and with the formation of a new belly button. (neo-umbilicoplasty).

Belly Button

The belly button is handled differently according to the patient’s needs. Dr. López designs the belly button’s size according to the patient’s proportion. In the doctor’s preference, a vertically oriented small oval belly button is ideal.

The new belly button is naturally depressed, resulting in natural results.

RESULTS

We achieve a flat abdomen with tighter and firmer skin. The scar is positioned as low as possible in the pubic region following the inguinal line towards the flanks.

We position them as low as possible to hide with underwear or some types of swimsuits easily.

RECOVERY AND POSTOPERATIVE CARE

10-15 days after the surgery, you can return to office work, avoiding physical effort for 4 to 6 weeks. 6 to 8 weeks later, patients will be able to exercise.

We recommend patients rest in bed during the first week. However, it is essential to move out of bed for a few minutes every hour to eat, walk, move, go to the restroom and perform Isometric exercises during rest to improve blood flow (contract and relax calf muscles).

Patients must maintain a flexed posture at their hips when walking. By walking bent, the abdominal muscles and fascia repair protected from being pulled. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You should wait after six months of your cesarean and once you stop lactating

You can have surgery after 4 to 6 months and after finishing the lactation period.

Some patients get pregnant after a tummy tuck or experience significant weight changes that cause excess skin. In some cases, they may require another tummy tuck.

Dr. Raúl López | Diseñado por