Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy tuck surgery is certainly capable of eliminating stretch marks, depending on their precise location in the abdomen. If stretch marks are present on the skin under the navel, and that area of skin is targeted for excision during the tummy tuck surgery, they will be removed along with the excess skin. Stretch marks that appear in abdominal areas of skin that will not be fully removed during the tummy tuck procedure will likely remain after the procedure is complete. During your consultation, Dr. Perry will evaluate your abdominal skin and determine whether stretch marks can be removed.

It is normal to experience post-operative swelling after a tummy tuck. This is the body’s natural response to surgery. In many cases, the swelling will reach its most abundant level within the first four to six weeks following the procedure. During this time, wearing the prescribed compression garment in accordance with Dr. Perry’s recovery guidelines can help control swelling. Minimizing foods and beverages that are high in salt (or avoiding them altogether) can also help reduce swelling as salt may exacerbate inflammation.

A seroma is characterized by a build-up of fluid beneath the skin that typically looks like a lump or an isolated area of swelling. This condition is a potential side effect of tummy tuck surgery due to the fact that tissue is manipulated and removed during the procedure. In many cases, seromas are quite small and diminish on their own within a few weeks; however, larger seromas can cause pain, excessive bleeding or fluid drainage, and other complications, and will need to be immediately examined and treated.

It is important to let Dr. Perry know if a seroma is concerning you in any way. A seroma accompanied by conditions such as a fever, chills, and/or a heartbeat that is irregular may signify a seroma-related infection and will necessitate urgent medical care.

Please note that Dr. Perry employs the drainless tummy tuck method whenever possible, which can reduce the chances of seroma by allowing less room for fluid to build up in the abdomen.

Medical insurance policies do not usually offer coverage for tummy tuck surgery. It is very uncommon for medical insurance to provide benefits for elective cosmetic enhancement procedures. However, Chrysalis Cosmetics provides patients with numerous options to make paying for treatment as convenient as possible. These include acceptance of many major credit cards and plastic surgery financing plans through agencies such as CareCredit^®, United Medical Credit, PatientFi^®, and others.

Tummy tuck surgery can be a very safe procedure when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Perry, who has performed many of these treatments very successfully. It should be noted that all surgical procedures come with certain risks—you can learn more about risks associated with tummy tuck surgery in the sections above, and Dr. Perry will go over them in detail with you during the consultation. Dr. Perry places patient safety at the very top of his priority list during all stages of tummy tuck treatment.

There are not too many dietary restrictions after a tummy tuck; however, incorporating certain foods and limiting others can be helpful during the recovery process. Individuals should generally avoid foods high in salt and sugar, and consumption of processed foods should be minimized. In the first few days, patients will be advised to maintain a relatively “light” but healthy diet and drink lots of clear liquids, especially water. Then, a greater selection of foods can be introduced as recovery progresses, followed by a normal diet routine. Once patients are able to resume their regular diet, it is important to keep it healthy and try to reduce weight fluctuations so that the results of tummy tuck surgery can last as long as possible.

The tummy tuck procedure itself should not produce excessive pain or discomfort since general anesthesia is utilized. During recovery, some degree of discomfort and swelling can be expected, but this can often easily be relieved with medication, and these side effects should continue to dissipate as the treatment area heals.

Yes. Although the two treatments are sometimes confused because they both involve reducing excess skin affecting the abdominal area, they are performed for different reasons. Abdominoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure and is designed to remove excess skin and tighten underlying abdominal muscles. A panniculectomy is a medical procedure designed to address a large amount of excess abdominal skin that can cause numerous physical conditions, including rashes, chafing, chronic irritation, and others. Additionally, unlike an abdominoplasty, a panniculectomy does not involve tightening abdominal muscles.

Yes, a tummy tuck can address diastasis recti. During the procedure, Dr. Perry can tighten the separated abdominal muscles by bringing them back together and suturing them into a more supportive position. This can not only help restore core strength but also create a flatter, firmer abdominal contour. However, it’s important to note that a consultation is still necessary to determine if this approach is appropriate for your specific condition and goals.