Tummy Tuck Procedures

Tummy Tuck Surgery

Patients wanting to rid themselves of excess skin and fat in the abdominal area will often consider tummy tuck surgery (“abdominoplasty”). This body contouring procedure trims the midsection to produce a more flattering appearance. However, abdominoplasty is not a weight loss method; it is meant to aid in slenderizing the abdomen when diet and exercise have not produced desired results.

Tummy tuck surgery leaves a permanent scar, and depending on your individual needs, this can span from hipbone to hipbone. However, with the new techniques offered by Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin, scarring can be minimal as it is hidden in inconspicuous places.

Our tummy tuck specialists strongly urge patients who are considering this procedure to seek the advice of a qualified cosmetic surgeon. Be sure to ask all your questions and voice your concerns about a tummy tuck before making a decision.

Ideal Candidates

Men and women who are in good physical health, but are bothered by large fat deposits and excess skin in the abdominal region, often opt for tummy tuck surgery. Women who have experienced multiple pregnancies find this procedure to be especially beneficial because the skin and abdominal muscles are often unable to return to normal through regular diet and exercise.

For those who have loose muscles with only small amounts of excess sagging skin, Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin offer endoscopic tummy tuck surgery. This method provides flattened abdominal muscles and minimal scarring due to the incision made in the navel. The endoscopic technique is a variation of the mini tummy tuck procedure.

The best way to determine if you are an ideal candidate is to seek the advice of a medical professional who is qualified to perform abdominoplasty. In addition, patients must have realistic expectations in order to reach a positive outcome.

Risks May Occur

Although Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin are highly qualified and trained to perform tummy tuck surgery, there are always risks of complications when undergoing a surgical procedure.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

In order to recover comfortably, patients must follow all of the instructions provided by our surgeons. Expect plenty of time for rest and recovery.

A significant improvement in the abdominal region will be noticeable immediately after the procedure, with final results noticeable within a few months following surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions as to when regular activities can resume, and at what rate.

Combined Procedures

Patients wishing to attain a more sculpted figure often combine abdominoplasty with liposuction (“lipoplasty”). With this body contouring procedure, stubborn fat deposits can be removed by a tiny tube called a cannula, which is inserted through small incisions. Depending on their problem areas, patients can attain optimal results by undergoing liposuction and a tummy tuck during the same surgery setting.

Liposuction can sculpt various areas, in addition to the stomach, including the:

• Hips
• Flanks
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Lower back

Depending on your particular needs, Dr. Wilcox or Dr. Dulin may recommend either traditional liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction. For patients who are not ideal candidates for traditional lipoplasty, ultrasonic liposuction is a viable alternative.

When undergoing this technique, the surgeon will insert the cannula with a sound generator on the tip in order to liquefy the fat before suctioning it out. This method of liposuction is better suited for areas that are more fibrous; less bleeding and a faster recovery time are also benefits of ultrasonic liposuction.

Some of the risks that are associated with this procedure include infection, swelling, changes in skin sensation, burns from the ultrasonic method, and dimples. However, if patients follow all post-surgery instructions given by Dr. Wilcox or Dr. Dulin, risks of complications are significantly decreased.

Greater satisfaction with the final outcome can be achieved when patients allow the necessary time for proper healing and have realistic expectations for their outcome.

Mommy Makeover

Women who have experienced multiple pregnancies frequently combine tummy tuck surgery and liposuction with breast augmentation (“augmentation mammaplasty”) and/or breast lift surgery (“mastopexy”). The combination of these procedures is commonly referred to as a “Mommy Makeover.”

Because many women often want to regain the youthful figure they had prior to childbirth, but cannot seem to reach their desired effect through diet and exercise alone, Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin frequently consult with patients looking for a combination of procedures that could help them reach their objective.

Breast Surgery to Complete a Mommy Makeover

If a patient selects breast augmentation as part of her Mommy Makeover plan, she will have various factors to consider. The type of incisions utilized for this procedure is an important decision for the patient. Breast implants can be inserted through various types of incisions, including:

• Inframammary (breast crease)
• Periareolar (around the nipple)
• Transaxillary (through the armpit)
• Transumbilical (through the navel)

Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin now offer patients another option for inserting breast implants when combining this procedure with tummy tuck surgery. While either of our professionals is performing abdominoplasty, a tunnel can be made from the tummy tuck incision up to the chest area. The implant is then inserted without making any incisions on the breasts.

For breasts that are sagging due to loss of volume after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding, breast lift surgery elevates and reshapes breast. Frequently, breast lift surgery patients also opt for breast implants to attain a better shape. Patients should be aware that mastopexy requires long incisions on the breasts and may cause more scarring than breast augmentation.

No matter what your breast enhancement procedure of choice may be; Dr. Wilcox and Dr. Dulin can provide the best care possible for you. Contact our office to learn more about your options regarding tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, and breast surgery.

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