Feel healthy, attractive, and confident
Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)
You’ve worked hard to lose weight and to improve your muscle tone through diet and exercise programs. But when you have reached your desired weight but not your desired shape, it may be time to consider a tummy tuck. Our Milwaukee & Waukesha patients choose this procedure when they are having trouble achieving a flat and toned tummy appearance.
Tummy Tuck for patients in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin
The Illume Cosmetic Surgery & MedSpa has over 40 years experience in performing Abdominoplasty.
Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes these conditions are inherited. In other instances, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid. Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles that have been separated and weakened by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat improve the appearance of stretch marks, especially those located below the navel.
ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
An abdominoplasty usually takes two hours. A mini tummy tuck is somewhat shorter in duration. After surgery you are cared for in a recovery area for a minimum of 1 hour prior to being discharged home. You will need a driver and someone to stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
Most commonly, an incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With a mini abdominoplasty the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved.
Next, the skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and a large skin flap is lifted to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. Pulling them together with suture material tightens the muscles. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched and a temporary drainage tube will be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. Dressings and a girdle will be applied.
In a mini abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the incision is stitched together.
Be sure to ask about a lower body lift…an exciting new method of rejuvenating the hips, thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR ABDOMINOPLASTY
Patients who intend to lose weight should schedule surgery after they have reached their goal weight. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can stretch again during pregnancy.
THE ABDOMINOPLASTY CONSULTATION
A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering an abdominoplasty. During this meeting, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will evaluate your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific goals for surgery.
During your physical examination the doctor will determine the extent of muscle wall laxity, fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. We will also discuss alternatives and the risks, goals, limitations of each.
If, for example, your fat deposits and excess skin are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a mini abdominoplasty, which can often be performed in our office-based surgical suite. You may benefit from liposuction in the hips and flanks to remove fat deposits for a better body contour. Perhaps, a torsoplasty which removes excess skin and tissue from the back and hips is indicated if you are concerned about those areas in addition to the abdomen.
In any case, we will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Gentle exercises will help you feel better. Even people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided until at least 6 weeks after surgery.
Your scars may appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Massaging Vitamin E into the healed incision line may improve the quality of the scar. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they’ll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
Abdominoplasty produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long lasting, if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
To make this procedure accessible to all our patients we provide Financing options.
Call (414) 439-3000 for a cosmetic consultation.
ALL SURGERIES CARRY SOME UNCERTAINTIES AND RISK
Postoperative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.
Smoking is a contraindication to abdominoplasty. Smokers must quit at least 6 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after surgery. Smoking severely increases the risk of complications and delays healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following our instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
PREPARING FOR YOUR ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
YOUR NEW LOOK
Get in Touch
With board-certified plastic surgeons, two state certified surgical operating rooms, an anesthesiologist, and a team of specialized, credentialed nurses Illume provides ready availability for whatever cosmetic service or surgery you need. Let us help you Live Life Beautifully!
Call or text: 414-439-3000