Tummy tucks are one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures to date. In fact, the tummy tuck procedure has risen 104% from 2000 to 2016, according the ASPS. After childbearing or weight loss, the abdomen can have some remaining fat around the belly button with a little bit of extra skin and some laxity to the underlying abdominal muscles, creating an unsightly bulge. During a tummy tuck procedure, the extra fat is removed with liposuction, the redundant skin is removed, and the abdominal muscles are tightened and placed back into the midline creating a sleek, tight and thin abdomen.
The Drain-Free Tummy Tuck
In many patients’ minds, they fear the tummy tuck operation because they have heard that it hurts and that you must have a drainage tube. Well, no more! Dr. Salzman is amongst the first plastic surgeons in the United States to do what he calls a “drainless, painless tummy tuck.” Instead of a drain, TissueGlu™ is sprayed between the skin that has been lifted and the muscles that have been repaired underneath. We have also begun treating our patients with a long-acting numbing medicine that is placed under ultrasonic guidance by our anesthesiologists after the patient is asleep. This has reduced the tightness and pain for the first three days following the procedure.
Dr. Salzman is extremely skilled in this new tummy tuck technique. He has recently taught other plastic surgeons from around the world this new technique in a teaching course at the national plastic surgery meeting in Orlando this past October.
If you’re considering a tummy tuck, you might want to have a consult with Salzman Cosmetic Surgery and Spa to hear about the latest new tummy tuck methods. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
