Tummy Tuck

Mans Fit Torso With Surgical Lines On His Body Before Operation.

Tummy Tuck Scarring: What You Should Know

Mans Fit Torso With Surgical Lines On His Body Before Operation. It is no secret that the midsection is one of the most susceptible to stubborn fat. You may eat well and take really good care of your body but, for some reason, have noticed that your abdominal area is saggy and squishy beyond what feels comfortable and cosmetically acceptable. The muscles of the abdomen can weaken and stretch during pregnancy or as a result of being overweight. When these conditions are gone, the laxity remains. Sometimes, it can just be a matter of aging and our genetic makeup that results in loose abdominal tissue. Whatever it is that gets us there, we know there’s a way out. Tummy tuck surgery is very common among adults of all ages. If you’re considering this procedure, your thoughts may continually wander to the issue of recovery. Much has been written about how to manage the post-op recovery period after a tummy tuck. Here, we want to discuss the matter of the abdominoplasty scar.

What Type of Scarring to Expect

You might think that every person who has a tummy tuck will have the same scar. This isn’t the case. Knowing this ahead of time, you can ask your surgeon more direct questions about your particular case. What type of incision will they use? How long do they expect the incision to be? Some of the common incision scars that might be incurred by a tummy tuck include the belly button and the lower abdomen.

The lower abdomen is the area most commonly recognized for scarring after a tummy tuck. Here, the surgeon makes the horizontal incision as low as possible without minimizing access to the abdominal muscle and connective tissue. The abdominoplasty incision is nearly always low enough to sit beneath a bikini or underpants. It may or may not extend all the way from one hip to the other. It also may or may not tilt upward at the ends, similar to bicycle handlebars. These are details you’ll learn at your tummy tuck consultation.

The belly button is an area that may come as a surprise to some patients. Here, a scar may appear around the belly button after a full tummy tuck that involves the repositioning and tightening of tissue around the anchored belly button. This means that the belly button remains connected to its underlying connective tissue during the abdominoplasty procedure, it is not disconnected and repositioned. Fortunately, the belly button scar tends to fade nicely after surgery and is barely noticeable once it does.

Why Scarring Occurs

We know that incisions are a type of wound and that, as such, a scar results. If you’re the curious type, you might like a little more detailed description. After surgery, the body makes more collagen to heal the tissue that has been cut. This initial influx of collagen, though, is messy, to be honest. The body is concerned with getting collagen to the area, not with the organization of those protein molecules. As a result, a new scar may have a slightly rippled or puckered appearance. Tummy tuck patients may notice a “dog ear” type of flap at one or both ends of their incision as it heals. Over several weeks, the original collagen that is laid down around the incision is replaced with a more organized matrix of the protein. This is when we see the scar lighten and flatten out more dramatically. Still, if you are interested in a tummy tuck or mommy makeover, know that your abdominal scar will continue to heal over the course of about a year.

You can help your tissue heal optimally by doing just a few things well:

  • Strictly adhere to your post-op instructions, including how to cleanse and treat incisions as they heal.
  • Do not smoke. If you’re a smoker, you had to quit before surgery. We strongly encourage you to avoid picking up the habit anytime soon. Doing so can rob your tissue of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to rebuild strong, resilient skin after surgery.
  • Eat well. The more nutrients you can get into your body after surgery, the better. Drink green drinks. Eat whole foods and lean proteins. Fill the majority of your plate with leafy greens and vibrant vegetables. Doing so provides the body with the building blocks for healing.

Now is a great time for a tummy tuck. To schedule your consultation at our Louisville office, contact us at 502-425-5200.

copy of istock 856653702 300x300 1

Maximizing Your Tummy Tuck Results with Early Planning

copy of istock 856653702 300x300 1 Tummy tuck surgery offers some exciting rewards. With careful and early planning, patients who schedule abdominoplasty can maximize their outcomes. Here, we discuss the strategies that can help you get the most of your tummy tuck process. 

Choose the right technique for your body.

Fortunately, as you explore your surgical options, your surgeon will conduct a thorough consultation and physical examination before making recommendations. You are not on your own to determine which tummy tuck technique is right for you. Options that your surgeon may discuss include:

  • Mini tummy tuck. This abbreviated abdominoplasty technique focuses on the lower abdomen and requires a shorter incision in many cases. Due to the limited area of focus, the mini tummy tuck is not the most common approach to midsection contouring. 
  • Full tummy tuck. The full tummy tuck is the standard and most common approach to gaining better contours. This abdominoplasty technique requires incisions from hip to hip. These tend to fade nicely over time and, until they do, are hidden beneath a bikini or underwear. The benefit of full abdominoplasty is that this procedure smooths the midsection from the lower abdomen to the ribs. If needed, the surgeon can reposition the belly button. 
  • Extended tummy tuck. The extended tuck is often best suited for adults who have lost a significant amount of weight and have extra skin and moderate fat that extends from the front to the sides of the torso. 

Combine a tummy tuck with liposuction.

Abdominoplasty achieves the best results when the midsection holds minimal to moderate fatty tissue. When a patient leans toward the moderate end of that spectrum, a surgeon may recommend liposuction to decrease the layer of fat cells that lies over the muscle. By reducing excess fat, liposuction accentuates the final outcome of abdominoplasty. Some patients even see the six-pack they didn’t realize they had!

Plan surgery at the right time.

The primary factor that will affect the outcome of abdominoplasty is weight. This may look different than expected. Most people realize that weight gain can affect midsection circumference. Women know that pregnancy after abdominoplasty could result in subsequent muscle laxity or separation. What patients often overlook is that weight loss after abdominoplasty could also degrade the aesthetic results that surgery had achieved. Before undergoing a tummy tuck, a patient should be at their ideal weight.

Are you interested in learning more about what abdominoplasty can do for you? Schedule a visit to our Louisville office at 502-425-5200.

istock 519618162

Making the Abdominoplasty Decision is a Big Deal

istock 519618162 Every day, we are inundated with choices. Fortunately, the decisions that we must make typically do not tax our minds much, if at all. From pouring that morning cup of coffee to brushing our teeth before bed, we do a lot of what we do without critical thinking. This is fine because it leaves more mental energy for those big decisions that come along now and then. Some, like having a tummy tuck, require quite a bit of thought.

If you’re considering the benefits of abdominoplasty, you may have a general idea in mind of why you would like this surgery. Your midsection is soft and maybe a little fluffy. Perhaps your abdominal skin is very loose and saggy. This laxity is the direct reason that most people give for wanting a tummy tuck. However, there are motivations behind this reason, and your plastic surgeon cares about them. Here, we discuss a few healthy reasons for seeking abdominoplasty.

“I want my body back.”

We all know our bodies will change with age and various other factors. When changes occur, whether due to pregnancy or weight changes, it is common for a person to feel that they’ve lost their body. Some feel like they’ve lost their connection to their physical self. Having abdominoplasty sounds like the best way to restore the shape they had years prior. We have a little secret. A tummy tuck might just give you a midsection better than you’ve ever had.

“I want to feel confident about my appearance.”

People who seek plastic surgery often say that they’d like to feel more confident. We understand the relationship between appearance and a healthy sense of confidence. When seeking abdominoplasty, a patient should already feel good about themselves overall. No plastic surgery procedure can create confidence out of nothing. Physical enhancement can, however, improve confidence.

“Diet and Exercise Haven’t Worked.”

We understand that, when the desired improvement has not been achieved, it can feel like diet and exercise habits haven’t worked. They have, just not to the degree one may want. Abdominoplasty is a great complement to a healthy lifestyle. It cannot substitute for good habits but, when it coincides with them, surgery can achieve long-lasting improvement.

If you’re interested in abdominoplasty, we’re here to answer your questions. Call our Louisville office at 502-425-5200 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Salzman.

Understanding Tummy Tuck

If you have excessive skin and fatty deposits on your abdominal area which has refused to give in to exercise and diet, it is time to consider a tummy tuck. Aging, obesity, or pregnancy can leave you with excessive fat or skin in addition to the underlying muscles going lax. Abdominoplasty, or commonly called the tummy tuck procedure, helps eliminate this excess skin and fat in addition to tightening the underlying muscles.

Who is a good candidate for tummy tuck?

Anybody who has sagging or loose skin on the abdomen is a good candidate. You could also have fatty deposits or loose abdominal muscles. These changes are usually due to a significant weight fluctuation because of bariatric surgery or after a pregnancy.

What is the procedure like?

A tummy tuck is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. During your procedure, the excess skin will be removed, and the abdominal muscles will be tightened; while liposuction is used to remove the excess fat from the abdominal walls, hips, and flanks. In case there are large amounts of excess skin, an extended tummy tuck may have to be performed using both a vertical and a horizontal cut resulting in a “T” shaped incision.

The technique and results of your tummy tuck depend largely on your choice of surgeon. When you choose an extremely experienced surgeon like Dr. Salzman who has been performing tummy tucks since 1989, you can be assured of stunning results and comfortable post-operative experience. Dr. Salzman adds a tumescent fluid containing numbing medication as well as epinephrine that narrows your blood vessels, thereby reducing blood loss. We also inject Exparel into the abdomen which will last for about 3 days and helps you with pain management.

Different kinds of tummy tuck

Contrary to the traditional tummy tuck, Dr. Salzman offers the no-drain tummy tuck which does not require the use of drains after your surgery. It is done with progressive tension sutures that dissolve with time. Due to the use of this technique, the development of seroma (built up fluid) is prevented and that is why drains are not required. In the absence of this technique, you would require drains for about a week after your surgery; this collects the built-up fluid and blood. Unfortunately, it makes the recovery period cumbersome since you need to keep a tab on the amount of fluid being collected, routinely clean the drains; and their use restricts movement too. No doubt then, the no drain tummy tuck offered by surgeons like Dr. Salzman is revolutionary.

If you are suffering from excessive skin and fat or muscle weakness in the lower abdomen, then we offer a mini tummy tuck to give you the best results. In order to ensure you get a slim and toned appearance, we also use liposuction to slim down your hips and waist.

Stunning results from a tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty creates a tighter and slimmer waist and you can enhance your appearance with other procedures like liposuction or lower body lifts or breast augmentation. It takes about 10 to 12 weeks to completely recover from your tummy tuck. In addition to the Exparel, oral pain medication is given to help you with any discomfort. If you have a desk job, you will be able to return to your work within 2 weeks. If you underwent a mini tummy tuck, you will be able to return to your desk job within 7 to 10 days. And with no drains, you can shower the next day too. Dr. Salzman is ready to help you feel your best self with the amazing results his tummy tucks give.

Why Get a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a common procedure used for tightening the abdominal muscles and removing loose skin and fat found at the abdomen. This helps the stomach to look toned and flat.

Many women undergo a tummy tuck procedure during a mommy makeover. The mommy makeover procedure allows women to restore their figures after pregnancy. Abdominoplasty can also help patients who have undergone a dramatic weight loss in a short period of time. While many people undergo a tummy tuck mainly for cosmetic reasons, this procedure also boasts other benefits, including:

Easier to Maintain Weight Loss

With the removal of excess skin and tissue, many patients find physical activity to be more comfortable. Many patients also report feeling more encouraged and motivated when it comes to their exercise routine now that the tummy tuck has removed excess skin that was hiding their results.

Better Posture and Abdominal Tone

After losing a significant amount of weight or after many pregnancies, the stomach muscles may weaken, resulting in sagging that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise alone. The tummy tuck will tighten the weak muscles as well as remove the extra fat and skin in order to flatten the abdomen.

Weak abdominal muscles are mostly associated with a sway back and lordosis. After getting the procedure done, many people will enjoy an improved posture. This is because the muscles will be tightened, and they will support the spine better. Improved support with better posture will be an added benefit in order to relieve back pain.

Ventral Hernia Correction

A ventral hernia can occur if the abdominal and intestine tissue has come out of the abdominal wall and forms a sack pocket. There are many reasons why people may suffer from this problem, and one of them is weakened abdominal muscles. During the hernia repair, the doctor may consider performing an abdominoplasty at once to tighten the muscles.

To learn more about the tummy tuck procedure and how you can benefit, contact our office and schedule your consultation with Dr. Salzman.

Getting a Flatter Abdomen: Why A Tummy Tuck is The Best Option

Fat cells can accumulate rather rapidly in certain areas of the body, such as the abdominal region. This can be frustrating to deal with, especially after experiencing childbirth. There are so many different ways to get rid of excess fat. Exercising and a healthy diet are great options, but they can’t always get rid of all the excess fat. Thankfully, there are multiple cosmetic procedures that address this problem. A few of the most popular procedures that address a flabby stomach are liposuction, body lifts, and a tummy tuck. All of these procedures can help you achieve a flatter stomach in different ways.

What Are the Procedures?

The different procedures performed at our office are all to help you in feeling more confident, but what do they entail?

Liposuction

This procedure is done by using a small cannula, which is inserted through small incisions, to suction out the fat with a surgical vacuum. This type of procedure is good for smaller amounts of fat and doesn’t usually help with large amounts of loose skin. It is often paired with a tummy tuck procedure to address these issues.

Body Lift

A body lift is a surgical procedure that helps to remove excess skin and fat around the abdominal region, including the hips and thighs. It is more commonly done on patients with massive weight loss. It is a more extensive procedure, so it often has more recovery time than liposuction or a tummy tuck procedure.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery. There are multiple options for a tummy tuck including mini, full, and extended. The tummy tuck is a surgical procedure done under anesthesia that helps to get rid of excess skin and some fat cells, as well as tighten any weakened abdominal muscles. By making discreet incisions around the bikini line, the surgeon can then remove the excess skin on the stomach, forming it to contour to your natural body. It helps to create a firmer, smooth abdomen and can help in overall body contouring.

How to Choose?

All of these different cosmetic procedures help achieve a flatter stomach differently. If you are self-conscious about your abdominal region due to excess skin and fat, then a tummy tuck would be most helpful. Although liposuction is a mildly invasive procedure, it cannot address loose skin on the abdomen the way a tummy tuck can. A body lift can be helpful as well, as it is a procedure that addresses fat and skin excess all the way around the waist. The tummy tuck is one of the top five cosmetic procedures performed in 2017 and is performed on around 120,000 people per year. It has given proven results and is a long-term solution for reconstructing your abdomen to be firmer, smoother, and smaller.

Regain your confidence in your tummy by contacting Dr. Salzman today to schedule a consultation.

What to Expect from Your Tummy Tuck Procedure

Excessive fat of the abdominal area, sometimes combined with loose abdominal skin and laxity of abdominal muscles, can be a cause for frustration for many patients who find diet and exercise to be ineffective. This change in appearance is often caused by fluctuations in weight, pregnancies, or surgeries for weight loss. The most effective way to correct this problem is surgically, through a tummy tuck procedure. Here’s what you can expect from your surgery day and recovery.

The Procedure

In a traditional tummy tuck procedure, excessive skin around the abdomen is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and liposuction is sometimes performed on the excess fat of the flanks, hips, and abdominal wall. This procedure is also known as abdominoplasty, and it is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is a necessary part of the procedure and, if there is a large amount of skin to be removed in a horizontal and vertical direction, then a ‘T’ shaped incision is made. Blood vessels are narrowed with the help of numbing medicines and epinephrine, combined to make a tumescent fluid. Surgeons also use pain managing injections like Exparel.

A no-drain tummy tuck procedure is the one in which drains are not required during the recovery period. Progressive tension sutures or TissueGlueâ are used for this purpose, as they dissolve with time. The advantage of this technique is that it diminishes the chances of seroma development so drains are not required. This technique is very popular because dealing with drains during recovery time can be very uncomfortable. Dr. Salzman is an expert in performing no-drain tummy tuck surgery.

The Recovery

The standard recovery time for tummy tuck procedure takes about 10 to 14 days. The Exparel injection given by anesthesia under ultrasound, (TAP Block) can last for up to 3 days, allowing movement and managing pain for a quicker recovery. Patients can usually return to their non-stressful work routine after two weeks; however, some patients who have physically-challenging jobs may require an additional couple weeks before they can feel fit enough to resume their work.

Consulting with Dr. Salzman before your surgery is the most important step of your procedure process because the suitability for every individual is different. Dr. Salzman can also make sure you’re aware of the specific risks and factors involved with a tummy tuck procedure and plan the best surgical technique for you. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.

Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck: Which Is Best for Me?

Most people have a little extra baggage around their middle and most people would probably, given the opportunity, would opt to get rid of it. Fortunately, there’s a tummy tuck to fit your unique needs! If you’re looking for a surgical solution, a tummy tuck is a great way to slim and restore the abdominal area, and you’ve got a couple options. Here’s what you should know about these two types of tummy tucks as you plan your consultation.

Traditional tummy tuck

The traditional tummy tuck is a tried and true method to overhaul the stomach area. This technique uses incisions to gain access to the underlying fat and muscles which can be repositioned and tightened with sutures. This has even been shown to have medical benefits for postpartum women who suffer from back pain or urinary incontinence because of weak abdominal muscles. After this is accomplished, any extra, saggy skin can be removed before the skin is pulled down and closed. Sometimes, liposuction can be used along with this technique to remove any stubborn fat in the area.

Mini tummy tuck

Although this technique is called ‘mini’, it can still be just as effective for patients looking for results below the belly button. The same technique as a traditional tummy tuck applies, but the mini tummy tuck is not as invasive and usually requires less downtime. Dr. Salzman can also perform liposuction on the lower body and hips during this procedure, meaning it’s a great option for overall rejuvenation of the lower body if your stomach area is otherwise satisfactory.

Which is best for me?

The best way to determine which tummy tuck is best for you is through a consultation with Dr. Salzman, where you can discuss what you would like the change and how you want it to look. However, a good way to determine which would benefit you most is through location— if you have stubborn fat and excess skin below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck can help. If the fat and loose skin extend higher, a traditional tummy tuck may be required. Dr. Salzman can also recommend whether you might benefit from just liposuction or even a non-surgical fat reduction procedure!

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Salzman and see what options are available to you, contact our office or fill out our online form. We serve patients looking for great results in the Louisville and surrounding areas.

Why Choose Emsculpt®?

There are a lot of options when it comes to non-surgical body sculpting because many patients are finding great results. Emsculpt is the latest technology in this category to hit the market, but you should know what makes it different from other options like CoolSculpting® or Vanquish™, and why you should be sure to ask about it at your body sculpting consultation.

Build muscle while you lose fat

Although many other body sculpting treatments are effective at reducing stubborn fat in areas of the body that are prone to it, Emsculpt has an added benefit. This procedure uses electromagnetic energy to induce contractions in the muscle (similar to a workout) beyond what the muscle can achieve on its own. This not only burns fat but also forces the muscle to remodel itself to adapt to the contraction. With a few treatment sessions, you’ll notice an improvement in overall muscle tone and contours.

Augment your diet and exercise results

Emsculpt is a great option if you’re already working on slimming down and achieving the body you’ve always wanted because it can speed up your results and give you the progress you’ve been looking for. Emsculpt can also be a great way to jumpstart a new diet and exercise regimen if you’re looking to improve your body’s tone if it’s already at or near your ideal weight. You can still work towards your great results without downtime or recovery from a surgical procedure.

Use it along with other body sculpting procedures

Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to pairing your Emsculpt treatments with another non-surgical body sculpting procedure. Whether it’s CoolSculpting, Vanquish, or Exilis, you can plan your treatment plan with the help of our expert aestheticians to get the best results from these treatments. Although treatments like CoolSculpting might be spaced further apart than Emsculpt, you’ll find great results over a wider amount of time as you continue your diet and exercise regimen.

We’re proud to offer Emsculpt as an effective option for patients looking to achieve the body they’ve worked hard for. To learn more about this new technology, contact our office and schedule a consultation with our expert aesthetic staff who can begin planning the right body sculpting treatment plan for you.

Moms, It’s Time for Your Makeover

Spring is the time of year for flowers, rain showers, and celebrating what makes mommies great. the Moms make a lot of sacrifices, but feeling great in their body shouldn’t be one of them. Many women experience pregnancy and childbirth but feel resigned to the toll that it can take on their body. A mommy makeover is a set of procedures that can restore and rejuvenate the body to its pre-pregnancy state. Here are some of the things that can be included in your customized treatment.

Breasts

The breasts play an important part in pregnancy and nursing, but they can, unfortunately, change permanently in shape, size, and position during the process. Many women find their breasts have grown to an uncomfortable size or become stretched out and saggy. A mommy makeover can include a breast procedure to lift, reduce, or augment the breasts to restore them to their natural shape. It can sometimes even be performed with a combination of two techniques, like a reduction and lift. Dr. Salzman can help you plan your treatment techniques to ensure you get the breasts you want.

Tummy

Perhaps the most affected area during pregnancy and childbirth is the stomach, which can be left with excess skin or pockets of fat due to the way the female body stores fat during pregnancy. Diet and exercise sometimes aren’t enough, so a tummy tuck can restore a slim, contoured abdomen. Many women also struggle with loss of muscle tone in the abdomen, which can be corrected by tightening and suturing the abdominal muscles, which is commonly practiced during the procedure. These can become stretched and ineffective during childbirth and are unable to be restored through exercise.

Details

Although the breasts and stomach are the two most commonly treated areas, many women opt for additional procedures to add the finishing touches to their new body. Whether it’s additional liposuction, fat transfer, vaginal rejuvenation, facial procedures, or non-surgical rejuvenation techniques, it can be a great way to feel like a new, better you.

To begin your mommy makeover journey and discuss any questions you may have, contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Salzman.

Request a

Consultation

  • * All indicated fields must be completed.
    Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Come Visit Us in

Louisville

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top