Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Louisville

Tummy Tuck In Louisville, Lexington, Kentucky

Dr. Salzman is an extremely experienced tummy tuck surgeon, having performed thousands of tummy tucks since 1989. His procedure is done without any blunt tearing of the tissues, producing a more comfortable postoperative experience.

Indications

Loose or sagging abdominal wall skin, sometimes combined with excess fat of the abdominal area and laxity of the abdominal muscles, is often a result of wide weight fluctuations commonly seen after pregnancies or bariatric surgery for weight loss.

The Abdominoplasty Procedure

Abdominoplasties (tummy tucks) are often done as an outpatient procedure under a general anesthetic in our own on-site, AAAASF-certified surgery center. The surgery involves removal of excess skin, tightening of the abdominal muscles, and liposuction of the excess fat of the abdominal wall, flanks, and hips. An extended abdominoplasty may be necessary to remove large amounts of excess skin in both a vertical and horizontal fashion resulting in a T-shaped incision. Like liposuction, we add a tumescent fluid containing numbing medication and epinephrine to narrow the blood vessels. We also use an Exparel injection intra-operatively into the abdomen that lasts 3 days to help with pain management.

Dr. Salzman performs a no-drain tummy tuck, which means it does not require the use of drains during recovery. This is done with the help of progressive tension sutures, which dissolve over time. This technique prevents the development of seromas, or built up fluid, so drains are not needed. The no-drain tummy tuck is a popular procedure, as drains can be uncomfortable and hard to deal with during recovery.

What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?

We’d all love to have flat tummies. But if you’ve had children or if you’ve gained and then lost a good deal of weight, your reality is likely some degree of a stomach pooch. The problem, especially due to the localized weight gain of pregnancy, is that once the skin and support tissues of your lower abdomen have been stretched for a period of time they cannot return to their former degree of tautness. In many cases, the stomach muscles that manage the center of the lower abdomen can actually become separated by the localized weight gain. No matter how many crunches you do, no matter how dietary restraint you have, those muscles cannot return to the center without surgical help.

A tummy tuck with Dr. Salzman and our team can give you back the flat abdomen of your youth. Separated muscles are brought back to the center and sutured into place. This actually slims the patient’s waist. Excess skin is removed. Pockets of fat are usually removed with liposuction. This all works together to give you a flat, firm abdomen.

Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos

Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?

There are a couple things Dr. Salzman wants his potential tummy tuck patients to understand when considering this procedure. First, to be a candidate you need to be finished with having any additional children. Tummy tucks repair separated stomach muscles caused by the localized weight gain of pregnancy. They remove excess, sagging skin. If you get pregnant again, all of the same stretching will occur. Plus, the weight gain will likely distort your incision scars.

Second, this isn’t a weight-loss procedure. Tummy tucks are meant for women whose abdomen area has sagging, stretched skin. This is the result of pregnancy or the gain and loss of a significant amount of weight. If you have a tummy tuck, but then go on and lose more weight, you may create additional sagging, which is what the procedure is meant to address. Dr. Salzman generally wants his tummy tuck patients to be within 10 percent of their ideal weight to qualify for this procedure. It’s best to have been at a stable weight for a few months.

How do I prepare for a tummy tuck?

Bottom line? You will need to rest for at least two weeks. For extended tummy tucks this may even be longer. To prepare, you’ll want to create a comfy recovery nest, filled with pillows, blankets, and lots of entertainment options. You’ll need to arrange help around the house, as you won’t be able to lift more than just a couple pounds. Any lifting of more weight or strenuous exercise will need to wait for at least six weeks, so you need to plan for that.

Abdominoplasty Recovery Process

You’ll prepare as you would for any surgery by stopping taking any blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, and most supplements for one week prior to your surgery. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks prior to and after your surgery, as smoking impedes wound healing.

Most of your preparation should really be aimed at your recovery. Due to the incision Dr. Salzman makes in these surgeries, patients have an involved recovery where they need to really lay low. These are major surgeries on the abdominal area, and the odds are Dr. Salzman will need to bring your separated abdominal muscles back to the center and re-anchor them.

Typically, recovery for a tummy tuck takes about 10 days to 2 weeks. Pain is controlled with oral pain medications. The Exparel injection lasts 3 days. We send patients home with a catheter in their bladder to allow the bladder to return to function the next day when the catheter can be removed. In patients with desk-type jobs, work can usually be resumed after 2 weeks for tummy tucks. More vigorous types of work may require 2-3 weeks before work can be comfortably resumed.

BLOGWhat is a Drainless Tummy Tuck

How long will my abdominoplasty results last?

These changes made by Dr. Salzman are permanent changes. The excess, sagging skin he removes is gone for good. Repositioned muscles will not separate again. Fat that is removed is gone.

Yes, you will have some slight sagging as you move through your life — unfortunately this surgery doesn’t stop the aging process! — but as long as you maintain a healthy weight and incorporate some exercise into your life, you’ll enjoy the results gained with this procedure for the rest of your life.

Really the only way to mar your results would be if you become pregnant or gain a large amount of weight again.

Can a tummy tuck be combined with other cosmetic procedures?

Abdominoplasties are often combined with cosmetic breast procedures such as a breast reductionbreast lift, or breast augmentation. Also, other areas of liposuction such as the legs, arms, or neck can be done at the same time.

BLOGThe Modern Tummy Tuck

How soon after giving birth can I get a tummy tuck?

You really don’t want to rush things here. You need your body and your hormones to stabilize before you can have this surgery. In most cases, a period of 6 months to a full year is necessary to allow your body to heal, to enable you to lose all or the vast majority of your baby weight, and to allow your hormones to stabilize and return to their normal levels. It can be tempting when seeing that new pooch on your lower tummy area to rush toward surgery, but waiting is the best course moving forward.

Plus, you need to be absolutely sure you are not going to have any more children.

Are there any food or lifestyle restrictions after having a tummy tuck?

There aren’t any restrictions on what you can eat or do moving forward after you’ve recovered from your tummy tuck. We’ve found, however, that patients are so thrilled with regaining their slimmer former contour that they really want to maintain their results. This usually involves some changes in diet and lifestyle if the patient had a tummy tuck as a result of former weight gain and loss.

As mentioned above, if you maintain a healthy weight and make exercise a part of your life, you’ll be able to enjoy your slimmer contour from your tummy tuck for decades.

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Note

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can only be determined at a consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

For more information on Abdominoplasty or to schedule a consultation, call Salzman Cosmetic Surgery and Spa today at 502-425-5200 or click here to contact us online. Our practice proudly serves Louisville, KY and the surrounding areas.

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