Introduction to
A Tummy Tuck is a procedure that sculpts and reshapes a patient’s abdomen by tightening muscles and tightening the skin; tummy tucks generally require the removal of some skin. Many patients also need to have excess fat removed with liposuction as well. A tummy tuck is also known as abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck is not an obesity cure, but it is a popular choice for new mothers to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. The procedure is also appropriate for those who have recently lost weight, but still have weakened abdominal muscles. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will discuss the procedure with you during your consultation and determine if a tummy tuck is right for you.
The only surgeons qualified to perform abdominoplasty are board-certified plastic surgeons. This surgery requires every bit of technical skill and artistry and requires a broad understanding of wound healing, liposuction, a lot of facilities with knots, types of thread, use of drains, what the patient should and should not do pre-op and post-op, and what the patient should and should not take pre-op and post-op. Tummy tuck surgery is not conceivably learned in a weekend course. Other surgeons may have an understanding of the abdominal area, but a cosmetic outcome and a great-looking belly button truly require all the positive surgical traits of a board-certified plastic surgeon.
There are four major components of a tummy tuck:
Liposuction is used one way or another in almost every tummy tuck. Most plastic surgeons liposuction the hips or flanks (muffin tops) to get a better waistline and often decrease the need for a long tummy tuck scar. Liposuction can be used to blend the edges of a tummy tuck to prevent what is known as “dog ears”.
Our Hawaii Tummy Tuck patients have come to find some of these benefits from their surgery:
The best candidates for a Tummy Tuck in Hawaii are those with these characteristics:
First Steps
You will receive sedation during your tummy tuck procedure. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will then (in most typical cases) make a long incision across the bottom of your abdomen, near where your thighs meet your stomach. A second cut around your belly button might also be needed if you require excess skin from the upper part of your abdomen removed. The long incision will be used to allow for the adjustment of skin, removal of excess tissue and fat, and the tightening of your abdominal muscles. You might want to plan to take the following week off from work since the soreness in your abdominal muscles will prevent you from being able to stand completely straight until they have healed. After that, you can enjoy your new slimmer body.
LIPOSUCTION in one way or another is used in almost every tummy tuck. Most plastic surgeons liposuction the hips or flanks (muffin tops) to get a better waistline and often decrease the need for a long tummy tuck scar. Liposuction can be used to blend the edges of a tummy tuck to prevent what is known as “dog ears”.
CREATION OF A COSMETICALLY APPEALING BELLY BUTTON. Technically, belly buttons should take anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes to create just the right size, and defeat all skin that is going to be pulled down to meet the original belly button base. Time-consuming dissolvable sutures need to be placed in hidden locations to prevent scarring and thereby prevent damaging the beauty of a well-done umbilicus.
CORRECTION OF SEPARATED ABDOMINAL MUSCLES (RECTUS DIASTASIS). Abdominal muscle separation is a normal component of pregnancy. If the abdominal muscles did not separate during pregnancy, the uterus would be forced to go straight upward, prevent the diaphragm from functioning correctly, and lead to the death of the mother before she delivered. Abdominal muscles come back together 30% of the time after the first pregnancy, only 10% of the time after the second pregnancy, and rarely after the third pregnancy. These muscles need to be repaired for both functional and cosmetic reasons.
WOUND HEALING AT THE ABDOMINOPLASTY SUTURE LINE. How do you get a great, almost imperceptible scar after the skin resection and necessary tightening that is done in an abdominoplasty? First of all, the suture repair has to start very deep with permanent sutures that sew together a system known as the superficial fascial system. Then below the surface are put strong, dissolvable upside-down staples. This unique system is known as Insorb and uses dissolvable inter-dermal (just below the skin) barbed sutures, finally providing a surgical adhesive similar to super glue.
Immediately following your tummy tuck, most patients are prescribed pain medication and antibiotics; you may also be prescribed a supportive garment for a few days following the surgery. Results from your tummy tuck will be visible within a week or two of the procedure.
Surgery doesn’t end at surgery. Surgery ends when the abdominoplasty scar is as good as the patient’s genetics will allow. Dr. Sclesinger will tape the wound with a very strong form of post-operative surgical tape known as Proxy Strips. These last for two weeks at a time, to help get rid of redness and elevation, and help teach the new collagen fibers how to come in both flat and strong. In a matter of weeks, you should begin to enjoy the results of your tummy tuck.
What is the cost?
Several factors influence the cost of a tummy tuck. First, an effective tummy tuck may also require excess fat to be removed through a liposuction procedure. To keep the cost of your tummy tuck low, you can combine procedures that separately would incur a greater cost.
You may also wish to look beyond the bare cost of your tummy tuck. A surgical procedure of this nature requires a high degree of technical skill.
Some are concerned about their tummy tuck cost, but you can discuss with our staff several options for financing our procedures. Remember that when you are deciding if you want plastic surgery, you should weigh your expectations against the cost. A tummy tuck can improve your look and make you feel more comfortable in your clothes. For many this cannot be accomplished without surgery. Your health and well-being are invaluable, and the slight tummy tuck cost will be worth it to improve your appearance.
You should always work with an experienced surgeon when undertaking any complex procedure. A tummy tuck cost is also dependent upon the experience of the surgeon. You should not compromise expertise for a lower cost.
Included in the tummy tuck cost are the facility costs, use of anesthesia, medications, medical tests, and the fee for the plastic surgeon. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that has inherent and minor risks, but to further minimize those risks, you should opt for a more experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, such as S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS. This might increase your tummy tuck cost, but your health, safety, and satisfaction with the results of the surgery will be worth the slight difference.
S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS 28 years of experience and over 20,000 cosmetic surgical procedures in Hawaii have given him the technical skill to accomplish the most effective results. Technical skill is 75% of the deal–artistic skill is the other 25% that makes the difference between an acceptable surgical outcome and a transcendent outcome. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS possesses the appropriate blend of technical and artistic skills.
To learn more regarding your options as a Honolulu tummy tuck patient, contact our Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule an initial consultation at our office in Honolulu. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will be glad to speak with potential Hawaii tummy tuck patients during that time. Contact us at (808) 517-5076 to arrange an appointment or to learn more about Tummy Tucks.
*Important Disclaimer: The preceding text describes a medical procedure; the description is a summary and is necessarily generalized. Every patient has different needs, and this website should never be regarded as specific medical advice. No website or other written description can be a substitute for one-on-one patient care. If you have further questions, please arrange a visit with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS to discuss your specific needs.
