What Makes an Ideal Candidate for a Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a popular procedure used to eliminate excess fat and skin around the stomach and waist. There are a number of reasons why people choose to have this type of cosmetic surgery. One of the most reasons people choose this surgery is to remove sagging skin and fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise.

Before deciding if this procedure is right for your needs, you first need to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck. While there are a number of factors that you and your doctor will need to consider, the following are just a few of the characteristics of a good surgical candidate:

-Physically healthy

-Emotionally and psychologically stable

-Holds realistic expectations

-Follows a healthy lifestyle

-Not seriously overweight

In addition to these basic features of an ideal tummy tuck candidate, there are a number of other factors that may play a role as well. Individuals who are best suited to the procedure generally have sagging skin and extra fat around the abdomen following multiple pregnancies, significant weight loss or age-related weight gain.

Tummy Tucks After Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s body, but the effects can be especially pronounced on the abdominal area. In some cases, women are able to regain their pre-pregnancy body through diet and exercise. For other women, a tummy tuck allow them to restore the firmness and shape of their abdominal area when diet and exercise alone are not enough.

Tummy Tucks After Significant Weight Loss

Losing weight can lead to feelings of personal accomplishment, self-confidence and well being, but major weight loss can also lead to negative side effects that can seriously undermine your satisfaction with your body. Sagging skin and poor muscle tone can negate much of the happiness you might gain from losing weight, but tummy tuck surgery is one way to eliminate excess skin and fat.

It is important to note that abdominoplasty is not intended as a weight loss procedure. In fact, the best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are those within a reasonable range of their ideal weight, follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. For individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, however, it can help the shape of the body and sculpt and lift the waist and abdomen.

Tummy Tucks to Combat the Effects of Aging

As people age, skin and muscles begin to lose their elasticity. While the effects of time and gravity are impossible to avoid, a tummy tuck can help minimize the impact of the aging process on your waistline. This can be especially beneficial if you are fighting the dreaded “love handles” that seem immune to diet and exercise. By trimming and sculpting your waist, you can achieve a slimmer and more youthful appearance.

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Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty – Surgeon Qualifications

You would not select a dentist to perform Liposuction. Similarly, you should not jeopardize the outcome of your Tummy Tuck procedure, or your well being, by choosing anyone less than the most qualified plastic surgeon.

While many states allow any licensed physician such as a gynecologist, general surgeon, or otolaryngologist to perform cosmetic surgery, that does not mean all these physicians have had the extensive formal training in cosmetic surgery that is taught to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. In some states, even dentists are lobbying to perform cosmetic procedures.

Because a Tummy Tuck is major surgery, you should place your life in the hands of the most qualified and skilled plastic surgeon. You should also choose a surgeon who will show you solid “Before and After” examples of his or her work, and whose artistic sense is in sync with the results that you are seeking.

In choosing a surgeon to perform Abdominoplasty, you should first choose one who has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

This assures that surgeon has endured the most rigorous training possible, including three to five years of training in general surgery and two years of training in plastic surgery. Beware of those physicians who claim to be “board certified” cosmetic surgeons. This may mean that they have taken a brief weekend course in a procedure, but does not guarantee the competence that the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures. Ideally, you will choose a surgeon who has extensive Abdominoplasty surgery experience, not only experience in plastic surgery in general. Abdominoplasty, like sculpturing, is an art that is learned through experience, but can only be perfected by the plastic surgeon that has an eye and feel for body proportions and contour. This ultimate expert should be an artist as well as a skilled surgeon.

What Surgical Facility is Best for a Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty/ Body Lift?

You wouldn’t have your wisdom teeth pulled in your dentist’s living room. Why not give equal consideration to your physician’s surgical facility? Your very life could depend, not only upon the skill of your surgeon, but upon the quality of this facility.

The Importance of Accreditation

Your surgery should be performed at an accredited ambulatory surgery center, or at a hospital. It is unwise to have your surgery performed merely in a physician’s office, or procedure room, especially in the case of a Body Lift, which is a more extensive surgery. If your physician operates in a surgical facility, there are five crucial factors to consider:

It is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (www.AAAASF.org) or;

It is certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (www.AAAHC.org) or;

It is certified by Medicare or;

Is it certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and;

The facility has a transfer agreement with a local hospital. (This is necessary in an emergency situation when a patient needs to be transferred to a hospital).

Does the facility have the capacity for overnight stay? There is a trend towards requiring post-surgical overnight monitoring or stays for more extensive procedures such as a Body Lift, Panniculectomy, Belt Lipectomy; or in cases when multiple procedures are performed at one setting.

Is your physician credentialed to operate at a local hospital? Does your physician have privileges to perform your chosen surgery in a hospital? If a hospital does not approve a surgeon as qualified to perform your procedure in its facility, this is a significant factor to consider for your safety. Has he or she been barred, disciplined, or suspended from any hospital?

To investigate the status of local physicians, visit: www.medbd.ca.gov/Lookup.htm.

What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used for a Tummy Tuck?

As a rule, your cosmetic surgeon will use general anesthesia for this procedure. There are some surgeons who supplement the general anesthesia with an Epidural injection (such as is given during childbirth). While helping to reduce pain during the immediate post-operative period, some surgeons feel that epidural anesthesia might potentially cause more harm, by causing urinary retention and preventing the patient from moving around right away.

Pain Pumps are new devices that can help patients with post-operative pain. Pain Pumps are small reservoirs (the size of a “Walkman”) of local anesthetic that infuse Lidocaine or Marcaine into the wounds for the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Unlike Patient Controlled Anesthesia (PCA) which can only be administered in a hospital, Pain Pumps are sent home with the patient. Because they help keep the surgical areas anesthetized, they reduce the need for narcotics, therefore, lessening the post-operative incidence of nausea. While some patients like using them, others feel that they are not that effective and are instead cumbersome and hinder their mobility. Therefore, Dr. Younai gives his patients the choice of using a Pain Pump if they wish to have them.

You should pay special attention to the anesthesiologist who your plastic surgeon uses during surgery. Like your surgeon, the anesthesiologist literally holds your life in the balance. It is therefore critical that you put your life in the best hands.

Many patients have preconceived notions about the type of anesthesia that is best for them. Unfortunately, these thoughts are often based upon hearsay, or upon informal research that has no scientific basis. While you are the final arbiter of your treatment, only an experienced physician can guide you properly in making the crucial decision about your anesthesia.

This is not guesswork! Allow your physician to explain your safest anesthesia option.

Many facilities employ trained nurse anesthetists. However, it is optimal to have anesthesia administered by an anesthesiologist rather than a nurse. Preferably, your anesthesiologist should be certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology.

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Abdominoplasty Or The Tummy Tuck

Abdomens come in many different shapes and sizes. They are affected by many environmental factors such as gravity, age, and pregnancies which all take their toll on their appearance. Our perception of normal is influenced by television and magazines. Selecting the right surgeon is very important as not all surgeons offer identical tummy tuck or abdominoplasty methods. We have three dimensional bodies. Excess sagging tissue often extends from the front, the sides and the back of the body. Surgery can treat these problems by sculpting some areas and leaving certain parts alone.
Tummy tucks can be very rewarding as long as the patient understands the risk and potential complications. It is essential that a patient is aware about the risks involved with all surgical procedures. Your chosen surgeon should be willing to discuss and review all abdominoplasty risks with you. Prior to surgery, your surgeon should perform a thorough medical examination of his or her patient in order to identify whether that patient poses an increased risk for complications.
Prior to surgery, anesthesia will be administered. Anesthesia in itself carries risks during and following the tummy tuck surgery. Surgery also carries a risk of infection and blood clots. Blood clots and normally be avoided by making sure the patient begins moving as soon as possible following the abdominoplasty. Conditions such as poor healing might require another surgery and it is recommended that you discuss this with the surgeon before the abdominoplasty commences.
The variety of tummy tuck surgery a patient will receive depends upon the quantity of fat deposits found in their abdominal area. Fat quantity will also determine which surgery will be the most effective. During your initial consultation you will learn the benefits of the tummy tuck. The surgeon should conduct a full evaluation of the patient’s health and lifestyle to determine whether a tummy tuck will be the best choice. A patient should be prepared to disclose their entire medical history as well as their expectations. In return, the surgeon will be able to explain whether a patient’s expectations are reasonable. This is very important because the more information a patient provides their surgeon, the more likely they are to be happy with their results. Being up front with your surgeon is also important in relation to the risks that can influence the outcome of the surgery as well as the increased risk of complications.
During the consultation the surgeon will discuss not only aspects of the surgical procedure but also the financial aspects of the operation. As the surgery may not be a procedure covered by insurance, finances need to be taken into consideration when deciding on the appropriateness of the surgery. The patient will be given individual instructions based upon their particular conditions in order to prepare them for their tummy tuck. In preparation, a patient will be given dietary guidelines along with other necessary lifestyle changes. These changes may only be temporary but it is essential to follow the instructions to ensure the success of your surgery and to avoid the risk of complications during and after the procedure.

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Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck

A well-toned and flat stomach is an show that more and more souls endeavor for to hold. To reach this, people experience challenging exercise and strict weight control through diets and fasting. Multitude incline to drudge for numerous prolonged hours performing physical exertion using gym machines and nevertheless sometimes these methods cannot attain particular goals that they yearned for.  This is where plastic surgery comes in to work out the trouble of undesirable adipose tissues and to improve the shape of the body. A subdivision of plastic surgery is getting famed because of the crowning outcome it will bring to the overall show of a individual. Let us get to know more about this procedure  tummy Tuck.What is a Tummy Tuck?A Abdominoplasty or also identified as abdominoplasty, takes away inessential skin and fat, and in most types fixes busted or separated muscular tissues creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and healthier. This enhances a person’s generic look by cutting the flabs on the front and sides of the body, making a more sounder and well-toned stomach.There are even mortals of differently typical body weight and dimension that can have an stomach that bulges or is loose and sagging. There are distinct causes of why a tummy can lead to this monstrous show. Several of these cases include effects of maturating, gestation, variations of weight that are too big apart, or merely the cause of genetics.If a mortal is disgruntled with the way he or she looks and feels and is conceiving about getting a Abdominoplasty, there is a need to know which processes will have the advisable events and how to find the advisable operating surgeon must be looked for. Do some private investigating on how to see the advisable surgeon. Making definite that the surgeons performing the procedure are certified masters and are legit are certain ways to make sure that there are less, or better yet, no complications after the tummy Tuck surgery.  If the Abdominoplasty surgery is elected, the need to inform oneself on the steps to take to have the greatest potential outcomes must also be determined.

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Tummy Tuck

Turn on late-night television any night of the week and you will see paid advertisement after paid advertisement for the “perfect” way to get a sleek, toned abdominal area. Whether it is a new cardio workout, a new piece of equipment or even a new diet program, it is apparent that people are clamoring for beach-ready bodies.

Unfortunately, some people are simply unable to rid themselves of stubborn abdominal fat and sagging skin even though they appear to do everything right. With a little help from a qualified cosmetic surgeon, both men and women in this predicament can achieve the bodies they desire.

An abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is an excellent option for healthy individuals who wish to have excess fat and skin removed from the abdominal area.

Tummy Tuck Options

There are different tummy tuck procedures to meet the needs of each unique patient. The cosmetic surgeon should assess the patient’s body type and desired results to tailor the surgery to meet those expectations.

Tummy Tuck Misconceptions

A tummy tuck is not:

Risks and Complications

Abdominoplasty is a serious invasive surgery, and as such there are potential complications that can arise, including but not limited to:

Conditions such as diabetes; poor circulation or heart, liver or lung disease can increase these risks. Smokers and nicotine users also have an increased risk of serious complications.

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Different Types of Tummy Tucks

A traditional, or full tummy tuck, is reserved for patients who have a significant amount of excess skin to be removed as well as weak abdominal muscles. In this procedure, a long incision is made along the bikini line that stretches from hip to hip. From this incision, excess fat is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. It is sometimes necessary to make an additional incision in the navel area during this procedure. Any excess skin is then stretched downward and removed before the incision area is stitched closed. This procedure usually requires that the surgeon reposition the navel so it is in the proper location on the abdominal region. This is the most invasive tummy tuck procedure, but it can produce jaw-dropping results.

The mini-tummy tuck targets the area below the patient’s navel. The incision line is shorter than with a full tummy tuck and excess fat and skin are removed from the abdominal area below the navel. The abdominal muscles can also be tightened during this procedure. The navel does not generally need to be repositioned. This is a less invasive procedure that typically has a quicker recovery time and results in a shorter scar.

Even less invasive than the mini-tummy tuck, the endoscopic tummy tuck requires only small incisions through which an endoscope can be inserted to tighten abdominal muscles. Excess abdominal fat can also be removed via these small incisions. No abdominal skin is removed during this procedure, so it is not utilized on patients with loose skin in this area.

Patients who have experienced extreme amounts of weight loss will be left with an overabundance of excess skin and even fat that make it difficult to be happy with their newfound weight loss. A vertical scar tummy tuck is designed for these types of individuals. In this procedure, both horizontal and vertical incisions are made to allow the surgeon to remove larger amounts of excess skin and fat and tighten the waist area.