Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Dr. Joseph Mazza, board certified plastic surgeon, offers abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery at his Mazza Plastic Surgery center located in Ft. Myers, FL. Are you self-conscious about your stomach? Have you lost weight, exercise and are still bothered by loose hanging skin and fat in your abdomen? For women who have undergone multiple pregnancies, the loose skin and loss of muscle tone are particularly problematic.
Abdominoplasty is an excellent plastic surgery procedure that removes surplus fat and tissue from men and women’s mid-section (abdominal region). Let Dr. Joseph Mazza show you how an abdominoplasty procedure can help you achieve a flatter, more contoured stomach.
IS A TUMMY TUCK RIGHT FOR ME?
CONSULTATION PROCESS WITH JOSEPH MAZZA, M.D.
If you are unhappy with the way your stomach looks, a tummy tuck may be right for you. Dr. Joseph Mazza will examine you and review your medical history. During the consultation he will discuss your stomach contouring goals and determine if you are a candidate for a full or partial abdominoplasty. (See description below)
Good candidates for partial abdominoplasty include men or women who have too much excess fat for liposuction alone but not enough excess fat and skin for a full abdominoplasty procedure.
Ideal patients for a full abdominoplasty are those who:
- Are in overall good health
- Have had their abdominal muscles and skin stretched by pregnancy
- Have lost a considerable amount of weight (where once obese) and still have some excess fat deposits and loose, hanging abdominal skin
You should not consider a tummy tuck if:
- You are considering becoming pregnant
- Planning to lose weight
- Do not want a scar
Dr. Mazza is often asked about the heavily promoted mommy makeovers that offer low cost tummy tucks. These “specials” advertise that a tummy tuck can be done quickly and relatively inexpensively. Don’t be fooled by so-called “cosmetic specialists” who lack the rigorous training and surgical experience that a board certified plastic surgeon undergoes. An abdominoplasty procedure is a complex surgical procedure that, if not done correctly, may result in unsightly scars, misplacement of the navel and a poorly contoured and shaped abdomen.
ABDOMINOPLASTY (TUMMY TUCK ) PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY
Dr. Joseph Mazza thoroughly discusses with his patients their desired aesthetic goal and recommends the procedure(s) that will produce the best results. For his patients considering a tummy tuck he will discuss if a “complete” or “partial” abdominoplasty is best.
Dr. Mazza explains the difference as follows:
Full Abdominoplasty
A full abdominoplasty begins with an incision above the pubic area that extends between the hipbones. A second incision is made around the navel to detach I from the skin. The skin is then elevated up to the level of the ribs.
Dr. Mazza then carefully pulls the abdominal muscles together and stitches them into position. The navel is then relocated and stitched into place. Dr. Mazza then replaces the skin and sutures the original incisions.
A complete tummy tuck takes between two and five hours, and dependent upon the individual needs and medical condition of his patients, may not be done at an accredited outpatient surgical center. For some patients an inpatient surgical center with a one-day hospital stay may be advisable.
With respect to recovery time, it varies dependent upon the patient’s tummy tuck and the procedure undergone. Typically, recovery ranges from 14 days to a couple of months when you will return to Dr. Mazza’s Ft. Myer’s Plastic Surgery Center for your check up and to have your drains removed. The post-surgical drains are required to remove the excess fluid so that the newly attached abdominal skin adheres. Compression garment for the stomach must be worn until Dr. Mazza instructs you to remove it.
Most patient return to work within two weeks. Strenuous exercise and work should be avoided for several months. Dr. Mazza will prescribe pain medication.
Partial Abdominoplasty (Mini-Tummy Tuck)
If fat deposits are limited to the region below the navel, you may only need a partial abdominoplasty or mini-tummy tuck. With this plastic surgery procedure, Dr. Mazza explains that a much smaller incision is made than with a full tummy tuck. Also, another important difference is that the patient’s navel is left in place. The next step is for Dr. Mazza to carefully stretch the flap of skin down, precisely remove the excess fat and tissue and stitch the flap back into place.
Dependent upon the amount of fat that needs to be removed and desired body contouring for your waist and/or love handles, liposuction may also be used. Compression garment for the stomach also must be worn to promote healing and maximize the results of the mini-tummy tuck and, if needed, liposuction.
The partial procedure lasts one to two hours and is usually performed on an outpatient surgical center. Recovery is much shorter than with a full abdominoplasty procedure. Dr. Mazza will advise you when you can return to work and resume exercising.
EXPERIENCE THE DISTINCTIVE EXPERTISE
AT MAZZA PLASTIC SURGERY
YOUR CHOICE FOR AESTHETIC SERVICES EXCELLENCE
CALL: 239.482.7676, FOR YOUR PERSONAL CONSULTATION.
Joseph Mazza, M.D. is an experienced aesthetic (cosmetic) surgeon who incorporates his advanced surgical skill with his artistic eye to produce natural looking results for his patients who want to remove excess fat and tighten loose flabby abdominal skin. If you desire extraordinary patient care in a safe, modern and professional environment, choose Dr. Mazza.