Albany Tummy Tuck
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Overview
A tummy tuck at The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, New York can help men and women lose sagging, loose skin around their waist and stomachs. A tummy tuck can remove those large, annoying fatty areas in the tummy that just never go away no matter how much you exercise and diet. A tummy tuck can help men and women who are in overall good shape lose that annoying and embarrassing soft and flabby skin around their waists and help them look more toned and fit.
Imagine how much better you would look and feel if you were a woman who had a tummy tuck to tighten your stretched stomach muscles and correct the loose and baggy skin of your stomach after having several pregnancies. Think how a tummy tuck would enable you to pick out clothes and wear them with new confidence, especially swim suits. No more embarrassment. No more loose, flabby unsightly skin around your waist and tummy.
Or, maybe as you've aged, your skin has become loose and saggy around your waist because you've put on some weight that just won't go away. Just think how a tummy tuck from the plastic surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, New York will make you look and feel younger and more attractive.
The first step to having a tighter, firmer, more appealing tummy is to make your private consultation with one of the plastic surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, New York. Call 518-438-0505 and arrange your tummy tuck consultation or send us an email.
The Procedure
There are two types of tummy tuck surgeries: a complete tummy tuck which normally can take up to five hours of surgery, and a partial tummy tuck which involves a shorter incision and may take only a couple of hours of surgery. With complete tummy tuck surgery, your plastic surgeon from The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, New York will create a long incision across the lowest part of your abdomen from both of your hips. Another incision will be made around your navel. With partial tummy tuck surgery, the incision across your abdomen will be much shorter and there may be no incision around your navel. The skin is then tightened, excess is removed and the incision is closed.
In complete tummy tuck surgery, after the incisions have been made the plastic surgeon lifts the abdominal skin as far up as the ribcage to reveal the muscles of the abdomen. These muscles are pulled closer together and carefully positioned and stitched, firming the abdomen and narrowing the waist.
The lifted skin is stretched back into position and excess skin is eliminated. The plastic surgeon then creates a new navel hole and the incisions are stitched closed. In some cases, a drainage tube may be used to help clear fluids. This is temporary and will be removed soon after your tummy tuck surgery.
Recovering
After your tummy tuck surgery in Albany, bandages will be applied to your abdomen and you will most likely have small, temporary drainage tubes below your skin to avoid fluid collection. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe medication to help you feel as comfortable as possible.
You will be urged to stand and walk as soon as you can after your surgery. This may be somewhat difficult at first, but it is important to maximize your blood circulation at this stage of the recovery process. You should also be careful not to lift, bend over quickly or otherwise strain your abdomen during this early recovery stage. Your plastic surgeon may also advise you to lie on your back when you are sleeping and keep your knees propped up.
Keep in mind that everybody heals differently and there are many factors that can influence how quickly your body recovers from tummy tuck surgery. In general, however, within a week of surgery all tubes will be eliminated, stitches will be out and your abdominal bruises and swollen areas will not get any worse. After three or four more weeks, you can stop wearing any kind of support device, you can start to be more active and exercise in moderation, you will be able to go back to work as long as it's not too strenuous and your abdominal bruises and swollen areas will obviously start to disappear. After a few months you'll begin to see the benefits of your tummy tuck surgery at The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, New York. At this time you should enjoy full sensitivity and comfort in your abdomen and you'll notice the scars from the incisions beginning to fade.
Potential Risks and Complications
The Albany plastic surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group in New York have performed hundreds and hundreds of successful tummy tucks on men and women who are seeking a better body contour. As with all surgeries, there are some risks associated with tummy tuck surgery, but with careful attention to your plastic surgeon's directions both before and after your surgery, these potential complications can be minimized and treated effectively.
In rare instances, an infection or a blood clot may occur following tummy tuck surgery. These types of infections can be avoided with proper drainage and can be cleared up with medications your plastic surgeon can prescribe. The best way to avoid blood clots is to follow your plastic surgeon's directions and start to move around and become active again as soon as possible after your tummy tuck surgery. If you are a smoker, you face a greater chance of longer healing time, poorer healing and other complications. You should stop smoking several weeks before your tummy tuck surgery and during the recuperation process.
Common Questions About Tummy Tucks
Where does the surgery take place?
Both types of tummy tuck surgeries -- partial and complete tummy tucks -- can be performed in an outpatient surgery center or office-based facility. They can also be performed in a hospital. Discuss these options with your plastic surgeon at The Plastic Surgery Group in the Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady area.
Will I be awake during my tummy tuck?
That depends on what type of anesthesia and what type of tummy tuck your plastic surgeon decides is best for you. A general anesthetic will make you sleep during the entire procedure. A local anesthetic and medications that will sedate you and make you sleepy will allow you to be awake but very comfortable during the surgery. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these options with you and make a determination during your consultation.
How long will it take to feel back to normal after my tummy tuck surgery?
Recovery time varies from person to person, but in general most men and women who have tummy tuck surgery can go back to work comfortably in just a couple of weeks. Sometimes it takes a few more weeks of resting to feel comfortable returning to work. The better condition you are in at the time of your surgery, the faster your recuperation will be.
Does exercise help the recovery process?
Exercise is a very important factor in recovering from tummy tuck surgery. It helps in many different ways -- from reducing the amount of swelling and reducing the chance of a blood clot developing to helping give the muscles in your newly contoured tummy much more tone. Of course, you should exercise moderately at first and gradually increase the vigorousness of your exercise in relationship to your comfort level.
To find out more about tummy tucks in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga, New York, contact The Plastic Surgery Group at 518-438-0505 or send us an email today. Fill our our online form for a complimentary cosmetic consultation.
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