Moneer Jaibaji, M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Tummy Tuck
If you are looking to improve your midsection after completing your family, then a tummy tuck is usually the procedure of choice. A tummy tuck helps you get rid of the excess skin, reshapes the umbilicus, tightens the muscles and removes the excess fat. Short scar tummy tuck is known as a mini tummy tuck. Long scar tummy tuck is also known as an extended tummy tuck. Most tummy tucks however, are standard scar tucks.
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Tummy Tuck Information
While abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, surgery is not an alternative to a healthy weight loss program, it can be a great option for those looking to trim down their midsections and give the abdominal area a tighter, more toned aesthetic. Patients requesting abdominoplasty are often relatively physically fit, but suffer from loose, excess skin brought on by pregnancy, weight loss, or a genetic predisposition. A tummy tuck addresses these stubborn, leftover fat deposits in the abdominal region that you simply can't get rid of, no matter how hard you try.
A flat and toned abdomen is something many women strive for through exercise and weight control. These methods help reduce the fat and tone the muscles, but will not get rid of the excess skin.
Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of a loose saggy abdomen include:
- Pregnancy
- Significant fluctuations in weight
- Aging
- Prior surgery
Tummy tuck surgery is a highly individualized procedure and one that you should do for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Contact Dr. Moneer Jaibaji for more information.
Candidate for tummy tuck:
- You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
- You have realistic expectations
- You have completed your family
- You do not smoke
Although the results of an abdominoplasty procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be reduced by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning significant weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies are advised to postpone tummy tuck.
Dr. Jaibaji will ask you questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle. He will also ask you about your expectations, medical conditions, allergies, and prior surgeries.
Dr. Jaibaji will also discuss your options and recovery. He will also discuss the likely outcome and potential complications.
Previous abdominal surgery may limit the potential results of a tummy tuck. In women who have undergone cesarean section, the existing scars may often be incorporated into the new scar.
Instructions you receive before tummy tuck surgery will include:
- What to do on the day of surgery
- The use of anesthesia during your tummy tuck
- Post-operative care and follow-up
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
Surgical Procedure
The abdominoplasty procedure begins with an incision made from hip to hip, typically placed just below the bikini-line. Dr. Jaibaji will make this incision as discreetly as possible, and any residual scarring can be easily hidden under clothing or swimwear. Dr. Jaibaji will separate the navel from the skin and then tighten the underlying muscles, a step that narrows the waistline and firms up the midsection. Excess fat is removed, the navel is repositioned, and the skin is pulled taut around the stomach. The incision is then closed with sutures. The entire procedure typically takes about two to four hours to complete and is usually performed under general anesthesia. A tummy tuck can be performed on an outpatient basis, and it is essential that you arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you after the procedure.
The road to recovery
Following your surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your abdomen as it heals.
A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect to minimize swelling after tummy tuck surgery.
You will be given specific instructions to aid your recovery from tummy tuck surgery:
- How to care for the surgical site and drains
- Medications to apply or to take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
- Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
- When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon
Mini Abdominoplasty
Mini abdominoplasty is a quicker, less invasive procedure than the full tummy tuck. Patients who have just a small amount of excess abdominal skin and those who are experiencing minor skin sagginess due to aging are often good candidates for a mini abdominoplasty.
The procedure requires a short incision that is made across the lower abdomen. The navel does not need to be separated from the skin. After the incision is made, underlying abdominal muscles are tightened and excess fat is removed. The skin is then pulled tight around the midsection and trimmed to create a fit, toned appearance. Mini abdominoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis, typically taking about two to three hours to complete. Patients generally experience some discomfort and swelling for a few days after the procedure. Any residual pain can be controlled with medication. Scarring from mini abdominoplasty is minimal and Dr. Jaibaji will make every effort to make the incisions as discreet as possible. Strenuous activities should be avoided for about six weeks after the procedure. Patients are usually able to resume normal daily activities within a few days after a mini abdominoplasty.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty
Post-bariatric surgery patients and others who have lost massive amounts of weight are often left with excess fat and loose skin folds in hard-to-tone areas such as the buttocks, outer thighs, and abdomen. Dr. Jaibaji may be able to help by performing a circumferential abdominoplasty, also known as a lower body lift.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty Procedure
This type of abdominoplasty is more complex and invasive than traditional abdominoplasty. It involves making an incision entirely around the waist. The muscles of the abdomen are tightened and excess skin and fat are removed. The abdominal skin is then pulled taut and trimmed to create a fit and toned midsection. Additionally, the outer thighs and buttocks are lifted and reshaped, giving the lower body a completely resculpted and rejuvenated appearance.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty Recovery
Patients should prepare for an extended recovery after circumferential abdominoplasty. The procedure will need to be performed on an in-patient basis, and it generally requires at least a two-night hospital stay. Drainage tubes will be used to expel excess fluids and may need to remain in place for one to two weeks after surgery. Some swelling and bruising are to be expected around the midsection for several days after the procedure. Medication can be prescribed to ease any discomfort. It is important that circumferential abdominoplasty patients wait for Dr. Jaibaji's approval before resuming any vigorous activity. All aspects of the procedure, including postoperative recovery steps, will be explained to you at your initial consultation.
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Our San Diego practice offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures using the latest techniques to help patients make their cosmetic dreams a reality. Dr. Moneer Jaibaji is a highly skilled surgeon who believes that patient care and satisfaction should be the top priority.
Moneer Jaibaji, M.D. |1001 B Avenue, Suite 108 | Coronado, CA 92118 | Ph: (619) 522-0821
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