TUMMY TUCK (Abdominoplasty) SURGERY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS


If you have the desire to rid yourself of loose sagging skin of the abdominal area, or you just want a slimmer, firmer stomach, you may be a good candidate for Abdominoplasty.

For patients who have an excess of abdominal skin and loose abdominal muscles, abdominoplasty may be a great choice. Many women seek out abdominoplasty after having lost weight, after having had children or been pregnant and even due to abdominal laxity due to aging. Individual differences in skin elasticity and muscle tone are important factors in determining if you will benefit from this type of surgery. In this surgery, an incision is made in the abdomen extending above the pubic area from one hip to the other. Often an underlying muscular defect is present which can be repaired at the same time. This procedure then involves the removal of excess skin and fatty tissue and redraping of the skin is needed to achieve the optimal appearance. Depending upon the extent of the required procedure, an inpatient or outpatient approach may be appropriate and a general anesthetic is required. Surgical scars will never completely disappear but will gradually fade and become less apparent. Potential complications will be thoroughly discussed during the consultation with Dr. Placik. Postoperatively, you must refrain from strenuous activity for up to six weeks and wear an elastic support garment for two to three weeks. Click here to learn the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction. Click here if you have more questions about liposuction.

Abdominoplasty Techniques

There are a variety of techniques for a tummy tuck, depending upon the amount of skin needed to be removed, your body's ability to heal, if you scar well, the skill of the surgeon and the technique utilized:

Endoscopic Abdominoplasty
For patients who have weakened muscles of the lower abdomen, excess abdominal fat - yet still have relatively tight abdominal skin, an endoscopic abdominoplasty may be an option for you. If you have loose skin, this procedure will not suffice in tightening the loose skin on your stomach.

An endoscopic abdominoplasty is performed with the help of a small camera, called an endoscope, which is attached to the surgical instruments. The procedure is performed with the use of these instruments through a small incision, usually suprapubic incision (above the pubis) or in the umbilicus (navel). The muscles are tightened and sutured though this incision with the help of the endoscope guiding the surgeon's eye. The fat is also removed using liposuction and after a drain is placed, the incision is closed.

Although not as invasive as full abdominoplasty surgery - it does require recovery time. You will still feel slight to moderate discomfort post-operatively and will experience swelling as well. This is all a part of the normal healing process involved in regaining a tighter tummy.

Mini-Tummy Tuck; Partial or Modified Abdominoplasty
This procedure is for patients who need skin and fat removal only and no "new" navel placement. Tightening of the muscles can be performed with the mini-tummy tuck incision but if this is done it is usually not considered a "mini". Sometimes abdominal muscles can be "blown" (stretched out to no return) but the patient has mild to moderate skin laxity. The mini-tummy tuck usually results in a shorter scar.

Dermolipectomy
Dermolipectomy is the removal of redundant skin and excess fat but requires repositioning of a "new" belly button. The process of incision placement, fat removal and skin excision remains the same but there is no muscle tightening. It is for patients who have a higher level of skin laxity than mini-tummy tuck candidates

Full Abdominoplasty This technique is the most invasive and is generally reserved for patients who have very lax muscles and excess amounts of skin to be excised. In the full abdominoplasty a "new" navel will be made as the original one will more than likely be pulled down and that section of the abdominal flap excised. Some patients may need a vertical incision at the navel area in cases which require more than moderate, yet less than considerable laxity around the umbilicus. Vertical Scar Abdominoplasty; or Fleur-de-lis This technique combines the use of a lower abdominal transverse incision with a midline vertical incision up the abdomen. The vertical length varies from case to case as some patients may need more skin excision, and some less. This technique is usually reserved for those who need substantial skin excision and waist tightening. Abdominal Liposuction Only Many patients who have not gained a significant amount of weight nor had children (and those who have had children) may only need liposuction of the abdomen. For those of you who have good skin elasticity and just stubborn pockets of fat in your lower and periumbilicus, liposuction can lessen the look for a protruding stomach. Click Here for more information on liposuction.

Find Out More About Recovery from Tummy Tuck Surgery

Read Dr. Placik's Guide to Tummy Tuck Recovery

Manor Care Post-Operative Recovery

Link to American Society of Plastic Surgeons Abdominoplasty Information

Visit our FAQs section to find out more about Tummy Tucks

For more information on tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) and how it can improve your figure, call Dr. Otto Placik at (847) 398-1660 or (312) 787-5313, or contact us online.

Associated Plastic Surgeons, S.C. Otto J. Placik, M.D., F.A.C.S. (847) 398-1660 or (312) 787-5313 Arlington Heights and Chicago, Illinois

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