Chicago Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

The Best Candidates For Chicago Abdominoplasty Surgery

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in relatively good shape, but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t responded to diet or exercise. The surgery is predominantly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight, or women who plan on future pregnancy should postpone the surgery until the future. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, Dr. Speron may caution you that scars can be unusually prominent or there might be a higher risk of skin flap loss.

If You're Considering Chicago Abdominoplasty Procedure...

Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck," is a large surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck can dramatically diminish the appearance of a protruding abdomen. This procedure does produce a permanent scar. Depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, it may extend from hip to hip.

If considering a tummy tuck, this will give you a basic understanding of when the procedure can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect, although the some of the answers may vary depending on the individual patient. Please ask Dr. Speron about any questions that you might have.

While Chicago Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before deciding to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Speron.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

Although thousands of successful tummy tucks are performed each year by qualified plastic surgeons trained in body contouring, there are always risks and specific complications associated with the surgery. Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots can occur, but are very uncommon. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will extend your stay at the hospital. The risk of blood clots can be minimized by moving around as soon as possible after the surgery.

Following Dr. Speron’s instructions before and after surgery, especially regarding physical activity reduces your risk of complications. Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smoking can increase the chance for complications and delay healing and you will be required to stop prior to surgery.

Planning Your Chicago Abdominoplasty Surgery

At your first consultation, Dr. Speron will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell him if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, herbal supplements or other drugs. Be honest in discussing your expectations with Dr. Speron. He will be equally honest with you, discussing your options and the risks and limitations of each. He will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to your desired body contour.

If your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a partial abdominoplasty, or mini-tummy tuck, which is a less complex procedure and can often be performed on an outpatient basis. On the other hand, you may benefit more from partial or complete tummy tuck in conjunction with liposuction. This will remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Liposuction alone may also create the best result.

Other issues Dr. Speron will determine during the consultation are the anesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. You should check your policy, but in most cases, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of abdominoplasty. Insurance will usually cover a panniculctomy procedure.

Preparing For Your Chicago Abdominoplasty Surgery

Dr. Speron will provide you detailed instructions on how to plan for Chicago Abdominoplasty surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, herbal supplements and medications. If you smoke, quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and don’t start for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can stall your ability to heal. Your surgery will possibly be postponed if you develop an infection or cold.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out if needed for a day or two after you leave the surgery center or hospital, regardless of whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis.

Types of Anesthesia

Dr. Speron may select general anesthesia, so you will sleep through the procedure.

Other surgeons use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You will be awake but relaxed, and your abdominal region will not be sensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.)

The Chicago Abdominoplasty Surgery

Depending of the extent of the work required a complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to four hours. Typically Dr. Speron will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from adjacent tissue. With a mini- tummy tuck, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

Dr. Speron will then separate the skin from the abdominal wall to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to expose the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new placement, providing a firmer abdominal wall and narrowing the waistline. The skin flap is stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, and is then stitched in place. The incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In a mini- tummy tuck, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.

Following Your Chicago Abdominoplasty Surgery

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you are likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Your abdomen will feel tight and you will probably not be able to stand up straight. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours although it is possible you may remain hospitalized for two to three days.

Dr. Speron will give you with instructions for showering and changing your dressings. Even though you may not be able to stand up straight at first, you should definitely start walking as soon as possible. Surface stitches or staples will be removed in 3-5 days, and deeper sutures are usually absorbed. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.

Getting Back to Normal

It can take weeks or months to feel like your old self again. If you start out in peak physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery will be much faster. While some people return to work after two weeks, others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.

Exercise will help you heal better and it is recommended that people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots and tone muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided until you can do it comfortably.

Your scars may appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten and lighten in color. While they will never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing and bathing suits.

Your New Look

Chicago Abdominoplasty, whether partial or complete, fabricates outstanding results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. The results are typically long lasting if following a balanced diet and regular exercise.If you are realistic in your expectations, and are prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.