Tummy Tuck Learning Center
Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Right for Me?
• You feel bothered by the size and appearance of your stomach.
• You have tried to live a healthy lifestyle through a healthy diet and exercise and have achieved a stable weight.
• Tummy tuck patients should be in good health and finished having children.
• You are a non-smoker or plan to quit smoking well in advance of the scheduled procedure.
“I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful and liberating it is not to be ashamed of my body anymore. Finally, it is representative of all the effort I have put into maintaining my figure after the birth of my children. Your service and support have been exceptional and worth every penny.” – J.G. Winston-Salem, NC
Tummy Tuck Procedure Overview
A tummy tuck is designed to improve the appearance and tighten the abdomen. In addition, a tummy tuck also restores weakened abdominal muscles to create a more defined abdominal wall. Women who have had children are often left a loose “inner girdle” that stretches during pregnancy. The tummy tuck is the only procedure that will tighten an inner girdle.
Dr. Ditesheim’s Approach to Tummy Tuck Surgery
During the tummy tuck surgery, the excess fat and skin from your middle and lower abdomen is removed and the inner girdle of the abdominal wall is tightened. A tummy tuck involves a horizontal incision in the area between the pubic hairline and the navel. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary. Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured and excess fat, tissue and skin is removed. A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. Dr. Ditesheim will speak with you about the options available for your body type to meet your individual goals. Call us at (704) 754-8351 to schedule your consultation.
Abdominoplasty Surgery Pre-Operative Overview
Dr. Ditesheim and his experienced staff will provide you with pre-surgical information that includes guidelines about drinking, smoking and avoiding certain vitamins and medications. It is important to make driving arrangements before the tummy tuck procedure and arrange to have someone stay with you for at least one night. During the pre-op appointment you may want to ask the Dr. Ditesheim and his staff about how to prepare your family for your recovery. Dr. Ditesheim’s caring staff has a wealth of experience in preparing families for the recovery process and ensuring a predictable, smooth process.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
An abdominoplasty procedure usually lasts between 2 – 5 hours. The tummy tuck procedure is usually done as an outpatient, under general anesthesia administered by a physician anesthesiologist to minimize discomfort during the procedure. The procedure may be performed in a partner hospital near the office or in our own AAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities) accredited surgical suite. Our surgical facilities are built and run by strict standards, to ensure the highest level of safety and comfort.
Abdominoplasty Surgery Recovery
Once the tummy tuck surgery is complete you will be bandaged and may be given a compression garment in order to reduce swelling and to ensure optimal results for your newly contoured stomach.You may also have temporary tubes present to aid in the drainage of blood and fluid. Most women report only slight discomfort, but the pain is usually mild. Dr. Ditesheim will prescribe medications for pain management to aid in any discomfort. Most of our patients take about one to two weeks off of work to slowly restart normal activities. Dr. Ditesheim usually requests that a patient wait about a month to get into more vigorous activity. Our experienced staff will provide you with postoperative guidelines that provide instructions for the most comfortable and successful healing. In addition, our nurse, Debra, will call you each day to make sure that you are recovering properly.
We want to make sure that your surgical experience and recovery is as pleasant as possible. My attentive staff is here to ensure that your recovery is a success story waiting to be told.
