Before and After
Get the Slim, Tight Tummy You Desire
Tummy Tuck Minneapolis
Are you tired of spending hours at the gym doing sit-ups and crunches, only to have that loose skin and fat stay right where it is? Perhaps you have had children, and still have stretch marks or weak muscles that aren’t improving with exercise alone. Or, maybe you have lost a lot of weight after gastric bypass surgery, and have excess skin around your midriff that makes you feel uncomfortable.
If you wish that stubborn abdominal fat would go away – and diet and exercise aren’t cutting it – a tummy tuck may be the solution for you. Dr. Wire expertly performs tummy tuck surgery for Minneapolis-area patients at St. Francis Hospital.
Abdominoplasty is a surgical technique by which excess skin and fat around the lower abdomen are removed, and scars and stretch marks are minimized. The procedure trims, flattens, and smoothes the stomach, reducing bulges and eliminating loose skin. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, contact us today.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
During a tummy tuck, a surgical incision is made low along the abdominal wall, similar in location to a C-section. The incision typically extends a little farther, out to the hips. This extension allows Dr. Wire to lift, remove, and tighten the skin and abdominal wall tissue that extends across the stomach and up to the breast bone. By releasing all of the attachments of skin in this area, Dr. Wire is able to tighten the interior midline muscles in the abdomen using a technique he calls a “corset suture.” After these muscles are tightened, Dr. Wire stretches and re-drapes the skin in order to remove stretch marks, scars, and excess fat.
Preparing for a Tummy Tuck
Dr. Wire requires that you undergo a preoperative physical with your primary care physician prior to a tummy tuck. This is to ensure you are in optimal health and not at risk for complications such as infections, bleeding, or adverse scarring. If you smoke, or have medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, Dr. Wire will need to know about your history before surgery.
In addition, certain medications may interact with anesthesia and cause adverse reactions. It is important that you tell us what prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you take, prior to surgery. In the weeks leading up to your abdominoplasty, we advise you to avoid taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory pain medications, as they are known to cause prolonged bleeding.
For your safety under general anesthesia, you should arrive at St. Francis Medical Center with an empty stomach on the day of your surgery. Do not eat breakfast or drink liquids that morning, unless you need water to take routine medications. You will need to arrive at the hospital several hours before the procedure to complete the registration process and meet with the anesthesiologist and nurses. Dr. Wire will visit with you before the surgery begins, answering any final questions you may have. At this time he will also draw markings on your abdomen for incisions, and take photographs.
Recovery from a Tummy Tuck
During the two to three days following surgery, you should rest at home. We encourage you to be up and walking around as much as possible during this time, as moderate movement promotes early healing. If you are inactive, you could put yourself at risk for problems such as prolonged drainage or swelling in your legs. Until your dressing is changed, we recommend that you avoid bathing or getting your stomach area wet, as moisture will cause your bandages to deteriorate.
Dr. Wire will see you in his Chaska office several days after surgery, and at this follow-up appointment your dressings will be replaced with clean bandages. We will give you further instructions for the next phase of your recovery and answer any additional questions you may have. After this appointment, you will be allowed to bathe and change your bandages on your own. You may now resume more activities and, if you feel you do not need pain medications, you can drive again.
One week after the surgery, Dr. Wire will remove any drains that remain around your abdomen. You will still need to wear a supportive garment or waistband which applies gentle, supportive pressure over the area. This helps to minimize fluid accumulation and prevent excess swelling.
Within three to four weeks, you can resume the majority of your routine activities. At this time you may run, ride your bike, and lift weights at the gym. However, it is not uncommon for patients to feel hesitant towards more vigorous exercises, such as sit-ups, yoga, or sports that engage core abdominal muscles. Depending on how you feel, you might want to wait a month or two before you resume strenuous core work.
Tummy Tuck Results
You can expect to look more trim and flat around your abdomen, waist, and hips after a tummy tuck, because excess skin and fat will be gone. Most patients find their weight decreases by one to ten pounds after the procedure. If you currently experience discomfort such as bloating and laxity, the tummy tuck should help those symptoms subside. The surgical scar will run low and horizontally across the abdominal wall, just above your pubic hairline from hip to hip.
Risks or Side Effects of a Tummy Tuck
With any surgery, risks or complications may occur. We make every effort to ensure that any pre-existing medical conditions are well-managed prior to surgery, and we strive to ensure your overall good health. With your cooperation in following our advice, your tummy tuck experience will be a good one.
Complications that may arise from abdominoplasty include minor skin infections, persistent seroma (swelling) after drains are removed, and asymmetrical or irregular scarring. Dr. Wire will discuss any possible complications with you beforehand. To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, view our before-and-after photo gallery or contact our Chaska practice serving Minneapolis and beyond, today.
