Plastic surgery in Cumberland, Hagerstown, and Morgantown offers patients aesthetic stomach alterations. An Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” addresses three aspects of the abdomen, including:
- Skin
- The fatty layer under the skin
- The muscles of the abdominal wall
Who is a Tummy Tuck Candidate?
You may be the perfect candidate for a tummy tuck if you have loose skin around the abdomen, you have good overall health, you are not planning on losing any more weight, and you are not planning on becoming pregnant. If you are planning on having more children or losing more weight, you should postpone surgery until after, so you do not have to have multiple procedures. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Carpenter will be the best way to determine if you are the perfect candidate and are able to achieve your desired aesthetic results.
How is an Abdominoplasty Performed?
In each patient, an evaluation is performed with the above factors in mind, and the procedure is tailored according to the needs of each individual patient. Typically, excess skin, which includes wrinkling or hanging lax skin, is treated by removal of the skin. This can be done from the upper abdomen or the lower abdomen with scars being placed within the lines of clothing so that they are hidden in a bikini bathing suit or by undergarments. The fatty layer under the skin can be addressed either through direct removal of fat at the time of surgery or with a liposuction in Cumberland. If the muscles of the abdominal wall have been stretched out by pregnancy, these can be tightened up to create an “internal corset” to narrow the waistline and flatten the abdomen.
Those who consider a liposuction may be interested in Laser Liposuction in Cumberland.
Dr. Robert Carpenter Results
What Kind of Tummy Tuck is Right for You?
Although the various types of tummy tucks are similar in nature, it is important to know which category you fall under. At each level, there are different requirements for recovery, larger or smaller incisions, and additional procedure requirements.
The mini tummy tuck is performed on candidates who have a smaller portion of skin that needs to be removed. As opposed to the traditional and extended tummy tuck, this procedure does not require repositioning of the naval and typically does not address laxity on abdominal muscles. The incision is also smaller than that of other forms of tummy tucks and can be hidden below the bikini line, showing little to no signs of scarring. With the use of painkillers and rest, patients can resume daily activities in about one week.
Traditional tummy tucks are typically performed on those in good physical health, but have loose skin or laxity in their midsection due to weight loss or pregnancy. This procedure requires an incision running from one hip bone to the other and the navel is repositioned. Recovery time is a little lengthier, with 2-4 weeks of recovery time.
Extended tummy tucks are for patients with loose skin around the lower back, hips, and abdomen. These candidates typically require liposuction along with their tummy tuck to address fat as well as sagging skin. The patient’s naval must be repositioned and the incision reaches around the hip. Recovery typically requires a couple days in the hospital along with one month of little to no activity. After a consultation, Dr. Carpenter will provide further details on the procedure that is right for you.
What Kind of Recovery is Associated with a Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Abdominoplasty is more frequent in women but is also performed for men who have a fatty area of the lower abdomen. Recovery times depend on the degree of surgery, as mentioned above, and usually vary from 2-4 weeks to return to work, and 4-6 weeks to return to a strenuous exercise regimen.
