Last updated on August 30th, 2018 at 08:14 pm
Tummy Tuck Procedure Step-By-Step
If you’re like many people in Miami, you’ve probably tried everything to get rid of that stubborn belly fat. Sit-ups, crunches and leg lifts are great abdominal exercises, but pregnancy, heredity and fluctuating weight can cause your stomach to sag. A tummy tuck is a great option for Miami patients who are physically healthy, maintain a stable weight and don’t smoke.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical technique that eliminates excess abdominal fat and skin. This procedure takes about 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. This step-by-step guide will help you understand how Dr. Roudner of Miami performs the tummy tuck procedure.
Before your operation, Dr. Roudner will use a surgical marker to identify the location of your incision. He will place the mark on your lower abdomen in case you want to wear low cut underwear or a bikini bottom.
Dr. Roudner will cleanse your abdomen and pubis area with an antibacterial solution. This reduces the possibility of your incision becoming infected. He will use an intravenous line to deliver the medicine and liquid that you need during your tummy tuck. Dr. Roudner will use special equipment to monitor your heart, respiration and other vital signs. He will use a compression cuff on your legs to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Miami patients can receive general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. General sedation is administered as a gas through a surgical mask. Intravenous (IV) sedation is delivered though your IV line. Patients can discuss their sedation preference and options with Dr. Roudner during the tummy tuck office consultations. Your anesthesia provider will start your anesthesia after you are connected to the monitors.
The tummy tuck will begin after the anesthesia has been administered. Dr. Roudner will make a low incision above your pubic area across the lower part of your abdomen. He will make a shorter incision for patients undergoing a mini tummy tuck. A patient with excess fat and skin will receive an additional incision around their belly button. Your belly button remains attached to your abdominal wall. Dr. Roudner will lift the skin and fat off the abdominal muscles.
He will check your abdominal muscles to determine whether it has separated at your midline. Dr. Roudner will suture the muscles to repair your weakened abdominal wall. This will pull the stomach muscles tighter and create a sort of internal corset for Miami patients undergoing the tummy tuck procedure.
Dr. Roudner will position the top portion of the surgical table to bend at your waist. This will enable him to remove additional skin and fat during the tummy tuck. He will pull the skin and fat toward your feet to determine the amount he can remove. This requires precise measurements to avoid excess tension and pulling when its time to close the incision.
Dr. Roudner will siphon off excess abdominal fat and pull your skin into its new taut position. Miami patients undergoing a full tummy tuck will get a new navel opening.
Dr. Roudner will place drains between your skin-fat layer and the abdominal muscles to remove any excess fluid that accumulates during your tummy tuck recovery. He will remove the drains during your follow up consultation at his office. Dr. Roudner will trim the excess skin; close the incisions around your belly button and your lower abdomen with sutures.
Most Miami patients can resume their activities and return to work in about 10 days. It will take about 6 months for you to notice the full effects of your tummy tuck procedure.
