Las Vegas Tummy Tuck Surgery
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, flattens the abdomen by removing fat and skin while also tightening the stomach muscles. Patients choose a tummy tuck in order to remove unsightly fatty tissue and skin which results in a flatter abdomen. As far as cosmetic procedures go, abdominal surgeries are fairly common, as thousands are performed each year across the country.
The tightness of the abdominal muscles may change over time from weight gain to pregnancy. Looseness in the stomach region can stand in the way of your self-confidence. If your efforts to flatten and improve your mid-section have not produced your desired result, you may be an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck at Signature Plastic Surgery & Dermatology.
Interested in learning more about a tummy tuck in Las Vegas and Henderson? Call (702) 684-5502 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shah and learn more! Our offices are located in Henderson and Las Vegas, and we proudly serve cosmetic surgery patients visiting from all over Nevada and beyond.
Candidates For A Tummy Tuck
Patients that have experienced radical weight loss, pregnancy, past surgeries, or aging resulting in a negative impact on the appearance of your abdomen, you may be a good candidate for surgery. Those in good health, with excess fat and skin, are good candidates. Patients that are planning on having more children should wait before receiving an abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty Consultation
Before undergoing surgery, patients will need to have a consultation with Dr. Himansu Shah, a double board-certified plastic surgeon. The consultation visit for abdominoplasty is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about your proposed procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Shah will go over your options, allow you to ask any questions, and perform a physical exam. A staff member will provide you with the schedule of fees.
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In Dr. Shah’s capable hands, the options are almost endless. From surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, Brazilian butt lift and Breast Augmentation, Dr. Shah can deliver the results you’ve always desired with a simple trip to the office.
Are There Different Types Of Tummy Tuck Procedures?
There are different methods or types of tummy tucks. During your consultation with Dr. Shah, the two of you will discuss your options depending on your situation. Here are brief descriptions of the various methods:
This method involves one long incision, usually spanning from hipbone to hipbone, that addresses loose sagging skin on the lower abdomen. A second incision is made up around the belly button area to address sagging above the belly button. A traditional tummy tuck allows tightening across the entire abdominal area and removes a good deal of excess skin and underlying fat. Abdominal muscles are usually brought back to the center and re-attached. Liposuction is often added to remove some pockets of fat.
This procedure is for patients who don’t have lots of excess, sagging skin, but still want to remove a small pooch in the lower stomach area. Only the lower incision is made, and it usually won’t span the same length as with a full tummy tuck.
This is similar to a traditional tummy tuck, but the high lateral tummy tuck uses both horizontal pulling as well as vertical pulling and tightening. This works to slim the contour and it can tighten the skin above the navel to a higher degree.
This rare method involves an incision below the breasts or at the breast crease. It is focused on tightening the skin from the navel to the breasts.
This method takes the lower incision from the full tummy tuck and extends it past the hipbones. The incision may wrap around the flanks to better address them, or it can extend all the way around to the back to allow tightening and tissue removal of the upper buttocks. Extended tucks could be deemed a combination with a thigh lift or buttock lift.
How Should I Prepare For A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Shah is major surgery, so you’ll prepare as you would for any surgery. That means you’ll stop taking any blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and most herbal supplements for at least one week prior to your surgery. These can create excessive bleeding and subsequent bruising. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks prior and two weeks after your surgery. Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, and this impedes healing.
With a tummy tuck your real preparation is for your recovery. When you return home, you’ll be hunched over — standing up straight will be a challenge for a few days. Climbing stairs will be out, as well, so you need to prepare to sleep downstairs if you normally sleep upstairs. You want to create a recovery nest filled with comfy pillows, blankets, and entertainment galore, as you’ll need to lay low for at least the first week. This is no time to “tough it out” and rush your recovery or do things on your own. You won’t be able to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for a while, so you’ll want to enlist assistance for most things around the house. Reaching up will also be a no-no, so prior to your surgery it’s a good idea to bring any common items you may need, such as plates or glasses, down within easy reach.
It’s important to follow Dr. Shah’s post-surgery instructions carefully, and these involve preparation prior to your surgery. Doing so will allow your long incision to heal as cleanly as possible.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
All tummy tuck procedure types are considered outpatient procedures and performed under general anesthesia. First, Dr. Shah makes a coordinating incision based on the type of tummy tuck being performed. Then, he will remove the appropriate amount of tissue and skin. Next, Dr. Shah will stitch underlying muscles and the fascia beneath the skin into a new, tighter position with permanent sutures.
As needed, the skin around the navel and the navel itself will be adjusted. Finally, Dr. Shah will close the abdominal incisions. Depending on the type of tummy tuck and the patient’s body the procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.
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Tummy Tuck Recovery
Immediately after the tummy tuck, we will wrap the abdomen in surgical dressing, and Dr. Shah may choose to place drains or tubes. This is to allow excess fluid to exit the surgery site. The abdomen will be swollen and sore after the effects of IV medication subside.
Patients have to keep drains in place for a week or two. In order to support abdominal tissue healing, patients wear a compression garment for several weeks. It is very important that after the tummy tuck you keep your abdomen bent to allow for healing. In most cases, patients can resume normal activities, including light exercise, within the first month after abdominoplasty.
When Can I Get Back To My Normal Activities?
As mentioned above, any strenuous exercise or lifting needs to wait for six weeks. But returning to normal stuff such as driving and walking up and down stairs will vary by the patient. Obviously, you cannot drive if you’re still taking your prescription pain medication. But within 10 days or so, you should be good to go with most activities. Pain will be your barometer on what you can and cannot do, and you need to listen to it. It’s key to not place any unnecessary stress on your lower incision.
Schedule A Consultation For Las Vegas Tummy Tuck Surgery
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Himansu Shah, MD,FACS has helped countless women who are unhappy with the overall appearance of their mid-section achieve the results and confidence they desire. Dr. Shah and our expert team are committed to providing the best results and experience possible.
Interested in learning more about a tummy tuck in Las Vegas and Henderson can do for you? Call (702) 684-5502 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shah and learn more about a Las Vegas tummy tuck! Our offices are located in Henderson and Las Vegas, and we proudly serve cosmetic surgery patients visiting from all over Nevada and beyond.
FAQ
Las Vegas Tummy Tuck
It is important to note that results are not immediate and become more noticeable over time. It can take up to three months for swelling to completely subside. As your body heals, you will see more and more of your new self. Maintaining your weight with a consistent diet and exercise will yield longer-lasting results.
A patient should choose a board certified plastic surgeon. A patient can have multiple consultations to find the surgeon that he/she is most comfortable with and trusts.
This will depend on your anatomy and amount of fat you have.
Tummy tuck procedure is performed to address loose skin, muscle separation, and shape. Some patients may also benefit from lipoabdominoplasty to address excess fat for better contour. Results would vary with each patient.
In some cases, patients need to remove additional fat before tightening the muscles and skin. Therefore, some patients elect to combine tummy tuck surgery with liposuction or Vaser Lipo. Additionally, a tummy tuck is not the ideal choice for everyone. We offer non-surgical options including Endymed 3DEEP treatment, as well as CoolSculpting. They are not intended for the same dramatic results that are possible with abdominoplasty.
A tummy tuck is combined with a breast lift and liposuction in Dr. Shah’s mommy makeovers, which address the body areas most impacted by the stresses and changes of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. This is a popular combination of procedures into a single surgical session.
You could also combine a tummy tuck with a thighlift or buttock lift. To include an outer thigh lift and potentially a buttock lift, Dr. Shah would extend the tummy tuck incision beyond the hipbones to the flanks, and possibly around to the back.
Liposuction is already a part of most tummy tuck procedures, as Dr. Shah uses it to remove pockets of fat for some patients.
If you’re interested in combining procedures, bring this up during your consultation with Dr. Shah. The two of you can discuss your options. It is important to remember, however, that tummy tucks already involve a significant recovery.
It is possible to have a full body sculpting at the same time. During the consultation, Dr. Shah can help you determine if you are a candidate.
To prepare for your tummy tuck consultation, it is best to start with researching the procedure and your potential plastic surgeon. Make sure you are doing the procedure for the right reasons. Make a list of questions you need to have answered so you do not forget. It is most important that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.
You will be asked to arrive 1-2 hours prior to procedure at Signature Surgery Center to get prepared for your surgery. You must not drink or eat after midnight. Come with comfortable clothing that is easy to get in and out of. Do not apply make up take a shower with antibacterial soap.
Yes, I will use the patient’s own belly button and will create an opening to pull the belly button through.
Yes, I do muscle repair for almost all of the tummy tuck procedures.
Yes, you will have 2 drains post tummy tuck procedure. They remain until drainage is less than 30 cc for 24 hrs. Usually they can come out in 3-7 days for most patients.
Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure, however, most patients do lose some weight due to the amount of skin and fat that is removed during the procedure.
A patient can have surgery immediately after consultation with Dr. Shah depending on surgery center availability.
A tummy tuck can take up to 2-4 hours depending on the patient’s needs.
A patient can get pregnant after undergoing an abdominoplasty, however, they should be aware that there is a risk of having loose skin after pregnancy which may need to be corrected.
I will use primarily dissolvable sutures except for the suture that is used to secure the drains. Those sutures will be removed upon drain removal.
Recovery time is approximately 4-8 weeks depending on each individual patient.
I would typically recommend a patient to refrain from any heavy lifting or exercising for approximately 8 weeks. Patients may be able to start light exercise or walking before that time. It is best to follow up at your post op appointment to know what Dr. Shah recommends.
I typically recommend that the patient avoid any heavy lifting more than 10lbs for approximately 8 weeks. Someone may place your toddler or baby in your lap, which maybe ok.
A patient should be careful when making sudden movements or lifting immediately after surgery.
A tummy tuck can involve some discomfort and pain after surgery. Pain medication will be prescribed or patient can take OTC pain medications after surgery.
Swelling post tummy tuck procedure is normal and can last anywhere from 3-6 months. It is recommended for that patient to wear a compression garment for at least 8 weeks to help with swelling. Patient should be aware that they may need to purchase a smaller garment once the swelling has subsided.
There are always risks with any procedures. For a tummy tuck the most common risk being that the incisions can open, bruising, and swelling.