Tummy Tuck- FAQS by Miguel Delgado, MD. Visit his website and view hundreds of before and after photos and many videos. CALL TODAY 415-898-4161
Napa Valley, California -
Other patients who are good candidates for a Tummy
Tuck are patients who lose a large amount of weight, resulting in excess skin,
which responds extremely well with a Tummy Tuck.
Napa Valley, California -
1. How is a Tummy Tuck performed?
2. What can I expect during my initial consultation?
3. Is there anything I need to do to prepare for a Tummy
Tuck?
4. How long does the Tummy Tuck procedure take?
5. What type of anesthesia is administered during a Tummy
Tuck?
6. Will I be able to return home the same day as my Tummy
Tuck?
7. When can I return to work?
8. Will I have significant scars following my Tummy
Tuck procedure?
9. Will I be able to have children after a Tummy Tuck?
10. How can I tell if I am a good candidate for a Tummy
Tuck?
1. How is a Tummy Tuck performed?
During a Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, Dr. Delgado makes a horizontal
incision across along the lower abdomen, staying inside within the underwear coverage
area line. The underlying muscle is tightened like a corset. Excess skin is
pulled down, and meticulously trimmed, and the incision line is sewn closed. The
belly button (navel) does not change from its original location in the abdomen,
but it is pulled through a tiny incision made in the newly tightened abdominal
skin. Tiny sutures reaffix it to the skin surface, resulting in a flat reset as
an “innie” style belly button (navel). ”.
2. What can I expect during my initial consultation?
Dr. Delgado sees patients for consultations in both his offices, with
one being located in San Francisco and the other being located north of the
Golden Gate Bridge, in the city of Novato, in Marin County. He sees patients in
both locations for consultations. In your initial consultation, Dr. Delgado
will inquire about your concerns and goals, both short-term and long-term.
Dr. Delgado, in addition, will confirm and ensure that you are certain you
will not become pregnant in the future.
This is because Tummy Tucks are intended only for patients who have completed
childbearing or have no intentions or ability to become pregnant in the future.
Dr. Delgado will perform a physical examination to assess the degree of
your skin laxity, determine any slackness in the belly button and your
abdominal wall, and evaluate the appearance of the belly button (navel). He
will show you an outline of where the incisions will be located and how long
they would be. Dr. Delgado will have the opportunity to review then show you
before and after photographs of patients that he has performed Tummy Tucks so
that you have an impression of his artistic work and talent. You will be
presented with a DVD that shows patient testimonials regarding the Tummy Tuck
procedure. An exact price quote for your procedure will be prepared and given
to you the day of your consultation for review.
3. Is there anything I need to do to prepare for a Tummy Tuck?
The most important preparation you need to make for a Tummy Tuck is to
prepare your family (or friend caregiver) and your home for your recovery. Make it as comfortable and uneventful as
possible. Initially, your family/caregiver will be required to help you
initially get in and out of bed, and to and from the bathroom. You will need
them to prepare food for you and assist you with your medications.
If it is your habit to smoke, you need to discontinue this entirely. This needs to be stopped at least four weeks
prior to surgery as smoking significantly impedes normal healing and can
compromise your final results.
Dr. Delgado and his staff will explain all the elements for the blood
clot prevention program, which is a pro-active educational process designed to
help prevent the serious complications of blood clots and thromboembolism.
Prior to surgery, it is important to avoid all blood-thinning products that
inhibit the blood’s ability to clot. These products include all non-steroid
anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Advil, aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, ibuprofen)
and medications containing aspirin. Fish oil and certain herbal supplements need
to be avoided for the same reason. Dr.
Delgado will be providing a 20-page information booklet with these and other
details to help you prepare for your Tummy Tuck procedure.
4. How long does a Tummy
Tuck procedure take?
A Tummy Tuck takes approximately four to five hours. Often times, liposuction is done at the same time, which takes an additional hour or so. The Tummy Tuck also depends on if there is a waist-enhancement procedure performed, which takes more time as well. The length of time, in addition, depends on if there are additional procedures, such as breast surgery, performed, much like a Mommy Makeover. Dr. Delgado will be able to give you a fairly accurate time of the length of time for your surgery in the planning of your overall procedure.
A Tummy Tuck takes approximately four to five hours. Often times, liposuction is done at the same time, which takes an additional hour or so. The Tummy Tuck also depends on if there is a waist-enhancement procedure performed, which takes more time as well. The length of time, in addition, depends on if there are additional procedures, such as breast surgery, performed, much like a Mommy Makeover. Dr. Delgado will be able to give you a fairly accurate time of the length of time for your surgery in the planning of your overall procedure.
5. What type of anesthesia is administered during a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy Tucks require general anesthesia. The Tummy Tuck procedure
requires a general anesthetic. An LMA (or laryngeal mask airway), is a new,
state-of-the-art procedure that allows the patient to breathe unassisted during
the procedure. Short acting anesthesia medications are given to maintain an
adequate, but light level of general anesthesia. This allows the patient to awaken very
quickly at the end of the procedure. However, with a Tummy Tuck procedure, it
is required that a short period of paralysis is performed, so that the
abdominal muscles can be adequately tightened. This, again, is a short-acting
paralysis, which quickly wears off before the procedure is concluded.
With Tummy Tuck procedures, paralysis must be induced for the brief
period during which the surgeon tightens the muscle wall. Unless the muscles are in a relaxed state,
this cannot be adequately accomplished. The anesthesiologist manages the patient’s
breathing during this short phase. For most of the procedure, however, the
patient breathes on their own.
6. Will I be able to return home the same day as my Tummy Tuck?
Most patients undergoing a Tummy Tuck are able to return home the day
of surgery. Significant advances have been made regarding the early postop
recovery with the addition of pain pumps, which gently disperse local
anesthetic directly into the surgical site for three to four days following
surgery. This greatly reduces the amount of discomfort during the early
postoperative period. However, if other procedures are performed along with the
Tummy Tuck, an overnight stay may be required for safety and pain management.
7. When can I return to work?
You will be able to return to work and most other activities within two
weeks following your Tummy Tuck procedure. However, intense exercise and other
strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks to avoid
unnecessary swelling and excessive stress on freshly healed structures. Driving
generally can be resumed usually within reach in seven to ten days.
8. How significant are my scars following my Tummy Tuck procedure?
All surgical procedures leave incisional scars. Dr. Delgado understands
that you want these scars located in the most inconspicuous areas, so that they
will be concealed by regular clothing. The Tummy Tuck scar is located low on
the abdomen, just above the pubic hairline on most patients. The scar traverses
from hip bone to hip bone. Your scars will extend from the pubic hair towards
the hipbones. The exact length of the scar will depend on how much extra skin is
to be removed. The scars can be easily be hidden with clothing and will significantly
blend into your skin tone over the subsequent following year. Women tend to wear a
large variety of clothing styles and they can opt to have incision shape
options. They can request a variety of shapes
for their incisions so they are customized to accommodate their individual
tastes in apparel.
9. Will I be able to have children after a Tummy Tuck?
We recommend that the childbearing years be completed. The internal
tightening of the muscles could adversely affect a future pregnancy and,
therefore, pregnancy is highly discouraged following a Tummy Tuck. We do not recommend it.
10. How can I tell if I am a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Many women, after childbearing years, require a Tummy Tuck to reclaim
their pre-pregnancy bodies. The results of pregnancy can cause irreversible
stretching, increased laxity of the skin, increased muscle laxity around the
mid torso region, and unwelcome increased fat deposits.
A patient may best benefit from a Mommy Makeover, which, in addition to
a Tummy Tuck, includes breast surgery and liposuction. This has become a very
popular surgery combination.
San Francisco plastic surgery specialist with offices in
S.F. and Marin County, California.Dr. Delgado is certified by the Am. Board of
Plastic Surgery. He specializes in facelift surgery, all breast surgery, and
body contouring such as liposuction,
tummy tuck, and mommy makeover. www.sanfranciscocosmetic-surgery.com call todat 415 898 4161