| TUMMY TUCK SURGERY CENTER... | | | | increased bleeding during surgery. The same is true of |
| MORE THAN A 100 FAQ'S ON TUMMY TUCK | | | | aspirin and some NSAIDs (non-steroidal |
| PROCEDURE, | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs). The use of birth control pills, |
| TIPS, GUIDANCE AND MORE... | | | | hormone replacement therapy, and some forms of |
| >> Learn all you can before deciding having your | | | | post-cancer treatment medication may also involve an |
| plastic surgery done. | | | | increased risk of complications during or after surgery. |
| ARTICLE 4 OF A 5 ARTICLES SERIES | | | | Use of these types of medications may, by contrast, |
| CONCERNING | | | | produce an increased risk of developing dangerous |
| Thinking about getting a TUMMY TUCK OR MINI | | | | internal blood clots that can in rare cases lead to |
| TUMMY TUCK HERE??? Here you will find the | | | | embolism. Many cosmetic surgeons recommend a |
| answers, tips, and 100's of FAQ. | | | | daily vitamin C supplement in the weeks leading up to |
| ARTICLE #4 | | | | your surgery while some recommend the use of a |
| 61) Is there any complications associated with Tummy | | | | multivitamin that does not contain vitamin E. Consult |
| Tuck surgery? | | | | your surgeon about the use of nutrition supplements |
| There are potential complications that are associated | | | | prior to surgery. Remember to fill any pain medication |
| with every type of surgery, including Tummy Tuck | | | | prescriptions and bring them with you on the day of |
| surgery. However, many of the complications | | | | your surgery to avoid any unnecessary post-operative |
| associated with Tummy Tucks, as stated below, can | | | | discomfort. |
| be avoided or minimized if you closely follow all of your | | | | PREGNANCY AND TUMMY TUCK |
| surgeon’s instructions. The complications include: | | | | 62) Is it better to do a Tummy Tuck before or after |
| - Blood clots (further details are below); | | | | pregnancy? |
| - Infection (further details are below); | | | | A Tummy Tuck is usually performed after childbearing |
| - Delayed wound healing (further details are below); | | | | has been completed; however, some women may be |
| - Anesthesia reactions; | | | | considered candidates for tummy tucks even before |
| - Aspiration pneumonia; | | | | childbearing. A patient may still have children after a |
| - Bleeding; and | | | | tummy tuck, but abdominal stretching during pregnancy |
| - Unfavorable drug reactions. | | | | may offset much of the benefit of the procedure. |
| | | | Further abdominal contouring procedures may be |
| Blood Clots | | | | recommended after childbirth. |
| For Tummy Tuck patients, one of the risks that should | | | | A patient who has lost large amounts of weight, for |
| be considered as a remote possibility is blood clots. | | | | example, may have substantial overhanging skin of the |
| Any surgery that involves the use of general | | | | lower abdomen. If she plans on pregnancy in only the |
| anesthesia for longer than 30 minutes carries a slightly | | | | distant future, the advantages of doing a Tummy Tuck |
| elevated risk of causing internal blood clots. Although | | | | may outweigh the disadvantages. This would also be |
| blood clotting is your body’s natural way of | | | | the case for women with undesirable scarring on the |
| controlling the amount of blood loss that occurs after | | | | lower abdomen from previous surgeries (such as a |
| an injury, blood clots can become dangerous. When a | | | | C-section). A mini Tummy Tuck may sometimes be |
| blood clot forms inside a blood vessel, it can interfere | | | | advisable even if future pregnancies are planned. |
| with your circulation; in rare cases, it can break off and | | | | 63) What about pregnancy? Can I get pregnant after |
| travel to other parts of your body, including the lungs, | | | | a mini Tummy Tuck procedure without affecting its |
| the brain, and the heart. | | | | result? |
| During your initial consultation, you will be asked to | | | | In most cases (not all cases), women considering |
| provide a medical history and other information that will | | | | Abdominoplasty should not be considering additional |
| help your surgeon determine whether you are at an | | | | pregnancies, or they may have the need for a second |
| increased risk of developing blood clots following | | | | procedure to re-tighten the belly. |
| surgery. For women, if you are taking birth control pills, | | | | 64) I had a full Tummy Tuck operation 3- yrs ago, I did |
| talk to your doctor about the possibility of discontinuing | | | | not want any more babies. I have just found out I am |
| their use while you are preparing for and recovering | | | | pregnant with twins. I am worried I may not be able to |
| from surgery. Studies have indicated that taking birth | | | | stretch enough for the babies? What will happen? |
| control pills while undergoing major surgery may | | | | Congratulations on the pregnancy. Your muscles will |
| increase the risk of complications resulting from blood | | | | stretch and no harm will come to the babies, but a lot |
| clots. Your surgeon should also be made aware of all | | | | of what was done at the original surgery may be |
| medications you are taking prior to performing the | | | | undone. You may require another procedure in the |
| surgery. Hormone replacement therapy and some | | | | future. |
| forms of cancer treatment can increase the likelihood | | | | 65) I am an attractive 30 yr. old woman but after 3 |
| of clotting. People over 40, people with heart problems, | | | | c-sections my lower abdomen is poochy and beginning |
| and women who have recently been pregnant also | | | | to sag. Would liposuction work on this or would I need |
| face higher levels of risk regarding the formation of | | | | to get a tummy tuck? |
| blood clots. | | | | It sounds as though there is excessive skin and muscle |
| The timeline for developing blood clots after Tummy | | | | laxity which liposuction will not help. A full |
| Tuck surgery can vary, but the risk is usually greatest | | | | Abdominoplasty would be the best procedure for you |
| during the first few days following surgery. Surgeons | | | | depending upon skin excess. |
| sometimes employ compression stockings and pre- or | | | | 66) I am thin but have a pouch from pregnancy. What |
| post-operative leg massages to decrease the risk of | | | | would you suggest in my case? |
| blood clots forming in the legs. Your surgeon may | | | | Mini tummy tucks are indicated when there is not a lot |
| advise you to take short, gentle walks around the | | | | of loose skin or stretch marks and only the part of the |
| room within a day or two of your surgery to prevent | | | | abdomen below the navel protrudes. It can be |
| blood from clotting in your thighs and calves. You | | | | combined with mid-section liposuction for greater |
| should begin taking short walks outside your home a | | | | results. |
| week after the surgery is performed. Although some | | | | 67) Can I have a baby even though my belly button |
| movement is helpful and will actually speed your | | | | was moved during a Tummy Tuck last year? |
| recovery, too much exertion, particularly before your | | | | A Tummy Tuck will not interfere with having a baby; |
| stitches have been removed, can be hazardous to | | | | however, pregnancy may undo some of the benefit of |
| your health. Avoid all heavy lifting and vigorous | | | | the tummy tuck. |
| activities such as jogging or rough-and-tumble sports | | | | 68) Can I have a Tummy Tuck procedure during a |
| for a minimum of four to six weeks after surgery. | | | | C-Section or Natural Delivery? |
| Infections | | | | Having a Tummy Tuck procedure during a C-section |
| Qualified surgeons will take every precaution to | | | | or natural delivery is not recommended. We strongly |
| prevent infection during a surgical procedure. A careful | | | | advise you not to conduct such an operation. A |
| surgeon keeps his or her operating room clean, sterile, | | | | woman's hormones have changed tissues so the child |
| and relatively warm. Contrary to popular opinion, a | | | | can pass. There is much stress on the body during |
| patient in a cold operating room is actually more likely | | | | delivery. Distended tissues have not yet shown what |
| to experience an infection than a patient in a | | | | laxity will remain. There is a new born child wanting |
| room-temperature or slightly warm operating room. | | | | care and attention. |
| Most infections following Abdominoplasty result from | | | | 69) What will I look like after my pregnancy? Do I need |
| the failure of patients to care properly for their wounds | | | | a Tummy Tuck to get my abs back? |
| during the Tummy Tuck recovery process. It is | | | | For most women, tissues recover nicely – just |
| important that you closely follow your doctor’s | | | | how much depends on many factors. Multiple |
| instructions on when to remove or change bandages, | | | | pregnancies will significantly stretch tissue, so will |
| when it is safe to expose your wound to water, and | | | | weight gain while pregnant. How you heal is also a |
| how to keep your wound clean. Some bleeding and | | | | factor that will affect your final look. For those who |
| leakage are normal after major surgery, but if your | | | | remain with stretched tissues, Tummy Tuck |
| wound is unclean, you risk infection. | | | | Abdominoplasty after pregnancy has much to offer. |
| The early signs of infection include fever, chills, and | | | | PERSONAL ISSUES CONCERNING TUMMY TUCK / |
| sweating. If the area around your incision begins to | | | | ABDOMINOPLASTY |
| produce pus or if the liquid draining from the incision | | | | 70) I had a Tummy Tuck in 2000 and then I had to |
| has a greenish tint or is draining too steadily, then you | | | | have a hysterectomy. The cut made for the |
| should contact your doctor immediately. Infections are | | | | hysterectomy was on top of the previous scar from |
| treatable using increased drainage and antibiotics. The | | | | the tummy tuck. It left a terrible purple, wide scar. |
| presence of an infection will prolong the time needed | | | | Would a scar revision fix this problem? |
| to recover from a Tummy Tuck operation. Delayed | | | | A scar revision is all that is needed. Both scars would |
| healing can sometimes cause more prominent scarring | | | | be removed and a new scar made which would, likely, |
| following an Abdominoplasty. Because of the risks of | | | | heal in an acceptable manner, much like after your first |
| infection, if you develop a cold or any other form of | | | | procedure. |
| temporary illness, your surgery will most likely be | | | | 71) I have many large stretch marks on my abdomen |
| postponed. | | | | and hip area. I would like to get a tummy tuck, but I am |
| Slow Healing | | | | thin and have a minimal amount of skin to pull. What do |
| Any patient recovering from an Abdominoplasty will | | | | you recommend, should I see a reconstructive |
| heal at his or her own pace. There are, however, | | | | surgeon? |
| specific risks that are higher in Tummy Tuck patients | | | | If your goal is to remove the stretch marks this is |
| whose incisions heal at a particularly slow rate. | | | | difficult to achieve particular in the hip region. The |
| Young patients who are in good physical condition prior | | | | abdominal marks may be removed by an excision of |
| to undergoing surgery are expected to heal faster | | | | some of the affected skin as part of a "mini or |
| than older or less physically fit individuals. The | | | | full" Tummy Tuck or some variation of such. A |
| tenderness, bruising, pain, and swelling that are | | | | consultation with a surgeon would be necessary to |
| experienced to some degree by most patients usually | | | | determine if anything would help. A much faster option |
| pass after about four to six weeks. Patients who | | | | is to send at least 3 pictures of the areas you want |
| continue to experience severe discomfort after six | | | | reconstructed and Cosmetic Harmony will help you to |
| weeks have passed are considered to be healing | | | | achieve your goals. |
| slowly. In many patients, the healing of the abdomen | | | | 72) What about my stretch marks? Can a Tummy |
| does not proceed at a uniform rate. Often the | | | | Tuck remove them? |
| operation site will heal a few weeks later than the | | | | In many cases, a Tummy Tuck does help rid of |
| outlining sections of the surgical wound. In rare cases, | | | | stretch marks because it removes most of the |
| this irregular healing may lead to skin loss. Some areas | | | | "stretched out" skin below the navel. |
| of the skin may undergo a rapid and complete | | | | 73) I'm interested in Abdominoplasty. If I have stretch |
| recovery, while the skin around the areas that are | | | | marks all over my lower abdomen and above the |
| slow to heal may die and have to be surgically | | | | navel area, would I still have stretch marks after the |
| removed and replaced with a graft. In addition to the | | | | surgery? |
| increased level of discomfort, patients who experience | | | | After your Abdominoplasty, the stretch marks that are |
| these complications after a Tummy Tuck procedure | | | | now above your navel will be repositioned well below it |
| may suffer from more prominent scarring. Surgical | | | | and therefore much less objectionable; however, not all |
| revision is often an option for patients who are | | | | will be gone. |
| unhappy with their Tummy Tuck surgery results | | | | 74) Is there a surgery that can completely remove |
| because of slow healing. | | | | severe stretch marks? If so, where can I get this |
| Many factors can slow the body’s natural | | | | done? |
| healing process. Exposure to cigarette smoke | | | | No. There is no laser or any other procedure that |
| decreases the size of the blood vessels in your skin. | | | | allows for complete removal of stretch marks. If they |
| Larger blood vessels allow for better circulation of | | | | are on the abdomen and a Tummy Tuck is otherwise |
| oxygen to your skin cells. The cells of a | | | | needed, many can be removed in this manner. |
| smoker’s skin are sluggish to heal because they | | | | 75) What is the best non-surgical way to get rid of |
| are slightly more oxygen starved than the skin cells of | | | | deep stretch marks caused by rapid weight gain during |
| a non-smoker. The presence of infection can also | | | | pregnancy? |
| slow healing because it diverts the body’s | | | | If the stretch marks are red, they can be reduced with |
| immune resources away from closing your incisions. | | | | a laser. They tend to progress to white anyway and |
| Carefully follow all pre- and post-operative instructions | | | | these are very poorly treated by laser, DermaPeel, |
| that you receive from your doctor and inform your | | | | dermabrasion, etc. If you have a lot of excess skin, a |
| doctor of your medical history, any medications you | | | | tummy tuck procedure can be performed to surgically |
| are taking, and the level of physical exertion that you | | | | remove the stretch marks. All other treatments may |
| are accustomed to. After the surgery has been | | | | improve deep stretch marks by 10% to 15% at best. |
| performed, contact your doctor immediately if you | | | | 76) I also have skin which hangs over the sides of my |
| suspect your site of incision may have become | | | | hips. Can a Tummy Tuck fix that too? |
| infected or may not be healing properly. Experiencing | | | | If you have excess skin and fat which hangs over |
| complications after a Tummy Tuck surgery really is | | | | your hips, you should consider the lower body lift |
| rare, and with good patient-surgeon communication, | | | | procedure. The body lift includes an outer thigh lift and |
| most patients enjoy positive surgical results and a | | | | buttock lift, in addition to the tummy tuck. Please see |
| smooth recovery process. | | | | those sections on Cosmetic Harmony’s website |
| Other Medical Problems | | | | ( for photos and more information. |
| It’s a good idea to discuss your plan to undergo | | | | 77) Can sagging skin on upper thighs be corrected at |
| Tummy Tuck surgery with your personal physician or | | | | the same time as tummy tuck? |
| family doctor if you haven’t already. Any | | | | Absolutely, both the abdomen and the thighs can be |
| medical problems that you have should be taken into | | | | addressed during the same operation. However, this is |
| careful account by your family physician and your | | | | a rather lengthy surgery and patients must be in |
| cosmetic surgeon before Abdominoplasty surgery. | | | | excellent health to withstand both operations at once. |
| Your cosmetic surgeon will also take your complete | | | | 78) Will my waist line be affected by a Tummy Tuck |
| medical history and conduct a thorough physical | | | | procedure? |
| examination as a part of your pre-operative | | | | Yes. As an added benefit of the tummy tuck, not only |
| preparation. Because of the risk of infection, should | | | | will the abdominal region be firmer and flatter, but the |
| you develop a cold, flu, or other temporary illness, your | | | | waist will be smaller as well. |
| surgery will most likely be postponed. | | | | 79) I have become increasing distressed about my |
| Medications | | | | burgeoning breast size. I would also like to have a |
| Be sure to tell your surgeon about any and all | | | | waist again. Can I have a breast and Tummy Tuck |
| medications or herbal supplements that you’re | | | | procedure? |
| taking. Many medicines and even vitamins that are | | | | Yes, you can have both cosmetic surgeries |
| normally good for your body may be unhealthy for a | | | | performed; however, it’s recommended that if |
| person who is about to undergo surgery. Your doctor | | | | the Tummy Tuck is a circumferential or 360 Tummy |
| will tell you to discontinue the use of any substances | | | | Tuck, the surgeries will not be conducted at the same |
| that may decrease your body’s ability to | | | | time, but split into two surgeries ranging a few months |
| recover from surgery two weeks before your tummy | | | | apart. |
| tuck. As noted previously, Vitamin E can interfere with | | | | 80) Is Abdominoplasty a good way to lose weight? |
| the body’s blood clotting response, causing | | | | |