Tummy Tuck: What is a tummy tuck?
THE SURGERY
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes 2 ½ hours, depending on the extent of correction required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
- “My husband said that my stomach did not bother him but he was not wearing it!”
Most commonly, Dr. Grado will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.
Next, Dr. Grado separates the skin from the abdominal wall up to the level of your ribs. This allows exposure of the separated muscles and allows for the greatest amount of skin tightening. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall.
Extra skin is then removed and the remaining skin is stretched down with a new opening made for your navel. Sutures are used to hold it in place. Generally, the remaining wound is closed with sutures that do not need to be removed. Drains are placed and exit through separate sites. We will show you how to care for the drain.