A Tummy Tuck is recommended for patients with excess or redundant abdominal skin and/or laxity of abdominal muscles. This is usually seen among women who have undergone multiple pregnancies or patients with massive weight loss after bariatric surgery. To be a good candidate for this procedure, patients must be physically healthy with a stable weight, have realistic expectations, do not smoke, and do not have any uncontrolled medical illnesses. The procedure cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located in areas of excess skin that will be excised or generally at those treated areas below the belly button.

The procedure is done under general anesthesia or regional depending on the area involve. This is done in an outpatient or hospital facility. but its best for patients to be admitted for a day or two so that so that patients may rest immediately after surgery.

After Surgery:
After the procedure, patients will have pressure dressing or garment at the treated area to help control the swelling. Patients are advised that there will be swelling, tightness, minimal pain or discomfort and numbness. However, these conditions are transient and resolve spontaneously during the next several weeks.

For Better Healing:
To improve healing and minimize swelling, patients are advise to avoid the following for 2 to 3 weeks : smoking, alcoholic beverages, aspirin, NSAID’s like mefenamic acids, vitamin E supplement, steroids, herbal tea or herbal medications.