Tummy Tuck
Harold Kaplan, MD, FACS
Everyone wants a smooth stomach. Across the country, gyms are filled with men and women doing
crunches and hard cardio to lose that extra “love” around their midsection. However, the stomach area is often the most troublesome area of the body to flatten through targeted exercise and diet alone. Sometimes these conditions are inherited and as much exercise you do won’t get rid of the pouch.
When people tire at these attempts for targeted
weight loss, abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck, is a good option. This aesthetic plastic surgery procedure removes unwanted fat, loose skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck can remove bulges in the midsection, flattening a protruding belly. These procedures are also effective in tightening muscles that have been weakened by pregnancy. Also, the procedure can reduce the appearance of
stretch marks, particularly those found below the navel.
The procedure is simple. A horizontal incision is made on or just above the pubic area. The size of the incision will depend on how much skin will be removed. Though Harold Kaplan, MD, FACS will try to keep the incision as discreet as possible, this may not be possible. Talk to Harold Kaplan, MD, FACS before the surgery so you can best determine the area and contour of this incision.
If a patient has loose skin above the navel, a second incision around the navel can be made above the navel so that the loose can be pulled down. This way the excess abdominal skin can be removed while allowing the navel to remain in the same place. Sutures may also be used to tighten underlying abdominal.
The tummy tuck procedure does have potential risks, as do all surgeries. The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Post-surgical complications such as blood clots and infections are also a possibility, though they are rare. These of course, could slow down healing and have other side effects. Because of improvements in technology and the fact that more people are getting tummy tucks, these
surgical complications are uncommon. However, these risks can be significantly reduced by choosing a qualified surgeon. The tummy tuck procedure can be customized to each patient's individual goals and may be performed in conjunction with a liposuction, breast augmentation, or other lift procedure.
The decision to undergo tummy tuck should not be made casually. The first important step to making an informed decision is getting enough information from a trusted source. Discuss your particular needs and goals by scheduling a personal consultation with Harold Kaplan, MD, FACS, a board-accredited, experienced plastic surgeon, at (310) 378-3444.
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