Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

After pregnancy, weight loss or just plain aging, many people find themselves with excess skin and fat around the belly and decreased strength and tone of the muscles beneath. Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" addresses these problems for both women and men. The result is improved body contour and a smoother shape to the abdomen. During the surgery an incision is made within the "bikini" or "boxer" line under the abdomen; this helps to hide the scar under clothes following the procedure. Excess skin and fat are removed, the muscle beneath is tightened, the skin is redraped to provide a pleasing body shape, and often the belly button is moved to a new position within the newly contoured abdomen. In some cases, a "mini abdominoplasty" can be performed, which affords many of the same results with shorter scars. In other cases, abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction for further fat removal and body contouring. Dr. Maggi will work with you to develop an operative plan that addresses your specific needs.

During your consultation at the Austin Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Maggi will examine you and discuss recommendations for the specific type of abdominoplasty to yield the best results. The procedure is often done as an outpatient with recovery either at a specialized overnight care center or at home, sometimes with a private duty nurse. It is performed under general anesthesia administered by a physician anesthesiologist to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Most patients have very little pain following the surgery as well because long-acting local anesthetic is administered as part of the procedure. Most patients return to work about ten to fourteen days after surgery. Dr. Maggi usually will use drains to remove excess fluid and these drains may be in place for several days following surgery. There may be some bruising for a week or so and some swelling for a few weeks following surgery.