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If you have loose or sagging
abdominal wall skin and weak muscles from multiple pregnancies or
prior surgery and you desire a smoother, flatter abdomen, then you
may be a candidate for an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck.
Here at
the Plastic Surgery Center
this procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under
local anesthesia with IV sedation by our
board-certified
anesthesiologist. Occasionally, it may be performed under general
anesthesia at the hospital.
There are several different procedures: a mini-abdominoplasty
has the shortest scar and tightens the lower abdominal wall skin
only. The standard abdominoplasty has a scar that goes from hip
to hip and tightens all of the abdominal wall skin, and the extended abdominoplasty scar extends around the flanks on to the lower
back and tightens the abdomen and the flanks (love handles).
This procedure is one of the more uncomfortable plastic surgery
procedures with one to three days of hospitalization or skilled
nursing care indicated for an extensive procedure (outpatient
day surgery is usually recommended). Light activity is comfortable
in 10-20 days, but sports will not be comfortable for about six weeks.
Occasionally, if the abdominoplasty is being performed for medical
reasons, the procedure may be partially covered by insurance.
However, the patient is responsible for payment.
The specific risks for each patient can be determined only at
the time of consultation; all surgical procedures have some degree
of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome may
occur occasionally but major complications are unusual.
Click here
for more before-and-after Tummy Tuck photos.
Visit our
plastic /
cosmetic surgery
office located in
Portland, Maine (ME).
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