What happens during a tummy tuck?

• A tummy tuck (also known as “abdominoplasty”) is surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. There are different types of tummy tucks – your doctor can help you decide which one is right for you:
• The full tummy tuck. This is a good option for patients who have lost a lot of weight. A long incision is made across the lower abdomen and a second incision is made around the belly button. The belly button is repositioned and the skin and muscles are tightened.
• The mini tummy tuck. This is known as a “mini” tummy tuck because the belly button is not repositioned, the scar is shorter, and the recovery time is quicker than it is with a full tummy tuck.
• Endoscopic-assisted tummy tuck. This procedure uses smaller incisions (and therefore there is minimal scarring) and is a good option for those who still have fairly tight abdominal skin.

Who should get a tummy tuck?

Patients considering a tummy tuck should understand that it is not a substitute for weight loss, and they should also have realistic expectations about what the outcome will be. You should be in good overall health, and you should know that after the surgery you will have to live a healthy lifestyle to maintain your tummy tuck results, with exercise and a healthy diet.

That extra bit of fat around the waist can be very difficult to get rid of – but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it! Contact the office of Dr. Gary J. Price in New Haven or Fairfield County, CT, for a tummy tuck consultation. Call (203) 453-6635 for an appointment today!

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You’ve tried everything to get rid of that tummy pooch, but crunches every day and eating nothing but celery doesn’t seem to be doing the trick. Maybe you are trying to decide if you should go the plastic surgery route to tone your tummy, but a

How is a mini-tummy tuck different from a full tummy tuck?

A mini-tummy tuck is often recommended for patients with excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen. Full tummy tucks are typically recommended for patients with excess skin and fat above the belly button. 

It is less invasive than a full tummy tuck – it leaves a smaller scar, and because a mini-tummy tuck tones the lower abdomen, your belly button won’t have to be repositioned as it is during a full tummy tuck. A mini-tummy tuck also takes less time than a full tummy tuck (2 hours as opposed to around 5 hours), and it will also end up costing less. 

How does the doctor decide if I can have a mini-tummy tuck?

Your doctor will take a look at where your skin and fat are located, and how much excess skin and fat you have in order to advise you on which type of tuck you should have. 

You should be healthy and at a stable weight and dedicated to staying in good health with diet and exercise. You should also have realistic expectations as to what a tummy tuck will accomplish. You should also know that, although a mini-tummy tuck is less invasive than a full tummy tuck, it will still take some time to recover. You will be sore and swollen for a few days after the procedure, and you should expect to take about a week off of work to heal. 

A mini-tummy tuck is a great way to get rid of that extra bit of fat that just won’t seem to go away. Contact Dr. Gary J. Price in New Haven and Fairfield County, CT, to see if a mini-tummy tuck might be right for you. Call (203) 453-6635 for an appointment today!

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• You’ve tried several diet and exercise programs to lose weight, but you’re still dealing with an abdominal pooch that won’t go away.
• Your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and sagging after pregnancy. If you plan on getting pregnant again, you should consider postponing a tummy tuck until you’re done having children as future pregnancies can separate the abdominal muscles and undo the work done during surgery.
• You’ve lost a significant amount of weight and have loose, excess skin hanging around your belly like an apron.
• If you are planning to lose weight, you may want to wait to have surgery. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure.
• You’ve always been in good shape but you still have a belly that sticks out.

Different types of tummy tuck

A full tummy tuck involves one long incision made across the lower abdomen and a second incision made around the belly button. Skin and muscle from the chest down to the pubic area are tightened and the belly button is repositioned. Liposuction may be used to enhance the result.

A mini tummy tuck leaves a smaller scar and doesn’t require relocation of the belly button. This surgery is only for patients who need the skin of the lower abdomen tightened. Liposuction may be done as well.

Another technique is an endoscopic-assisted tummy tuck. This minimally invasive procedure consists of a tiny camera inserted through small incisions. It is best for patients who have fairly tight abdominal skin but excess fat in the abdomen and weak lower abdominal muscles.

If you’re interested in learning more about tummy tuck and which procedure may be best for you, call (203) 453-6635 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Price.

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You understand this is not a substitute for weight loss. A good candidate is in good overall health, has tried diet and exercise to reduce the area, and is prepared to follow a healthy diet and exercise program after surgery to maintain results.

You’ve experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy can stretch and separate abdominal muscles and stretch the skin, creating an “apron” of excess skin around the abdomen. A tummy tuck removes the excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens applicable abdominal muscles as well. If you’re planning on having more children, you may want to hold off on having a tummy tuck as it can negatively affect the results, requiring further surgery.

You’ve lost a significant amount of weight or had weight loss surgery. Men and women turn to a tummy tuck to remove the loose skin and stubborn fat pockets that diet and exercise alone can’t correct. Often, this is done for functional reasons as well, as the apron of skin hanging below the belly can present mobility problems and rashes or other concerns.

You’re addressing other concerns. A tummy tuck, liposuction and breast augmentation are part of the popular “Mommy Makeover” surgery to help women improve the appearance of their breasts, abdominal and other areas.

With a healthy lifestyle, the results from a tummy tuck surgery can last for many years. A consultation with Dr. Price will help you determine whether this popular procedure is right for you. To learn more about procedures that can help you achieve your desired results, call (203) 453-6635 to set up a consultation with Dr. Price.

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Myth 1: Tummy Tucks are a weight loss procedure

One of the most common myths that we hear about tummy tucks is that they are a weight loss procedure, but that’s not the case. A tummy tuck is primarily used to help get rid of and tighten loose skin. Although we may remove a small amount of fat at the same time, it’s definitely not a procedure that we can even consider to be for weight loss.

Myth 2: The Scars Are Scary

Yes, scars are scary, but having scarring from a tummy tuck doesn’t have to be. In fact, one of the things that Dr. Price prides himself on is the ability to hide the scar so that they can be covered by underwear or a bikini bottom. Additionally, we also encourage our patients to follow scar care treatment after surgery to help minimize the appearance and make it look a lot more subtle.

Myth 3: It’s not safe to get pregnant after a tummy tuck

We understand that life happens. If you get pregnant after undergoing a tummy tuck, it won’t be harmful to you or your baby, but it’s not something we recommend. Although a tummy tuck is a safe procedure and won’t affect your pregnancy, your skin will stretch out again, and you will probably need another surgery after you have your baby.

Are you ready to get the abs that you’ve been wanting? If so, contact our Guilford office today and call us at (203) 453-6635.

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Will My Tummy Tuck Scar Be Noticeable?

One of Dr. Price’s goals when he performs a tummy tuck is to make the incisions low enough that you can cover it with a bikini or panties. Depending on how much excess skin that you have, Dr. Price will determine exactly how low he can make the incision while still giving you the best surgical results.

Will I Be Able to Get Pregnant After Abdominoplasty?

Yes, although we don’t encourage patients to get an abdominoplasty until they are done having children because pregnancy may affect your results. However, if you do decide to get pregnant later on or if you receive a nice surprise, then your tummy tuck shouldn’t have any sort of effect on your pregnancy.

How Long Do Tummy Tuck Results Last?

How long a tummy tuck lasts will be determined by the individual, their lifestyle, and their age. Because loose skin is a common part of the aging process, the more you age, the more likely you are to experience this.

Schedule a Consultation

If you feel like you want to learn more about tummy tuck surgery and whether or not it’s the right procedure for you, schedule your consultation at our Guildford office and call us today at (203) 453-6635.

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During a tummy tuck, Dr. Gary J. Price lifts and tightens the skin around the abdomen that has lost elasticity due to things either like extreme weight loss or pregnancy. As one of the most important parts of the process, a healthy recovery is critical to your surgical success. And although we will send you home with a detailed recovery pamphlet, let’s review three helpful tips.

Tip #1: Manage Your Expectations

One of the best things you can do when going into surgery and all the way through recover is to manage your expectations. Although you may want to get up and out of the house (or into a bikini) the first day following surgery, you should stay in bed and recover. If you have realistic expectations throughout the process, you will feel better about everything overall.

Tip #2: Rest Trumps Everything

The best thing you can do while you’re in recovery takes time out to rest. You should plan on taking about 1-2 weeks off of work to fully recover from surgery but during that time, make sure that you stay in bed and aren’t busy running errands or chasing kids around. Giving your body enough rest will help speed up your recovery and fight off infection.

Tip #3: Wear Your Compression Garment

If we send you home wearing a compression garment, don’t take it off as soon as you get home. Compression garments are designed to help ease swelling and make sure that your stitches stay in place. Make sure that you wear your compression garment for as long as Dr. Gary J. Price recommends.

If you have any questions or concerns at any time during your recovery process, don’t’ hesitate to give us a call. We are your number one resource throughout this entire process. Want to learn more about tummy tucks? Call us at (203) 453-6635 to schedule an appointment.

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Deciding to have a “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty is a serious decision…one that you have undoubtedly read about, thought about or may have discussed with a relative or friend who has had one of her own.

If you are in good health and are physically fit, you may not have excess fat.

But not even that extra daily work out can improve the widening of your abdominal muscles or the loose, baggy skin that comes with childbirth.

Does being physically fit impact your surgery?

• Being physically fit won’t necessarily shorten a normal recovery time, but the more healthy and fit you are the faster your recovery will be.
• Your body may not actually heal faster than those of a patient who is sedentary and overweight, but you will more likely be back to your normal activities sooner.
• Your physical fitness, emotional stability, positive attitude and having a good support system are all factors that can aid in your recovery from surgery. But be cautious about getting back to ‘working’ those abdominal muscles too soon.
• The healthier you are definitely makes you a ‘better’ surgical candidate.This is especially true for reducing any potential risks of anesthesia and surgery. Additionally, if you are in good cardiovascular shape and close to your ideal body weight, you should recover from your surgery very well.
• Patients who aren’t fit might experience potential side effects or complications that may prolong recovery time.
• You should never exceed your doctor’s guidance in an effort to speed recovery. Your body will heal the way it will heal…and you shouldn’t push harder to make your healing go faster.

Listen to and believe in your unique body – it will tell you when you are pushing yourself too hard following surgery.

Dr. Price loves highly motivated patients who keep themselves in good physical condition.

Call us at (203) 453-6635 for a consultation, today!

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