All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
Risks are less when this surgery is done by a qualified plastic surgeon
trained and familiar with this procedure like Dr. Bermant. Postoperative
complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur.
Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong
your hospital stay. Blood clots can form in the legs during immobilization
and break free to go to the lungs. You can minimize the risk of blood
clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.
Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers have an increased risk of tissue loss and delayed healing. Stopping nicotine use and smoking several weeks before and several weeks after surgery cleans the body and improves the chance of an uneventful recovery.
There are often areas of the abdominal skin that will be numb after surgery. Nerves to the lower parts of the abdominal wall are divided when redraping the skin. Upper abdominal and nerves on the sides (lateral wall) can be stretched during this tissue adjustment and temporarily result in numb regions. Although there is some risk for permanent diminished sensation, almost all patients regain most or all of their feeling.
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| Photo Before Tummy Tuck Surgery | Photo 4 Weeks After Tummy Tuck Surgery | Photo 11 Months After Surgery |
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Skin redraped during surgery can leave temporary distortions that tend to even out over the next several months. Residual distortions may be addressed with suction lipectomy or tissue excisions. If there is major skin shift during surgery, the belly button shape can change.
Dr. Bermant is concerned about his patients and provides extensive education to make surgical sculpture as uneventful as possible. You can reduce your risks of complications by closely following his instructions before and after surgery. Timing for return to physical activity and work depends on what your anatomic problems are and what surgery is done.
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Before tummy tuck surgery and 5 months after
Preparing for your surgery
Our office will give you specific instructions how to prepare for surgery, including
guidelines for eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain
vitamins and medications. If you are a nicotine user (smoker or other) you
will need to quit as least two weeks before your surgery and not resume for
two weeks after surgery. Avoid tanning before surgery, especially to your abdomen.
Do not go on a severe diet before surgery. Both over sun exposure and overly
strict diets can impair wound healing.
If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, let us know so we can evaluate you. This includes a skin inflammation or infection. Your surgery will probably need to be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home or to your hotel room after your surgery. Plan your recovery time at home. Setting up your bed with extra pillows or padding behind the back and knees will keep tension minimal on the abdominal repair. Having someone to help you around the house for a few days makes things much easier. Sitting up is usually the hardest. It is usually the first few degrees of bending getting up that takes the most effort. That extra hand pushing behind your back can be a real help. Get your shopping for groceries and other items done before surgery.
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Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty |
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