Abdominoplasty in South New Jersey (Tummy Tucks)
Like many people, you've worked hard to eat right and exercise, but your stubborn belly fat just won't go away. Many women want to get rid of stretch marks and excess fat that can occur after pregnancy, while men may be ready to tackle the "beer gut" that has been weighing them down far too long. As we age, the stomach area is one of the most common places to develop excess fat and flabby, drooping skin.
In many cases, diet and exercise simply aren't enough to take care of waistline problems and oftentimes Philadelphia and south New Jersey apatients seek out abdominoplasty (tummy tucks). A tummy tuck involves surgical removal of excess skin or fatty deposits from the abdomen, along with the repositioning of abdominal muscles into a tighter formation. This procedure is designed for those who wish to have a flatter and tighter stomach, and is also helpful in remedying the vertical separation of abdominal muscles known as diastasis, which can occur following pregnancy. For a more flattering body contour overall, many patients also choose to have liposuction in New Jersey along with their tummy tuck.
If you have questions, call 856.872.4158 to schedule an appointment to discuss abdominoplasty with New Jersey cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sorokin, a board-certified plastic surgery specialist at Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery. The office is just a short drive from Philadelphia and many New Jersey towns, including Mt. Laurel, Marlton, Medford, and Berlin. Abdominoplasty surgery offers many patients greater comfort in clothing and a slimmer profile. Request a consultation with Dr. Sorokin today.
Reasons for Considering an Abdominoplasty
Many people in the Tri-State area can benefit from a tummy tuck. Patients with the following symptoms are excellent candidates:
- Continued presence of fat and loose skin in the abdomen area that doesn't respond to diet or exercise
- Excessive accumulation of skin following weight loss
- Loss of skin elasticity or diastases (loose abdominal muscles) due to pregnancy
- Improperly aligned abdominal muscles that need to be readjusted for a more flattering appearance
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Your surgery may last anywhere from one to four hours, depending on the desired look and your unique physiology. To begin the procedure, Dr. Sorokin makes an incision just above the pubic bone area and extends the incision horizontally across the lower abdomen and sometimes around to the back. The skin is then stretched away from the muscle tissue, and excess skin is removed. Abdominal muscle tissue is tightened to provide a firmly-contoured stomach and well-defined waistline. Finally, Dr. Sorokin closes the incision by stitching the skin back into place. Sometimes the procedure requires an additional incision around the navel in order to provide the best results.
Recovery Following Abdominoplasty Surgery
For the first few days after the procedure, your stomach area may be swollen and you may feel some discomfort, which can be controlled by medication. You will have a drain which we will teach you how to use for about a week. Dr. Sorokin uses "pain pumps" on all of his tummy tucks to minimize the pain involved in the procedure. Finally, you will need to wear a support garment over the incision for at least several weeks. Dr. Sorokin will provide you with detailed instructions for showering and changing your bandages. In addition, Dr. Sorokin encourages you to start walking as soon as possible, and normal activities generally can be resumed in two weeks, though heavy exercise should be avoided until you can do it comfortably. The stitches will be removed shortly after your surgery.
It may take up to a month before you can engage in all your usual activities, and your body may need up to a year to completely adapt to the new abdominal configuration. Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three to six months as they heal, but this is normal. After about nine months, your scars should begin to flatten out and lighten in color. Thankfully, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, including bathing suits. With proper diet and exercise you will be able to enjoy the results of your surgery for many years.
Through his extensive training and experience performing tummy tucks, south New Jersey cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sorokin is able to offer you a thinner look and increased comfort. Request a consultation at our office in Cherry Hill, New Jersey to discuss abdominoplasty surgery in detail, or call us at 856.872.4158 to set up an appointment.
