Baton Rouge Tummy Tuck and Loose Skin Removal Information
A firmer and well-toned abdomen is something that all women strive for through exercise. An Abdominoplasty procedure, also known as a Tummy Tuck, is a cosmetic procedure that is popular especially amongst new mothers or women who have lost a significant amount of weight and as a result, have excess skin, causing wrinkles. A Tummy Tuck can easily remove any excess fat or skin around the tummy area to create a more toned abdominal profile.
If you’re feeling self conscious about your loose or sagging tummy, chances are you have trouble feeling confident about yourself. This could also lead to you not wearing many of the outfits you liked and looked good in once. Having a tummy that is firm and flat can make a major difference to how you feel, and when you find that it is not going to be achieved through exercise or a special diet, then a tummy tuck by Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon Dr. Theunissen can be just the answer you are looking for.
There are several causes to require a Tummy Tuck. Of the most common it includes:
- Heredity Conditions
- Aging with deterioration of skin elasticity
- Pregnancy
- Large fluctuations in weight gain and loss
In order to improve the appearance of the abdomen, Theunissen Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Baton Rouge performs Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) to help women regain more firm and youthful appearing stomach by removing excess skin and tissue from the stomach.
Ideal Candidates for a Tummy Tuck Procedure with Dr. Theunissen:
- Want younger, more firm looking stomach
- Weight loss or muscles loss has left stomach skin sagging
- Irritated by the appearance of your stomach
Tummy Tuck Overview
Also referred to as an abdominoplasty, a ‘tummy tuck’ is a cosmetic surgery procedure to remove excessive fat and skin, as well as restore weakened muscles towards a firmer and smoother abdomen. Thanks to our amazing culinary culture in the south, this is an extremely common procedure for our physicians in the Baton Rouge and the crescent city areas. During abdominoplasty, removal of excessive fat and skin is focuses on the middle and lower sections of the abdomen, with the goal being to tighten both the lower and upper belly.
A tummy tuck is different from liposuction, which we will get to shortly. Individuals with sagging or loose abdominal tissues after pregnancy or major weight loss are common candidates for abdominoplasty. If you’re looking to get a tummy tuck done in Baton Rouge, Dr. Taylor Theunissen is an experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon who has helped dozens of people achieve a firmer tummy.
The Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and Liposuction
Most individuals looking for a tummy tuck in Baton Rouge often have difficulties choosing between this procedure and liposuction. While liposuction is a great procedure that requires minimal recovery period and effectively removes pockets of fat, it does not remove excess skin. For patients who need a little more results than liposuction can deliver, a tummy tuck is usually the best choice. The con is that tummy tucks are quite more invasive compared to liposuction, and do require a recovery period (from a few weeks to a few months). On the pro side, they effectively tighten abdominal muscles and greatly reduce that hated tummy bulge and sagging skin. Whichever cosmetic surgeon in Baton Rouge you choose, it is important to talk about the pros and cons of each procedure during your consultation or even before.
In some cases, tummy tuck, liposuction and other procedures such as breast augmentation, labiaplasty, and vaginoplasty are performed at the same time in what is usually referred to as mommy makeover. It should be noted that our plastic surgery clinic now performs non-invasive vaginoplasty, tightening of the vagina, with ThermiVa.
Contraindications, medical reasons why some Louisianan’s should not opt for a tummy tuck:
- Ailments of the heart, or acute respiratory system disorders
- Any acute illness
- Dependent diabetes (Mellitus)
- Current or forthcoming pregnancy (within the next 12 months)
- Allergy
- Certain medications
- Skin disorders such as fungal infections, dermatitis, psoriasis
What a tummy tuck won't do
- While a tummy tuck is a great procedure for people looking to get rid of a loose or sagging belly, it won’t substitute weight loss or any appropriate exercise program. The results of a tummy tuck procedure are permanent, but any significant changes in your weight can impact the positive outcome. For this reason, people who are planning significant weight loss, or women who might be considering future pregnancies are usually advised to postpone the procedure. It’s also important to note that a tummy tuck does not correct stretch marks. However, these can be improved if they’re situated on the section of excess skin that will be excised.
Am I the right candidate?
- You’re a suitable tummy tuck candidate if:
+ You have stable weight and are physically healthy
+ You’re a non-smoker
+ You have realistic expectations about the outcomes
+ You’re bothered by the current appearance of your abdomen
+ Your anterior abdominal wall muscles are weak
- A significant number of women find it necessary to undergo this procedure following childbirth. However, keep in mind that this is a highly individualized cosmetic surgery. You should take your time to think about it. If you’re going to go for it, it should be for yourself, not to fulfill anyone else’s desires.
How to Prepare for Your Tummy Tuck
The first step entails visiting your selected cosmetic surgeon for a consultation. During this meeting, both you and your surgeon discuss various aspects of the operation, as well as your goals and expectations. Usually, there are two options for the procedure:
During a complete tummy tuck, the surgeon operates on your abdomen from hipbone to hipbone, contouring skin, muscle and tissue as is needed. This surgery usually involves the belly button and might need drainage of fluid under your skin using tubes for a couple of days.
Partial abdominoplasty
Also referred to as mini-abdominoplasties, these kinds of operation are commonly done on people whose fat deposits are located below the navel. The surgeon usually does not touch your belly button, and the procedure takes much less time (about 1-2 hours).
Baton Rouge plastic surgeons follow the following steps while conducting a tummy tuck procedure:
Procedure Steps for a Tummy Tuck
Step 1 – Anesthesia
General anesthesia or intravenous sedation is administered to ensure your comfort during the operation. Your cosmetic surgeon recommends the best choice of anesthesia for you.
Step 2 – Incision
Your surgeon will make a horizontally-oriented incision between your pubic hairline and your belly button. The length and shape of this incision is dependent on the amount of excessive skin you have. Once the surgeon lifts the skin, repair of the underlying abdominal muscles is done. Depending, a second incision around your navel might be necessary to extract excessive skin from your upper abdomen.
Step 3 – Closing the Incision
Once all work has been done, the cosmetic surgeon works to close incisions using sutures, tapes, clips or skin adhesives.
Step 4 – See the results
Following the procedure, you should have a firmer, flatter abdominal contour that’s more proportionate to your body type and weight.
Tummy Tuck Prices Baton Rouge
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a tummy tuck procedure was $5,502 in 2015.
This cost did not factor in anesthesia, operating room facilities and related expenses. Costs can vary widely from one specialist to the other, sometimes going down to $4,000 and sometimes up to $13,000. More experienced surgeons tend to charge more. The type of procedure performed by the surgeon and the geographic location of the cosmetic practice might also impact the price. The majority of health insurance plans do not cover tummy tuck or complications related to it. However, some cosmetic surgeons do offer financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Generally, how much you pay for your abdominoplasty procedure is a sum total of the following fees:
- Anesthesia expenses
- Surgical facility (hospital) costs
- Medical fees
- Prescription medicine
- Post-surgery garments
- Surgeon’s fee
While choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in Baton Rouge or whichever other area, take into consideration their experience. You should settle for a professional you feel comfortable with. This is just as important as the total cost of the procedure.
Possible Complications Following a Baton Rouge Tummy Tuck
Possible complications after abdominoplasty procedure include bleeding, build-up of serous fluid, and ugly after-surgery seams. The treating surgeon is usually equipped to overcome these complications. After the procedure, bed rest is usually required for a day or two. The surgeon may also install a drainage apparatus to remove fluid, and provide a special compression garment. To avoid complications, it’s important that you strictly adhere to the recovery instructions provided by your plastic surgeon.
Baton Rouge Tummy Tuck Recovery
Following your tummy tuck, you need to commit time for recovery. About 2 days of hospital stay are necessary, and 3-4 weeks of at-home recovery before you return to a normal daily routine. It might take up to 90 days (sometimes even more) before your scars heal completely. During this time, you’ll be required to wear a compression garment.
Within the first few days following the procedure, you’re likely to experience pain and numbness in the lower abdominal area. Tissue fluid or even blood might accumulate in the zone of interference. Your cosmetic surgeon removes these using surgical punctures.
Returning to normal daily life
After a tummy tuck, most people tend to love the results. However, it might take months following the surgery for you to feel like your normal self again. A good diet and exercise thereafter can also help maintain the good results of your abdominoplasty.
Dr. Theunissen’s Approach
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Theunissen, is the one of the leading cosmetic surgeons in Louisiana. The following are a few of the surgical options that are available for patients.
Full Tummy Tuck
During a full tummy tuck procedure an incision is made from one side of the hip to other side just above the pubic area. The horizontal incision results in a scar line which can be easily hidden by wearing undergarments. The technique is used in those women who have many skin folds after multiple pregnancies. The full tummy tuck technique allows the surgeon to gain access to a large portion of the abdomen in order to reposition the belly button to make the appearance more natural. In some cases, liposuction is also performed in order to remove any fat from the skin tightening portion, giving it a firmer, more toned appearance.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Also called a Brazilian Tummy Tuck, this is an alternative to the more traditional technique. Patients need to be in restively good shape already in order to go through this procedure, which is why it is called the mini tummy tuck. Unlike the full tummy tuck, where the belly button needs to be rearranged to give a more natural appearance, in the mini tummy tuck, the belly button is left unaffected and also, the incision that is made is much smaller in comparison to the full tummy tuck. During this procedure, liposuction may also be used to remove any excess fat and the loosened skin is either pulled tight or removed altogether.
Extended Tummy Tuck
In some cases there is need for major skin tightening and body contouring for the abdomen to return to a firmer, more toned state. In these cases, an extended tummy tuck is necessary. The technique was developed after some patients had noted that folds of the skin surrounding the abdomen were noticeable even after getting a full tummy tuck. In this procedure the incision can extend around the navel, flank and lower back area depending on the required results. Liposuction is also used and excess skin is trimmed and then tightened, before repositioning the belly button to provide more natural results.
During & After Surgery
Plan Your Procedure
The cost for a tummy tuck depends on a variety of factors, primarily on the technique recommended that will provide the best result of the patient’s condition. The cost of a tummy tuck is usually between $5,500 – $10,000. Insurance does not cover a tummy tuck/abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck is an outpatient procedure with the surgery time of between 2 – 4.5 hours and a recovery time of 2 – 4 weeks. Dr. Theunissen performs Tummy Tucks in Baton Rouge in his state-of-the-art, In-Office O.R., with the support of experienced and licensed staff. This includes a full-time anesthesiologist to ensure optimal care for each patient.
Average Cost
Standard: $7,900
Mini: $5,500
Circumferential: $10,000
Procedure Time
2 – 4.5 Hours
Recovery Time
2 – 4 Weeks
Recovery Location
Outpatient
Insurance
Insurance Does Not Cover Abdominioplasty
Frequently Asked Questions
Abdominioplasty or liposuction?
Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon Dr. Theunissen reserves tummy tucks for those patients who have extremely stretched skin in their lower abdomen as a result of losing excess amount of weight after being obese or after multiple pregnancies. A Lipo or Liposuction is a procedure which is used to remove fat around the area of the abdomen in those people who still have a healthy skin tone. During the initial consultation, a thorough examination and assessment will be carried out which will provide the surgeon and the patient with the details they need to make a more informed decision.
Will there be any scarring?
Some scarring is expected whenever anyone goes under the knife and incisions are made. While every effort is made to make sure that the incisions are thin and can be easily concealed, there are some post surgery care procedures which is offered courtesy of Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon Dr. Theunissen, and his team to help patients get rid of those scars. Apart from their assistance, patients are also advised to avoid exposure to the sun at least during the first year to protect them from any discoloration. But, at the end of the day, the benefits of having a tummy tuck far outweigh the appearance of some barely visible scars.
Pregnancy after tummy tuck?
Those women who decide to have more children should delay the tummy tuck procedure until after their pregnancy, since the stretch marks and weight gain during the pregnancy will have a negative impact on the results of the tummy tuck. Furthermore, it is not unheard of for women to have another tummy tuck with a breast augmentation and a lift after childbirth even if they have gone through the procedure before.
How long until I can work or perform strenuous activities?
A tummy tuck usually takes between 10-14 days to recover, but often times it takes as much as 2-4 weeks. For a full recovery – it is recommended to wait at minimum of 6 weeks before performing strenuous activities such as working out, lifting heavy objects, or high cardio exercises.
