Tummy Tuck – Ohio – Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery

• What is a mini-tummy-tuck?
• Why Should I have a full tummy-tuck?
• Should I have a mini- or a full tummy-tuck?
• Why do some scars go all the way around and some stop in the front?
• Tummy Tuck Risks
• What happens if I get pregnant after a tummy-tuck?
• Do I need a tummy-tuck or liposuction?
• Do I need both liposuction AND a tummy-tuck?

Skin has a limit to how much it can stretch and still return to normal. When it stretches beyond that point, exercise and diet are not effective in returning your body to its original shape and firmness. The most effective method of dealing with this condition is to undergo a tummy tuck. Columbus, Ohio plastic surgeon Dr. Bivik Shah can perform this procedure in order to give you the smooth, firm abdomen you have always dreamed of!

There are several reasons why someone may choose to have tummy tuck, including loose or excess skin resulting from weight loss, liposuction, or pregnancy. Tummy tuck corrects these conditions by removing loose, sagging skin and excess fat from the middle and lower abdomen.

Tummy tuck begins with an incision made from hipbone to hipbone, creating a skin flap. Next, the skin is separated from the abdominal muscles, which are then tightened, providing a firmer abdomen and a narrower waistline. Once the muscles are stitched into place, the skin flap is folded down and the extra skin is removed. Lastly, the incision is stitched closed and a dressing is applied. The tummy tuck procedure can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on how much work is needed. The most common side effects of tummy tuck are bruising and swelling, but they usually subside within 10 days.

The tummy tuck procedure will result in a scar, but it is located below the bikini line so it is as inconspicuous as possible. The results of a tummy tuck from Columbus, Ohio plastic surgeon Dr. Shah are long lasting if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly, so you can keep your toned abs for years to come!

What is a mini-tummy-tuck?

A mini-tummy-tuck is a smaller version of a tummy-tuck. The recovery is less then tummy-tuck, the incision is less, and the surgery takes less time. This also means that a mini-tummy-tuck will do less. Normally, in a full tummy-tuck, all of the skin from just above the belly button to the groin hairline is removed. In mini-tummy-tuck, about half of that skin is removed by Dr. Shah, in Columbus, Ohio. This is perfect for those who have a small amount skin. Also, in a mini-tuck, there is very little shaping performed, no muscle tightening, and belly button is not changed.

Why Should I have a full tummy-tuck?

Dr. Shah at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery prides himself in have the tightest bellies after a tummy-tuck. A tummy-tuck will remove all of the stretch marks from the belly button to your groin hairline, Dr. Shah will tighten your muscles, remove all of the skin from your belly button to your hairline, tighten your groin, and shape your abdomen into an hour glass as much as possible.

Should I have a mini- or a full tummy-tuck?

This is a very common question that we get at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery in Ohio. During the consultation with Dr. Bivik Shah at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery in Ohio, we will discuss both of these options in detail. First, Dr. Shah will discuss the operation, the risks, and benefits. Then, he will examine your belly. This will allow Dr. Shah in Ohio to help you decide the best option for you. If you have a lot of extra skin, stretch marks, loose muscles, or poor shape and would like to transform your belly into a sculpted, tight, firm, and smooth belly, a tummy-tuck is the best option for you. If you have a belly that only needs a little improvement, then a mini-tummy-tuck would be the best option for you.

Why do some scars go all the way around and some stop in the front?

Dr. Bivik Shah at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery performs all types of tummy-tucks, with shorter scars and longer scars. The choice is yours! Some people have a lot of extra skin, and some have only a moderate amount. When you meet with Dr. Shah, he will examine you, and determine how much extra skin you have. After that Dr. Shah at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery in Ohio, will discuss in depth with you, how long your scar would be. You will have the choice of stopping the scar down low and in the front, or you can take the scar a little longer. If you have a moderate amount of extra skin, then the shorter scar, down low and in front is all that you need! If you have a lot of extra skin then you may need to have the longer scar around the sides to remove all of the extra skin from the sides, or you can have the shorter scar and it may not remove all of the extra skin on the sides - of course the front will be as firm and tight as possible!

Tummy Tuck Risks

Just like any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with tummy tuck. These generally include the usual dangers of bleeding, infection, and undergoing anesthesia. In very rare cases, an infection may become severe enough to warrant a return trip to the hospital. Tummy tuck is a very safe procedure and, when performed by properly trained individuals, it is an excellent way to look the way you desire. We know it's a lot of information but, remember, it is an important decision that will probably be with you for the rest of your life. The above points are only rough guidelines and may or may not apply to you. A personal consultation with Dr. Shah about tummy tuck at his Ohio office in Columbus is the best way to get the information that is exactly right for you. We hope this information has been helpful in answering your questions. If you do have further questions about tummy tuck, contact the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery today.

What happens if I get pregnant after a tummy-tuck?

There are two things to keep in mind if you have a tummy tuck at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery, in Ohio. The first is will there be any effect on my baby? Second, how will I look? If you have a Tummy Tuck plastic surgery procedure by Dr. Bivik Shah, there will be no negative effect from the tummy-tuck on the child. That is, your uterus and child will develop normally. After any plastic surgery, especially a tummy-tuck, you want the results to last. That is why it is very normal to wonder what will pregnancy do to your belly. It depends. If you gain the normal amount of weight – 20 – 25 pounds, then you will see very small changes because your skin will be able to bounce back much easier. If you gain much more than, that is when you would see significant changes to the look of your belly.

Do I need a tummy-tuck or liposuction?

Like you, many of Dr. Bivik Shah’s patients have a belly that they are just not confident about.  This can be because of a lack of shape to the tummy, a little extra fullness, some loose skin, or stretch marks.  Dr. Shah will use his experience and knowledge to examine your belly and help you choose the best option for you.  If your goals are to have some fat removed with a thinner or “smaller” belly, then usually liposuction is a better option for you.  If you have stretch marks, loose skin, or a “little pouch” in the lower half of your belly, then a tummy-tuck would be a better option.  In general, liposuction will do a wonderful job at removing fat, however, it will not tighten the skin, tighten the muscles, or shape the belly into an hour glass.  A Tummy-tuck will remove all of the skin, the stretch marks, and the fat under the skin from the belly button to your groin hairline.

Do I need both liposuction AND a tummy-tuck?

You may want the benefits of both liposuction (smaller belly, less fat, and better definition of your shape) and a tummy-tuck (removal of stretch marks, a much tighter, flatter belly, and your muscles brought back together).  To achieve this, you can have both

Not everyone needs the cut in the middle.  It is only for people with a tremendous amount of loose skin.  When you lose a significant amount of weight, you will have excess skin from side to side and top to bottom.  The standard tummy-tuck incision will remove the extra skin from top to bottom.  Some people will also have extra skin from side to side and then the only way to remove that is to have an incision going up and down.  This is completely up to you whether or not you want that incision.  Usually, the people that have had lap band surgery, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, or have lost weight on their own, do not want the up and down incision, which is perfectly good.