Body Procedures Performed by Seattle Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder » Abdominoplasty a.k.a Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty a.k.a. tummy tuck by Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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Abdominal contouring surgery
Abdominoplasty a.k.a Tummy Tuck according to Seattle Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder
Quick facts:
- Costs: $7000 – $8000 depending on the length of surgery.
- Post-operative pain: quite a bit. Similar to the pain after a C-section (but without the screaming baby).
- Time in compression garment: 3 weeks.
- Time off work or school: 2 – 3 weeks.
- Time off driving the kids to lacrosse: 1 - 2 weeks or once you are off narcotic pain meds.
- Time off the gym: 6 weeks depending on which procedures are done.
- Time off the slopes: 6 weeks.
- Time off the kite board: 8 weeks.
- Time off house work: forever! Just kidding, usually 4-6 weeks.
- How long does it last: forever unless you have another baby and/or significant weight change.
- Patient satisfaction: very, very high
The fine print:
Abdominoplasty is one of my most frequently performed procedures. It is an effective treatment for localized abdominal fat and abdominal laxity. The procedure involves removing the excess skin and fat from the abdomen and also tightening up the abdominal muscles. Many women who are interested in this procedure have had children and/or pelvic surgery that have left them with some abdominal weakness. A few patients will have “borderline” muscle and skin tone and may be candidates for a “mini” abdominoplasty. For patients who have only some excess fat and have good muscle and skin tone, liposuction can be an effective treatment. I would determine which procedure would be best for you at your initial consultation.
I do most of my abdominoplasty procedures in my AAAASF certified Seattle office operating room or at Seattle Surgery Center which is conveniently located next door to my office building. Patients are under a general anesthetic. Almost all patients can go home the day of surgery.
I ask patients to wear a special compression garment (girdle) or abdominal binder for 3 weeks postoperatively. Patients have drains for about a week. The drains look scary but are easy to care for and help prevent excess fluid from collecting under the skin. Patients need to avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks to allow the deeper tissues to heal. Abdominoplasty leaves a hip-to-hip scar. This scar fades with time and can usually be placed to interfere minimally with the selection of swimwear and underwear unless we’re talking string bikinis which are not a common sighting in our cool Western Washington climate.
Mini-abdominoplasty leaves a smaller scar – like a C-section scar above the pubic area.
If patients require only liposuction, those tiny scars can be hidden in the shadow of the navel and the pubic area and sometimes just under the breasts.
Patients with excess intraabdominal fat “belly fat” are usually poor candidates for abdominal contouring surgery. In these patients, most of the excess fat is internal and will respond only to weight loss.
The results of abdominoplasty are long lasting if patients maintain a healthy weight and do not become pregnant. Pregnancy is possible after abdominoplasty but the surgery may need to be repeated to tighten up stretched out tissues.
During the initial consultation, I examine the patient and determine which procedure is the most appropriate. I also show patients before and after photos of previous patients to demonstrate what I can achieve with various body types. A written price quote and additional information is also given. I can also provide the phone numbers of a few previous patients who have agreed to share their abdominoplasty experience.
Abdominoplasty is a major operation that leaves a significant scar, but most patient feel the discomfort, cost and recovery are good tradeoffs for the benefits of a strong and flat abdomen.
Some patients seek out a female, woman or lady plastic surgeon in Seattle and I certainly qualify. I understand all too well post-partum body issues and how darn hard it can be for a busy mom to schedule a procedure that requires significant down time
Be sure to check out my photo gallery to see examples of abdominoplasty.
Also see: What’s New > reduction and/or lift of the mons pubis
