Tummy Tuck in St. Louis, MO

 You may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• excess or sagging abdominal skin
• an abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body
• abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened
• excess fatty tissue that is concentrated in your abdomen

If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Scarring from previous abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty.

You should be at your near your ideal body weight for this procedure. A BMI of less than 30 is ideal. Dr. Hulsey requires that patients avoid smoking for 6-8 week prior to and after the procedure.

There are various types of tummy tuck procedures. 

• A mini-tummy tuck addresses the lower abdomen, and only tightens the skin below the belly button. In certain patients, the abdominal muscles below the belly button can also be tightened at the same time. The scar is not quite as long as a traditional tummy tuck incision.  
• A full abdominoplasty removes more excess skin, and tightens the underlying rectus muscles. The incisions appears as a curved line from hip to hip. The belly button is repositioned in this procedure as well, given the amount of tissue removed. Patients may need to stay slightly flexed at the waist for 5-7 days after surgery, and may require some help at home during that time. Pain medication is provided to minimize discomfort. Patients can return to more sedentary work at 2 weeks, but it takes a full 6 weeks before patients can return to unrestricted activities and more strenuous exercise.
• An extended abdominoplasty can additional target skin around the back side/ flanks as well. This is more common in major weight loss patients. The rest of the procedure is similar to a standard abdominoplasty. 
• A tummy tuck procedure can also be combined with liposuction to further address excess fat.

During your consultation, Dr. Hulsey will take measurements, and examine you standing upright and lying down to help determine which procedure is right for you. 

Recovery after a tummy tuck lasts several weeks as it is an extensive procedure. Depending on which type of tummy tuck you have, you may need assistance at home for up to a week. 

The day of and day after your tummy tuck, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation. Although you may not be able to stand up completely straight, it is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Straining, bending, and lifting must be avoided since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. Dr. Hulsey avoid using drains, performing "drainless tummy tuck" procedures, and thus you should not have any when you wake up. You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. Patients often wear compression garments as well to help with swelling and bruising. Dr. Hulsey ensures patients have pain medicine at home so patients can fully rest and recover. The bruising and much of the swelling will disappear over a period of weeks. However, it may be months before all swelling subsides and you see the final result of your abdominoplasty. You may also notice some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear to worsen before they finally begin to fade.

Restrictions stay in place for 4-6 weeks, depending on each patient's recovery status. These include no heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Patients can often return to work after 1-2 weeks, depending on the procedure chosen. 

Abdominoplasty will enhance your body contour by making your abdomen firmer and flatter. You may find that you feel more comfortable in your clothing and are more confident about your appearance.

The incisions from the procedure will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible. In some instances, they will eventually be only faint lines. Certain individuals may have incision lines that are more noticeable. Fortunately, the incisions for your abdominoplasty are usually in locations concealed by most bathing suits and undergarments. In a standard abdominoplasty, that scar will span from hip to hip, again, usually hidden beneath your natural panty line.

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your abdomen should remain firmer and flatter for many years. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually take their toll. If, after a period of years, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your abdomen, you may choose to undergo a second procedure to restore a more youthful body contour. 

 If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions. 

A tummy tuck may be performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the next day or two. When a tummy tuck is performed in conjunction with medically necessary procedures such as a hysterectomy or hernia repair, a short hospitalization may be required.

 Your abdominoplasty may be performed in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility, such as our Seven Oaks Surgery Center, or office-based surgical suite.

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. A general anesthetic is administered so that you will be asleep throughout the procedure. When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Gauze or other dressings may be applied to your abdomen and covered with tape or an elastic bandage.

You are usually permitted to go home after a few hours unless you and your plastic surgeon have determined that you will stay in the hospital or surgical facility overnight.