Tummy Tuck
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is done to remove excess skin and fat on your abdomen. It helps to contour your abdomen and waist. It may be combined with abdominal muscle plication to repair diastasis recti (bringing together both abdominal muscles).
Contents
About the Tummy Tuck
There are a couple of options for abdominoplasty including mini, full, or extended. The mini tummy tuck incision is a little longer than a Pfannenstiel scar (C-section scar). The extended abdominoplasty incision goes beyond the hip bones and helps to contour the waist and lower back.
Benefits
With weight loss and exercises, you may not tighten your abdomen and get rid of the excess skin.
Surgery will help to decrease your pants size and may provide you with a slimmer waist.
Candidates
Anybody with excess skin/fat on their abdomen that doesn’t disappear with a healthy diet or exercise is a candidate for a tummy tuck, especially women after pregnancy.
Personal Consultation
Dr. Dolen will go over abdominoplasty options and will help you decide the best option for your body and for your general health during an in-person clinic visit.
Preparation
We will give you detailed instructions to prepare you for surgery.
- We want you to start drinking protein shakes and taking multivitamins before surgery as soon as your surgery date is set.
- We don’t want you to drink any herbal teas within 1 week before surgery.
- You need to stop using blood thinners before surgery. The exact date will be discussed by your PCP, cardiologist, or neurologist.
- Do not use ibuprofen or aspirin within 1 week before surgery.
Procedure
Dr. Dolen performs a drainless tummy tuck with progressive tension sutures so patients do not have any drains after surgery. Surgery is performed in the hospital operating room and under general anesthesia. Patients go home after surgery.
The surgery usually takes 2-3 hours depending on the amount of excess tissue.
A nerve block will be performed by Dr. Dolen during surgery to provide you comfort after the surgery.
We will put you in an abdominal binder that you will use for 1 month.
Recovery & Results
It takes approximately 2-4 weeks for your surgical site to heal. For 1 month we don’t want you to do any heavy exercises. You can only walk as an exercise.
You will use the provided surgical bra for 1 month.
Dr. Dolen will see you weekly to ensure good healing.
We ask you to keep your waist flexed at all times for 1 month to not stress your suture lines.
Cost of a Tummy Tuck
This is an aesthetic procedure therefore you are responsible for the cost of surgery, anesthesia, and hospital fees.