My belly looks like a "prune." I've had two kids. I watch my weight. I exercise daily. What else can I do?
-Nicole
Nicole, you could consider an abdominoplasty.
An abdominoplasty is commonly known as a tummy tuck. It is a major surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the tummy by...
- removing excess skin (and most of the pregnancy-related stretch marks!) from the lower and middle abdomen
- removing excess fat from the tummy
- tightening the abdominal muscles (whose laxity produces a protrusion of the central belly)
- rejuvenating the bellybutton
The best candidates for a tummy tuck usually...
- are in good shape
- have an abdominal "roll" that won't respond to dieting
- have loose skin that won't tighten with exercise
- have stretched abdominal muscles, due to multiple pregnancies
- have lost significant amounts of weight
An abdominoplasty is NOT...
- a weight loss technique
- for a patient who intends to lose more weight
- for a women who plans more pregnancies (The vertical muscles which are tightened during surgery can separate again after a pregnancy.)
- for patients who scar very poorly
Overall, an abdominoplasty can dramatically improve the appearance of a post-partum abdomen. However, patients should bear in mind that...
- there will be a permanent scar that extends from hip to hip (about 3 times the length of a C-section)
- the recovery can be prolonged (2-4 weeks is typical.)
- smoking must be stopped for 4 months--2 months before and 2 months after surgery (Tobacco may lead to poor healing.)
- poor healing may necessitate a secondary operation
Our questioner Nicole did great:
Add to del.icio.us
Digg this
That's a fantastic outcome. Thanks to Nicole for letting us see her before and after pictures and congratulations on the new look. The scarring looks like the site healed up very well.
Especially here in San Diego, tummy tuck clients like to have a minimal scar that can be covered with the right bikini bottom. Great job!
Posted by: San Diego Plastic Surgery | December 06, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Amazing before and after results. Congrats Nicole and kudos to the surgeon. ^_^
Posted by: Alex Stoica | December 25, 2009 at 02:12 PM
I'm speechless..what else can I say..you got a good Doctor and the perfect Decision.
Posted by: Tummy Tuck Los Angeles | January 08, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Your after picture looks amazing. I am in a similar situation as you where I have had 3 children and my stomach looks very much like your before picture. I am considering a tummy tuck, but have concerns about the down time after surgery. How long was your recovery and how many weeks after surgery did you take your post-surgery picture?
Posted by: Heather Dailey | February 04, 2010 at 07:49 AM
Dear Heather,
Glad that you liked Nicoles result! Her recovery was smooth:
One week to take it easy
Two weeks until she could complete her household chores and take care of her children
Six weeks until she was back to the gym
The after photograph was taken just three months after surgery. She looks even better now!
Her scars have faded even more.
The small amount of swelling still present three months after surgery has resolved, so hertummy is now even flatter.
Please call my office if I can be of any help: 805-648-4567.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Pickart, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Pickart Plastic Surgery, Inc.
428 Poli St.,#2C, Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-4567 | fax (805) 641-0811
To: info@pickartplasticsurgery.com
Posted by: Michael Pickart | February 04, 2010 at 09:23 PM
This is a great job! Looking at the her before and after pictures, it was really great! You did great in choosing your surgeon.
Posted by: Plastic Surgery Los Angeles | March 02, 2010 at 03:45 PM