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Are you like most people, who find that the abdomen is the key target area for aesthetic improvement?
While we may use diet, exercise, and other natural ways to address our tummy issues, sometimes, there’s only so much that can be done before surgery becomes our next best option. A tummy tuck procedure provides a great opportunity for fixing abdominal and core muscle issues.
Thinking about undergoing your very own tummy tuck procedure in Florida? Here’s where you can find all you need to know about a tummy tuck, the costs when you are in Florida, and more information and connection to the Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery.
Let’s start with the basics. The medical term for a tummy tuck is abdominoplasty. It is becoming one of the most requested cosmetic procedures, and there are great reasons why! Tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin and tightens underlying muscles in the stomach.
There are various techniques that an expert like Dr. William J. Vinyard, MD, FACS, may use depending on where you are and your goals. Some of your options include:
If your goal is to tighten your entire abdomen, from your pelvis all the way to your ribs, a full tummy tuck is your best option. This procedure is ideal for people with excess skin and fat across the lower and upper abdomen. With a full tummy tuck, incisions will likely extend from your right hip to the left hip. However, they are typically hidden easily with your undergarments or even some swimsuit bottoms.
Similar to the full tummy tuck, the extended tummy tuck addresses the abdomen but extends both the incision type and the range of the area you want to improve. With this type of tummy tuck surgery, you can address excess skin and fat in the abdomen, your flanks (i.e., those sometimes pesky love handles on your waist), and your outer thighs. The incision is similar in terms of reaching hip to hip but extends in the upper abdomen and down to address your outer thigh.
This procedure is ideal for patients who experienced massive weight loss and a significant amount of excess skin. While the incision is similar to the extended tummy tuck, it stretches further around your back. This means that you can address your abdomen, flanks, outer thighs, lower back, and buttocks.
Finally, we have the mini tummy tuck, the perfect procedure for patients with a relatively small amount of extra skin or fat in their lower abdomen, below the belly button. The mini tummy tuck procedure requires a shorter incision but does not address the underlying muscle laxity as the other options do. While it may not achieve dramatic results, it may be a perfect option if you want to make small but meaningful improvements.
Whichever option works best for you, the tummy tuck is an exciting body contouring procedure that can support you in gaining desired results and confidence and meeting your body image goals.
Now that you understand your options, you may wonder if a tummy tuck is right for you. The procedure is generally a safe and effective option for most patients. However, a few key factors can help you evaluate if you are a candidate for an abdominoplasty.
You may qualify as a candidate if you have excess skin or fat, a flabby abdomen, and drooping or stretched skin, be it from aging, pregnancy, or massive weight loss. An initial consultation and assessment of your skin, fat, and muscular framework, under the guidance of Dr. Vinyard, will provide clearer answers.
In addition to the body areas you want to address, another key assessment factor is the overall state of your health. Some of the questions you may want to consider are:
These are critical questions your team of experts at the Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery will ask during their comprehensive assessment. Your answers will determine your eligibility for this treatment plan and your overall recovery experience and results.
Any significant changes like pregnancy or ongoing weight loss could create more loose skin and alter surgery results. So if you have significant weight loss or another pregnancy in the books, you may want to delay the procedure.
Smoking, whether you are a regular smoker or even if you inhale secondhand smoke, is also an essential factor to consider. Decreased blood flow, which happens when you smoke or are consistently exposed to smoke, can cause complications, including a longer healing time for wounds, infection, skin loss, or increased scarring.
It is also critical to ensure that your goals and expectations are realistic. Tummy tuck surgery is not a quick solution for you to lose weight. Rather, it is an opportunity to improve your appearance and rejuvenate, contour, or restore your body aesthetics.
If you are clear about your answers to these questions and open to the guidance of your team of experts, you’ll find that determining if and how you qualify can be a positive experience.
A tummy tuck surgery can be a phenomenal way to tighten skin and muscles and create a contoured look that brings you more satisfaction and confidence. However, it is essential to reiterate that it won’t be a weight loss solution for you or even a tool for managing weight. In addition, while it may improve stretch marks by the general technique of tightening and adjusting the skin, the surgery itself cannot correct stretch marks.
While it is helpful to read about what a tummy tuck surgery can do, we’ve put together a collection of before-and-after photos that illustrate all we’ve shared. Although the tummy tuck procedure is commonly performed in Florida, there is a definite difference seen in Dr. Vinyard’s results. As you browse through his numerous before and after photos you will see that his attention to detail with the design and appearance of the scar and belly button (umbilicus) creates a natural outcome that is rarely matched. Check them out here!
With all the information you have, you may be wondering now, how much will a tummy tuck cost you, especially when you live in South Florida? Our long experience of providing tummy tuck procedures to patients has taught us that no two procedures are alike — each patient has their unique needs, which are reflected in the final price of the procedure. Once he ascertains the type of tummy tuck, technique, and anesthesia you need, Dr. Vinyard will provide you with a clear price quote!
Prepping for your tummy tuck procedure will directly impact your experience and recovery. There are some great ways to prepare your body for surgery.
First and foremost, if you are a smoker, we strongly recommend you quit to avoid the complications that smoking can cause. You will also want to maintain a healthy diet and weight well before your surgery date. As with any surgery, you should also prepare to be off work, have one or more people as caregivers and a support network, and secure anything you’ll need (i.e., food, medications) to help your body heal.
Yes, you will require a certain type of anesthesia for your tummy tuck procedure.
A common question is related to tummy tuck pain. While there is naturally some pain associated with all surgical procedures, when it comes to tummy tucks, there’s great news. We are excited because thanks to a phenomenal local anesthetic called EXPAREL®, the procedure is not nearly as painful as in the past. This pain reliever, which targets your treatment area, provides lasting pain relief throughout the entire procedure. It has been a powerful tool Dr. Vinyard recommends and uses for his patients. You can read about it here to learn more about how it works!
Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts will provide you with the guidance you need for your recovery. While recovery time and experience are tailored to your procedure, pre-op preparation, and body, you can keep a few things in mind.
Following your surgery, you’ll have some swelling and bruising in the treatment area, which should last just a few days. Dr. Vinyard will provide you with extensive guidelines, which will likely require you to take short walks for blood flow, but you should take care as you won’t likely be able to fully stand up straight for the first week. As those side effects disappear, you’ll become more mobile and resume your daily routine after a couple of weeks. That said, you should be cautious about activities such as lifting, bending down, and pushing. Your body may need another week or so to heal before increasing your activity. Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts will closely follow you during your healing and advise you throughout your healing journey.
You will have medications to manage discomfort, but our use of EXPAREL® should significantly reduce pain. In addition, making sure that you have a healthy diet and following your guidelines should ensure a healthy and positive recovery.
Book A Complimentary Consultation
As you consider your tummy tuck goals, Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts wield many options for restoring a youthful look and feel for your breasts. A tummy tuck can be an incredible addition to your treatment plan, and Dr. Vinyard and his team of experts are ready to support you in achieving your goals. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Vinyard, or call us at (772) 362-3357 to find out the next steps in your mommy makeover journey! Our office at 291 NW Peacock Blvd, Suite 103, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, proudly serves the South Florida area! You can also check out our blog and social media to learn more about the treatment options available at our office!
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