Milwaukee Tummy Tuck doctors

In 2010 there were 144,929 abdominoplasty operations performed, according to the Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics compiled by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. An abdominoplasty is a contouring operation, not a weight loss procedure, so patients experience the best result when they have achieved a stable weight, and that weight is near their ideal body weight. Obtaining a weight close to ideal body weight thins the external tissues, making them easier to contour, and helps reduce intra-abdominal fat around the organs which the tummy tuck does not address. Thus, the contouring of the skin can be performed around a smaller and thinner core, optimizing the result. Your pictures suggest that some additional weight loss might help you achieve a better result. But, if you have obtained your stable baseline weight, you will still experience significant improvement in your shape.

The best candidates for tummy tuck surgery have some combination of loose and excess abdominal skin, with a protruding abdomen, and weakened abdominal muscles and fascia. This usually occurs following pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations. Your pictures would suggest that you have all of these so you should notice a nice improvement in your abdominal shape following tummy tuck surgery. The full tummy tuck involves muscle/fascia tightening and removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen and waistline to achieve a slimmer, more youthful appearance without the lower abdominal stretch marks and tummy fullness. Liposuction may be combined with a tummy tuck to improve the contour of the flanks and abdomen.

During your consultation, the physical examination will determine how much muscle/fascial looseness you have and how much muscle/fascia tightening you will require. An assessment of your flanks and hips will determine if the addition of liposuction will improve your result. Stretch marks in the lower abdomen (below the belly button) will be removed, while stretch marks in the upper abdomen will remain; but, they will be repositioned to the lower abdomen.

All of this can be explained in more detail during your consultation so you understand what will be best in your situation. Seek a board certified plastic surgeon with whom you feel comfortable.

Best wishes. Ken Dembny

I agree with Dr. Sowder - your plastic surgeon should not have prescribed percocet - did he or she know about the allergy?  You can get oxycodone without tylenol in it.  A good transition after narcotics would be tramadol - again without the addition of tylenol.

Based upon the photos you provided it appears that you have experienced nice improvement in the anterior abdomen – your stomach is much flatter, excess skin has been removed, and your umbilicus looks better. Only two and one-half weeks after surgery has passed, and you can expect to have moderate swelling at this point. It will probably take three months or more for your most of the swelling to resolve.

However, you should have been offered liposuction of the flanks (love handles) and lower back at the time of your tummy tuck. This would have improved your contour and results; and when combined with an extended tummy tuck the excess skin in this area would have been removed as well. It appears that your surgeon attempted to do this, in part, by using an extended approach. But more was required, and unfortunately you see that now.

It is important that you address this with your surgeon at your next visit. For now it is important to wait at least 6 months, for the swelling to completely resolve, before considering any revision surgery. I do not think you will be happy with your current result, as I do not believe the overall shape and contour will change significantly – but it is still important to wait. You will likely need liposuction and additional skin excision, the extent of which can only be determined after all swelling has resolved and final healing has occurred. Liposuction will produce additional skin laxity in this area, and that will allow your surgeon the opportunity to lower the scars on your hip – a benefit given the lo-rise style of pants you wear. To do this, your scars will be longer, extending further posteriorly; but the improved contour should make it worthwhile. You and your surgeon should be able to work through this to achieve the result you desire.

Best wishes, Ken Dembny