Abdominoplasties can be performed on both men and women. The best candidates should be in good health, non-smokers, and near their ideal body weight. Women should be finished with childbearing. Most patients typically experience one or all of the following:

· Excess, loose, and/or sagging abdominal skin

· Abdominal musculature that has stretched out or weakened (called diastasis recti)

· Hernias (umbilical, incisional, or ventral) caused by pregnancy, weight gain, or a previous surgery

· Excess fat deposits under the abdominal skin and waistline

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is not a weight loss procedure—it focuses on reducing loose skin and improving poor abdominal muscle tone. All of these factors can lead to low self-esteem and are not correctable by diet and exercise. During your consultation at the Orlando Face and Body Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Sweeney will discuss with you your personal goals and the available surgical options to meet these goals.

Dr. Sweeney will create a unique treatment plan for each patient based on their needs and desires. The extent of the tummy tuck depends on many factors, but the largest determining factor in your surgery is your amount of loose skin. The goal is for the muscles to be flat and tight, as well as for minimal loose skin to be observable when in a sitting position. The types of abdominoplasty are as follows:

· Mini or Partial Tummy Tuck: This surgery typically focuses on loose skin in the lower abdomen and usually results in a shorter scar. This procedure may incorporate Cesarean section and/or hysterectomy scar revision as well.

· Full or Standard Tummy Tuck: This surgery addresses all the excess skin of the anterior abdomen, as well as muscle looseness and hernias. This method places the incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic area.

· Extended Abdominoplasty: This includes a standard tummy tuck, as well as addresses the excess skin over the lateral hip, thigh, and buttocks area.

Your surgery will most likely be performed as an outpatient procedure at the Orlando Face and Body Plastic Surgery. After a recovery period, you will be sent home with a compression garment to promote optimal healing and support hose to prevent blood clots/deep vein thrombosis. You will experience some discomfort for a few days, which can be managed by prescription pain medication. After one week, you should be able to resume nonstrenuous activities; however, we recommend waiting 3 to 4 weeks before resuming strenuous exercise.

Dr. Sweeney and the staff of the Orlando Face and Body Plastic Surgery in Orlando, Florida will provide you with detailed written and verbal instructions describing aftercare and will be available to address any post-operative questions or concerns that you may have.

Many factors can lead to a stretched-out stomach that creates hanging skin. We know it can be annoying and frustrating, and surgery is generally the only way to overcome this. If you are tired of having loose skin in your abdomen, regardless of the severity, cosmetic surgery by Dr. Sweeney in Orlando, Florida can help you get the look you want. Please contact the Orlando Face and Body Plastic Surgery to learn more.