Illinois/Chicago Area Plastic Surgery Procedures:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

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Patients who are the best candidates for an abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck", generally fall into three main categories:

- those with abdominal tissue fullness or redundancy that does not respond to diet/exercise;
- those who have experienced significant stretching of the abdominal wall and overlying soft tissues/skin due to pregnancy;
- those who have undergone significant weight loss, but are left with lax or even hanging abdominal skin*.

There are several degrees of abdominoplasty, depending on the severity of tissue laxity and the patient's goals. A "limited abdominoplasty" is best for patients who have a small amount of lower abdominal redundancy, and a fairly tight upper abdomen. This usually consists of excising redundant tissue as a smaller suprapubic ellipse, and detaching the belly-button and reattaching it several centimeters lower on the abdominal wall. Patients with more extreme skin and soft tissue redundancy usually require a "formal abdominoplasty" with excision of a larger ellipse of skin/tissue, usually starting above the belly button. The upper abdominal tissues are elevated and redraped more tautly, and the belly-button is pulled out in its native position though a small hole created in the skin that "lands" on top of it ("neoumbilicoplasty"). An "extended abdominoplasty" (also known as a "fleur-de-lis" incision with a vertical component) may be necessary for patients who have undergone massive weight loss. (*Please also see Post-Gastric Bypass Procedures) Abdominoplasties always are performed under general anesthesia, and we usually encourage an overnight stay.

All of these procedures include tightening of the abdominal wall musculature with sutures, and therefore require general anesthesia. Often they can be "added on" to otherwise medically necessary GYN or abdominal procedures, at a reduced extra hospital/anesthesia fee.

For more information about abdominoplasty, please see the American Society of Plastic Surgery website.

Contact our office today to schedule your private consultation. We encourage you to click here for your printable certificate good for $50 off your surgical consultation.

(Link reference used with permission from the ASPS; our approach to certain problems may differ from those described by the ASPS.)