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FAQ

Dr. Tom Pousti is a highly skilled tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) specialist who now has offices in La Jolla where he can see La Jolla tummy tuck patients. In the paragraphs below, Dr. Pousti describes the abdominoplasty procedure. He has helped many patients achieve a more attractive and shapely profile. Dr. Pousti's patients who have undergone bariatric surgery or massive weight loss benefit from abdominoplasty surgery to remove the excess skin that weighs the patient down.

Description

Abdominoplasty, also known as the "tummy tuck," is an operation performed to remove excess fatty tissue and skin folds in the mid and lower abdominal region and to tighten up the abdominal wall. When women have had children, the lining of the abdominal muscles can rip and the abdomen can develop a bulge. Men sometimes have tummy tucks too if they suffer from excess abdominal skin and fat.

There are several types of abdominoplasty, ranging from a minor removal of hanging skin (a mini-tummy tuck) to a major abdominoplasty where the entire abdomen is tightened. It is designed to remove only as much excess skin and fatty tissue as is practical and safe. Stretch marks, where possible, will be removed along with the excess skin. However, stretch marks on the remaining abdominal skin cannot be removed.

The Mini Tummy Tuck is for contour problems without as much loose skin as a standard abdominoplasty. An Extended Tummy Tuck is for extensive loose skin and fatty tissue of the abdominal area. The extended abdominoplasty, regular abdominoplasty and the mini-abdominoplasty procedures can include the following:

* Liposuction of the surrounding areas.
* Skin excision - (limited for the mini tummy tuck).
* Tightening of the lower and upper parts of the abdominal rectus muscles

The Surgical Procedure

The procedure takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Markings are performed the evening prior or the morning of surgery. Care is taken to give you the results you are looking for.

What To Expect After Surgery

You are restricted to bed for 2 to 3 days with periods of walking. You will be "hunched over" significantly for the first week and slowly will be able to stand up straight. Coughing, laughing, sneezing or anything that exerts the abdominal muscles will produce discomfort. Positioning yourself when sleeping -- you will either need to sleep in a recliner or place pillows under your legs when lying in bed to keep your body in an "L" formation.

Resumption Of Physical Activities

Driving- 2 - 4 weeks
Sports- 2 - 4 weeks
Sexual activity- 2 - 4 weeks
Travel- 2 weeks
Social and work activities- 2 to 4 weeks

 

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