About Tummy Tucks

New Horizons Plastic Surgery, Dr. H. James Webb, FACS

If you're seeking a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in the East Tennessee area, we at New Horizons Plastic Surgery specialize in this highly effective cosmetic surgery procedure. Our plastic surgeon Dr. Webb, is noted as an expert in his field, with his unique ability to fully assess the entire body rather than just the tummy area. As a result of this full-body approach, your tummy tuck will produce amazing results, taking all the surrounding areas into account as well so that your body can be perfectly proportioned.

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, works by removing fat and excess skin from the mid and low stomach areas and tightening up the abdominal wall muscles. The result of a tummy tuck is drastic; you will immediately see a reduction in the belly area and a flatter overall stomach. As it is a major surgery, there is some scarring involved; the size and length of the scar varies according to the degree of the surgery and the specific patient. Dr. Webb's experience ensures that all scarring is minimal and concealable with a swimsuit or undergarments.

The Procedure

You can expect to be in the operating room for two to five hours when you get a tummy tuck. Both general and local anesthesias are used for tummy tucks, and we will determine the best method for your specific surgery. The incision is generally made between the hip bones across the entire length of the body, and the skin is separated from the muscle tissue. The muscles are then tightened and excess skin is removed, creating the sleek, flat look you desire. If the area you wish to target is smaller, a partial tummy tuck may be an option, which will result in smaller incisions.

Recovery

While you will see fantastic results, it will take time to heal and enjoy your new figure. The tummy tuck procedure itself will take several hours, but you will be given anesthesia at this time. After your procedure is completed, pain will be controlled by using a pain pump.

On-Q® Pain Pump

To keep you comfortably numb while you heal in the days immediately following your tummy tuck procedure, Marcaine anesthetic is delivered directly to the area of the abdomen via a pain pump called the On-Q® Pain Relief System. This system sends the anesthetic continuously for 100 hours to make the pain more bearable.

On-Q® pain pump works by delivering the anesthetic through a balloon that slowly deflates as the medicine flows through a length of tubing to a catheter. The catheter "bathes" the site with medication and numbing the pain. There are no buttons for you to push. The medication simply flows on its own at a measured rate so you are not given too much at once. After the medication has finished and the reserve is empty, you can pull the catheter out yourself.

Pain Pump Advantages

Recovery from surgery is more comfortable
Pain relief is better than with narcotics alone
Less need for narcotics
Side-effects and complications associated with narcotics are avoided
Return to your own bed on the day of your tummy tuck
Reduced time to return to your busy life

By using the On-Q® pain pump, you can focus less on the discomfort of recovery and focus on those things that are important to you.

We will assist you with the healing process from your tummy tuck. You will experience swelling for several days following abdominoplasty surgery, and full recovery generally takes from three weeks to several months, but the results are dramatically slimming.

The content of this page is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. If you need personalized medical advice, please schedule a consultation with New Horizons Plastic Surgeon Dr. Webb.