Tummy Tuck in Maryland
Whether you have lost several pounds, have recently had a baby, or are simply noticing the effects of aging around your midsection, you may be wondering if you will ever see firm abs again. Or perhaps you have never had a tight abdomen and yet are trying to go for a taut waistline. A tummy tuck in Maryland (also known as an abdominoplasty) could give you an attractive and healthy-looking midsection.
This body sculpting procedure is not a weight-loss solution. Instead, it is a surgical procedure targeted to reduce extra skin and restore muscle tone in the abdominal region. Dr. Troy Pittman is a board-certified expert plastic surgeon who can help you firm up your midsection and start to feel better about your body.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
If you are not obese but have extra fat and excess skin in the lower abdomen that diet and exercise have not affected, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure. Other good candidates include those whose abdominal shape has been affected by pregnancy or substantial weight loss.
Also, you might consider a tummy tuck if you have a significant number of stretch marks around the lower abdomen. The procedure can remove most or all of the stretch marks in this region.
Good health should ultimately be the first consideration for a local tummy tuck surgery. Your weight should be stable and you should keep realistic expectations about your final results.
What to Expect During a Tummy Tuck
There are three types of abdominoplasty surgeries. These include a full tummy tuck that tightens muscles throughout the abdominal region, a mini tummy tuck that tightens the muscles below the belly button, and an extended or high lateral tension tummy tuck that targets love handles and hips. Dr. Pittman may advise a liposuction treatment in conjunction with the tummy tuck to yield optimal results.
Full Tummy Tuck
The primary incision in a full abdominoplasty is made above the pubic mound and runs across the torso to the hips. A secondary incision is made around the belly button. Dr. Pittman then sutures the ab muscles together.
The loosened skin is stretched down over the newly tightened ab muscles, and any excess tissue is trimmed away. Dr. Pittman will mark the navel location and create a hole in the skin. Sutures are applied around the new naval and the incision above the pubic area. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty, full recovery time can be six weeks or more.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a simpler, less invasive procedure than a full abdominoplasty. Individuals in reasonably good shape but are troubled by excess fat or skin below the navel are good candidates for this surgery. The main difference is that the incision is smaller and does not travel from hip to hip, and there is no need to make a new navel.
Extended or High Lateral Tummy Tuck
An extended abdominoplasty goes further into the torso’s sides to shape the love handles and upper hips. An extended or high lateral tummy tuck is ideal for those who have lost an extreme amount of weight and require significantly more work.
Secure Firmer Abs with a Tummy Tuck in Maryland
An abdominoplasty will not prevent the long-term effects of aging. Living a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, and adhering to an exercise regime will help maintain the results.
A consultation with a board-certified surgeon like Dr. Troy Pittman will allow you to ask questions and share any concerns you may have. If stretch marks, sagging skin, or a lower belly make you feel self-conscious, a tummy tuck in Maryland can help restore your confidence and your desire to show off your body.