Frequently Asked Questions During Tummy Tuck Surgery
What kind of anesthesia will be
used?
Most tummy tuck surgery in my office is completed under general anesthesia.
Patients are completely asleep during the surgery and remember little
or nothing of the experience. I have extensive experience with local
anesthesia and I feel this is not a kind way to do tummy tuck surgery
even when intravenous sedation is added.
How is a tummy tuck done?
Tummy tuck surgery can be separated into four parts. First, a plan
is outlined on the patient's abdomen. Second, the incision is placed
within the bathing suit line so that the subsequent scar will be inconspicuous
and easily covered. Next, the skin and fat are freed from the underlying
muscle, the muscle is tightened, and the extra skin and fat is removed.
Finally, a drain is placed and absorbable stitches are used to close
the incision in the skin and foam pad dressings are placed.
How long will I be in the operating
room?
The length of time it takes to complete a tummy tuck is determined
by the severity of your problem. Generally, a tummy tuck takes two to
three hours to complete. You will spend about six to seven hours in
my office. Liposuction is frequently combined with a tummy tuck increasing
the time required to finish the operation. For safety reasons, I limit
the maximum time for surgery on each patient to six hours on a given
day.
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