A tummy tuck is the informal name for an abdominoplasty; a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat tissues around the abdominal area and tightens the abdominal wall. For reasons particular to every patient, the tummy is often the hardest area to tone and shape, especially if you’ve had children or experienced sudden weight loss. If you’re close to your target weight and body shape, but your diet and exercise are no match for your belly, then a tummy tuck may provide an ideal solution. As New York’s premier plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg routinely performs tummy tucks several times every week, both in a hospital setting and in his office ambulatory operating facility in Manhattan. If you have further questions about tummy tucks, how they can help you, or the healing process (drains, healing time, etc.), then schedule a personal cosmetic consultation with Dr. Greenberg.
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FAQs ABOUT TUMMY TUCK DRAINS
What is a tummy tuck drain?
Because a tummy tuck involves a surgical incision into the abdominal wall, there’s a risk of fluid and blood accumulation in or around the site following surgery. Small tubes, or drains, are often placed along the incision to allow excess blood and fluid to drain, reducing the risk of swelling and infection due to buildup.
How long do I have to leave the drains in?
Every patient and every procedure is different, but on average, tummy tuck drains must remain in place between two and 10 days. If drainage continues beyond the 10-day mark, then visit Dr. Greenberg for an examination to ensure that there are no complications.
Do all tummy tucks require drains?
Though they’re more often needed than not, some abdominoplasty procedures, like the mini-tummy tuck, don’t always require the use of drains. After a comprehensive examination and consultation, Dr. Greenberg will go over every step of your procedure, including whether or not you’ll need drains, before proceeding.
Is liposuction better than a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is best suited for patients with flabby bellies due to skin with poor elasticity as well as excess belly fat. In some cases, Dr. Greenberg may recommend liposuction instead, which involves suctioning out fatty deposits from specific areas of the body. If your skin’s elasticity is still good, or if you still plan on losing more weight or having more children, then a tummy tuck might not be as effective in the long-run as you wish.
How long before I can go back to my daily routine?
Typically, patients are out of work for approximately one to two weeks following surgery, although how quickly you can return to work depends on a number of factors (like whether you had a tummy tuck or mini-tummy tuck, how fast your body heals, and what you do for a living). If you have an active career and/or lifestyle, then you may need to recuperate a bit longer than if you have an office job that allows you to sit for most of the day.
Learn More about Body Contouring
You shouldn’t fret over the things you can’t change; but when it comes to pesky stomach fat and loose skin, you don’t have to settle for what seems uncontrollable. With a tummy tuck or other cosmetic procedure, Manhattan plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg, can remove troublesome fat and skin.
For a free consultation, contact our Manhattan, Woodbury, or Southampton office.