Tummy Tuck/Post Weightloss

The Pre-Operative Visit
You will meet again with Dr. Parson approximately 2 weeks prior to surgery at which time any remaining questions you may have regarding the operation will be answered. You will be asked to discontinue medications that could lead to bleeding during the surgery. The specific medications will be reviewed with you at the visit. You will then be asked to sign a consent for the surgical procedure as well for our board-certified anesthesiologist to provide anesthesia. Dr. Parson performs his abdominoplasty operations with general anesthesia. Our patients have found this to be an excellent choice of anesthesia.

Photographs will be taken of your abdomen and any other areas upon which Dr. Parson will be operating. Specific instructions regarding the date and time of your procedure will be given to you. You are not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. You will need to arrange for an adult to drive you to and from the surgery center on the day of the operation and for the first visit after the surgery. You should wear loose fitting clothing that will wash easily in the event they are soiled. Do not wear jewelry, contact lenses, or bring valuables to the operating room. Remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts; this can interfere with the procedure and may represent a safety threat to you because of the use of electrocautery during the procedure. Do not shave or wax your abdomen prior to surgery; this may increase your risk of infection. Any shaving that is necessary will be done the day of surgery by our staff.

The balance of your surgical fee is due at this pre-operative visit.

Finally, Dr. Parson will write prescriptions for preventative antibiotics to decrease your risk of infection and a narcotic analgesic for post-operative pain relief.

The Day of Surgery
On the day of your procedure, you will meet with the peri-operative nurse and have your vital signs checked. The doctor will place skin markings on your abdomen to direct him during the procedure. The anesthesiologist will review your medical history and will then administer an anesthetic.

A full abdominoplasty takes 2-4 hours, depending on the extent of the work involved and whether it is combined with a thigh and buttock lift procedure. During the procedure, the lower abdominal skin and fat are excised or removed. The abdominal skin above the level of the navel is then lifted off the underlying muscle up to your lower rib cage, like lifting an apron. A cut is made around the navel, which is left alone.

The vertical abdominal muscles are then tightened with heavy sutures from your xiphoid (solar plexus) to your pubic bone. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and a narrower waistline. The skin apron is then pulled down to the pubic area and after a new opening is made for the navel, the skin is stitched. In some cases, liposuction will make up part of the abdominoplasty procedure to further improve contour. Drain tubes are placed under the skin to evacuate any fluid, which may ooze after the operation. The drains exit in the area of the pubic hair through tiny holes. These drains are removed approximately 1 - 2 weeks after surgery. The closure of the skin is done with dissolving-type suture material, which does not require removal. Several sutures may be placed at the navel, which will require removal.

Dressings are placed on the incisions. A binder may be placed to support your abdomen, provide comfort and decrease swelling during the post-operative period. Patients are usually kept in the hospital following this procedure. This varies from patient to patient depending on the extent of the procedure. It is necessary to have an adult to drive you home. Patients cannot be discharged to the company of a minor or to a car service. Patients from out of state should plan to stay locally for approximately 14 days.

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