When you’re looking for the best tummy tuck surgeon on Long Island, there are a few things to consider. First, what type of tummy tuck procedure are you interested in? There are three main types: mini-abdominoplasty, full abdominoplasty, and extended abdominoplasty. Each has different recovery times and costs.
Next, do you have any health conditions that might affect your ability to recover from surgery? If so, it’s important to find out if they affect your candidacy for a tummy tuck surgery or not. Finally—and perhaps most importantly—what kind of results do you want from this procedure? Do you want it to be as natural-looking as possible? Or do you want something more dramatic? A good surgeon will help guide you through these questions and more so that you can make an informed decision about which procedure is right for your body.
Read on to learn more about Best Tummy Tuck Surgeon On Long Island, Tummy Tuck Recovery and A Flattering Flatter Abdomen After Weight Loss
Best Tummy Tuck Surgeon On Long Island
Abdominoplasty Is Body Contouring for Your Midsection
It’s been said that change is the only constant in life. And, as we go through life’s many profound changes, they can leave unwanted evidence in their wake. Post-bariatric patients who have undergone significant weight loss or women who have been pregnant often must contend with loose and sagging skin that hangs unflatteringly from their frame. But a tummy tuck can help.
Dr. Gordon Andan serves his New Your City community with the best aesthetic treatments in the tri-state area. His offices are located in Manhattan and Garden City, NY, for your convenience. Contact us to schedule your personal consultation. Call (516) 746-0155 to speak with one of our helpful representatives.
A Flattering Flatter Abdomen After Weight Loss
Abdominoplasty’s cosmetic outcomes achieve what can’t be accomplished through diet and exercise alone. While a tummy tuck surgery is an extensive procedure requiring some downtime, the results are satisfying for the vast majority of patients, both female and male. If you’re considering a tummy tuck in the New York metropolitan area, contact our practice to find out if the procedure is right for you.
WHAT DOES A TUMMY TUCK DO?
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin while restoring weakened muscles at the belly. The procedure creates a smoother, firmer abdominal profile. It is a very powerful and transformative body contouring surgery. Women who have been pregnant and weight-loss patients are the most common seekers of the tummy tuck. The aging process and genetic factors can also contribute to loose, sagging skin at the abdomen.[1]
This procedure can be used to shape areas below the chin, neck, cheekbones, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.
Liposuction is not commonly considered a weight-loss method or a weight-loss option. If you suffer from being overweight, you are likely to lose more weight through diet and exercise or if that does not work, through bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery, than you would with liposuction.
Liposuction in Tijuana is recommended for people who have too much body fat in specific spots but also have a stable body weight.
Liposuction is used to remove fat from areas of the body that haven’t responded to diet and exercise, such as the:
- Upper arms
- Abdomen
- Chin and neck
- Buttocks
- Hips and thighs
- Calves and ankles
- Chest and back
Liposuction in Tijuana decreases the number of fat cells in certain areas. The amount of fat eliminated depends on the appearance of the area and the volume of fat. It is important to remember that in order to keep the contour changes of the body, the weight has to remain stable; if not the body contour will not last. If the person has good skin tone and elasticity, the skin is likely to appear smooth.
For this surgery, a liposuction machine and special instruments called cannulas are used. The surgical team first prepares the area to be operated on and administers regional anesthesia. Through a small incision in the skin, a suction tube with a sharp tip is inserted into the fat deposits and a sweep is made through the area where the fat is to be removed. The released fat is “sucked up” with a suction tube. A suction pump or a large syringe is used to perform the suction. Multiple skin punctures may be needed to treat large areas.
The surgeon can approach the areas to be treated from several different directions to achieve the best silhouette.
As with any important surgery, liposuction in Tijuana carries risks, such as bleeding and a reaction to anesthesia. We are going to explain some of the risks that may be presented during or after the surgery:
- Fluid accumulation.
Is the build-up of fluid in the body’s tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. The accumulation of fluid must be drained with a needle.
- Infection.
There is a small possibility of skin infection. In this case, it has to be controlled quickly, because a mistreated skin infection may be life-threatening.
- Numbness.
Lost, reduced, or altered sensation and tingling are types of temporary paresthesia. This puts pressure on nerves and blood vessels, reducing sensation.
- Contour irregularities.
The skin may appear bumpy, wavy or withered due to uneven fat removal, poor skin elasticity and unusual healing. These changes may be permanent and the skin will lack smoothness.
The risk of complications grows if the surgeon is working on larger surfaces of your body or doing several procedures during the same operation.
Indications
- Cosmetic reasons, including fat folds of the waist, fat accumulations, or an abnormal chin line possible to eliminate with diet and/or exercise.
Liposuction is not appropriate in the following cases:
- Improve body silhouette by removing localized fat accumulations that were not
- Improve sexual function. By reducing the abnormal fat deposits located on the inner thighs, allowing easier access to the vagina.
- As a substitute for exercise, diet, or as a method to lose weight in general.
- As a treatment for cellulite (dimpled appearance and uneven skin on hips, thighs, and buttocks).
We inform youAt Imagen Art, you can have an assessment by our specialists, who can guide you in the safest and most effective treatment for your case, as well as the follow up until your complete recovery.
Side Effects
- Edema or localized swelling of the area
- Localized bruises or hematoma
- Tiny incisions of approximately 1 centimeter located in very strategic places
- Sensitivity disturbances (temporary numbness of the skin that lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks)
The recovery time of these alterations can be tremendously shortened if massages and or ultrasound therapy is performed after the procedure.
A tummy tuck will tailor your body so that you can feel comfortable in your own skin. If you have recently lost weight or have had children, you owe it to yourself to look and feel your best.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ABDOMINOPLASTY
- Repair of stretched abdominal muscles
- Tightening of loose skin around the midsection
- For women, the procedure restores an S-shaped silhouette
Your Personal Consultation With Dr. Andan
Dr. Gordon Andan is committed to helping you achieve your best possible outcomes. He is an experienced surgeon with an attention to detail, an artistic eye and a focus on natural-looking results. Dr. Andan’s good bedside manner and customized approach ensure that every person who visits New York Surgical Arts at our New York or Long Island locations enjoys a welcoming and positive experience, from the initial consultation and beyond.
Your personal consultation with Dr. Andan is your opportunity to communicate your aesthetic goals. Guided by this information, he will recommend the best course of treatment for your sagging skin at the abdomen. All of our grateful patients’ glowing reviews affirm the fact that they made the right choice with Dr. Andan.
Contact us to schedule your appointment. Call (925) 462-3700 to speak with one of our helpful representatives.
The Procedure
A tummy tuck takes about three hours. Dr. Andan shall perform the procedure while you are under general anesthesia. We create a horizontal incision on your lower abdomen and then separate the skin from the underlying tissue. Another incision will encircle your navel. He’ll trim away loose skin and fat, and repair the underlying muscles with sutures.
During the same procedure, we often perform Liposuction in adjacent areas to provide a slimmer body shape. Dr. Andan then closes the incisions using stitches, skin adhesives or clips. Temporary drains may also be placed to collect fluid after surgery. Your midsection will be wrapped in gauze and an elastic bandage to aid the healing process.[2]
Recovery
After tummy tuck surgery, you can expect some swelling, bruising and discomfort in the treated area for several days. We will provide you with specific aftercare instructions and prescription pain medication to manage discomfort.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
An abdominoplasty is a procedure that flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall. This surgical procedure is also known as a tummy tuck.
Tummy tucks can be thought of as “mini” or more involved procedures depending on the amount of skin and fat. It’s important to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation, and take your time arriving at a final decision. The procedure shouldn’t be used as an alternative to weight loss.
Who are the best candidates for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall and are at a stable weight. It’s best to be a non-smoker.
A tummy tuck shouldn’t be confused with a liposuction (the cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may choose to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck. Women who have muscles and skin stretched after several pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives and have lost significant weight, but still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.
When should you avoid an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
If you’re a woman who is still planning to have children, you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you’re through bearing children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened. Future pregnancies can separate these muscles once again.
If you’re still planning to lose a significant amount of weight, don’t have a tummy tuck right away. Wait until your weight has stabilized.
It’s important to note that a tummy tuck causes scarring on the abdomen. The length of the scar, which is along the bikini line, depends on the amount of extra skin. With minimal extra skin, the mini abdominoplasty results in a short scar.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss all these options with you when you go for the consultation. You and your surgeon will discuss the results you want, and the surgeon will determine the appropriate procedure during your consultation.
PROCEDURE DETAILS
How is an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) done?
Depending on the results you want, this surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. Surgery is generally done as an outpatient procedure. If you are traveling out of town to a facility to have the procedure done, you’ll be asked to stay overnight at a hotel. Liposuction may or may not be recommended at the same time.
You will receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It’s important to have someone with you who can drive you home. If you live alone and you’re sent home after the procedure, you also will need someone to stay with you at least the first night after the surgery.
- Complete abdominoplasty: This option is for patients who need the most correction. The incision (cut) is made at the bikini line, at about the same level as your pubic hair. The length of the scar depends on the amount of extra skin. Your surgeon will then manipulate and shape the skin and muscle as needed. You will also have an incision around your navel (belly button) with this procedure, because it’s necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may or may not be placed under your skin. These will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.
- Partial or mini-abdominoplasty: Mini-abdominoplasties are done with shorter incisions and are often performed on people who have less excess skin. Your belly button most likely won’t be moved during this type of procedure. Your skin will be separated between the line of incision and your belly button. This procedure generally takes one to two hours. As with the complete abdominoplasty, you may or may not have drainage tubes after surgery.
- Circumferential abdominoplasty: This surgery includes the back area. When there is a lot of excess fat in the back as well as the abdomen, you may have either liposuction of the back or circumferential abdominoplasty. The latter procedure allows for the removal of both skin and fat from the hip and back areas, which improves the shape of your body from all sides.
After your partial or complete tummy tuck, your incision site will be stitched and bandaged. Your surgeon may have you wear an elastic bandage or compression garment after surgery. If so, it’s very important that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions on wearing this garment and caring for the bandage. Your surgeon will also tell you about the best way to sit or lie down so you’ll be in the least amount of pain.
If you’re exceptionally physically active, you’ll have to severely limit strenuous exercise for four to six weeks. Your doctor will advise you on this as you go through the healing process. Generally, one week off work after the surgery is sufficient for most people to recover properly. Again, your doctor will help you determine this.
How should I prepare for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing. If you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. It is not enough to just cut down on smoking. You must completely stop using all forms of nicotine — gum, patches, and e-cigarettes — for at least one month before surgery and for two weeks after. The longer, the better, in terms of the time between when you stop smoking and when you have surgery.
Make sure you eat well-balanced, complete meals. Don’t try to diet excessively before the surgery. Proper nutrition is important to proper healing.
As part of your pre-operative consultation, your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking some of your medications that thin your blood and dietary supplements for a certain period before and after the surgery. This includes aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). You must let your surgeon know if you’re taking any blood thinners.
Make sure you set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area to meet your needs before you undergo the surgery. Your home recovery area should include:
- A supply of loose, comfortable clothing that can be put on and taken off very easily.
- A telephone within easy reach.
- A hand-held shower head and bathroom chair.
RISKS / BENEFITS
What are the complications and side effects of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
As expected, you will have pain and swelling after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medications as needed.
Soreness may last for several weeks. You may also have numbness, bruising and overall tiredness for that same time period.
As with any surgery, there are risks. You may have an increased risk of complications if you have poor circulation, diabetes, heart, lung, or liver disease, or if you smoke. Complications can include:
- Scarring.
- Hematoma (bleeding).
- Infection.
- Seroma (accumulation of fluid).
- Poor wound healing.
- Blood clots.
- Numbness or other changes in sensation
Other complications include:
- Fat necrosis (death of fatty tissue located deep in the skin).
- Wound separation.
- Asymmetry (unevenness or lopsidedness).
RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK
What is the outlook for someone who has had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
Generally, most people love the new look after they’ve undergone this procedure. However, you may not feel like your normal self for months after the surgery. You’ve gone through a tremendous amount to make this happen. It is a big commitment — emotionally, physically, and financially. It’s very important that you follow proper diet and exercise to maintain your new look.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Does insurance cover an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)?
Insurance carriers usually don’t cover elective cosmetic surgery. But your carrier may cover a certain percentage if you have a hernia that will be corrected through the procedure, or if you’ve had surgery for weight loss. It’s extremely important that you begin communicating with your insurance company early on and that you discuss your insurance concerns with your healthcare provider.
In most cases, your provider will write a letter to your insurance carrier, making the case that the surgery is medically necessary (if that applies to you). Insurance may only cover certain portions of the surgery, so make sure you get details. As with any cosmetic surgery, this may affect future insurance coverage for you, and your premiums may increase.
Mini tummy tuck
A mini tummy tuck process removes excess skin and fat in the abdomen region. As a result, a youthful-looking contour is restored in the upper body.
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
This operation removes excess fat and skin that has formed in the abdominal area of the body. Removal of loose tissue during the surgery helps to improve the aesthetic appearance of the abdomen. If you have gone through childbirth, experienced a significant decrease in weight loss, or had a negative encounter with previous abdominal surgery, this can be a preferred surgical procedure for patients.
Your Mini Tummy Tuck Consultation
As the mini tummy tuck surgery involves the removal of excess skin, the operation will be tailored to each individual’s needs. For example, when large deposits of stubborn fat are present, the procedure can be combined with liposuction to provide better results. Your desired results can be achieved so long as you remain open and honest about expectations during the consultation.
Questions will also be asked about your health and lifestyle to help cater the surgery to your needs and avoid any potential risks. This will also help to confirm whether or not an alternative form of surgery may be more suitable.
Mini Tummy Tuck Preparation
To prepare you in the best way possible for your mini tummy tuck surgery, we’ll discuss the best preparation methods prior to your procedure. There are a range of precautions that we advise you to follow.
If you smoke excessively, we recommend you to stop approximately six weeks before your mini tummy tuck surgery as this will help to avoid any complications with your recovery.
To ensure the best results, we strongly advise you to lose any excess weight prior to surgery.
It’s also important to avoid taking aspirin, some herbal supplements and any anti-inflammatory medication which we can discuss in more detail during your consultation.
Around six hours before the surgery avoid drinking or eating as a general anaesthetic will be used during the surgery to help numb any pain. It is expected for you to feel some soreness shortly after the surgery as your anaesthetic wears off but we can relieve this through other forms of health supplements if required.
Although each individual recovers differently from the surgery, we still advise that you give yourself at least two weeks off from your job to fully recover.
What to Expect During the Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery
How long your procedure lasts is dependable on how much excess skin requires to be removed. As only a small amount of skin is required to be removed during a mini tummy tuck surgery, we can expect this to take around one and a half hours.
At the beginning of the surgery, we create an incision around the pubic region just below your naval and how much tissue needs to be removed will ultimately determine the length of this.
A benefit of a mini tummy tuck surgery compared with a full tummy tuck or the Fleur De Lis Abdominoplasty is that it leaves a much smaller scar because the others require removing much more skin.