Tummy Tuck Specialist
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Laughlin Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgeons located in Annapolis, MD
Your body goes through a wide range of changes over the years, and your abdomen is an area where those changes are often very obvious. If diet and exercise aren’t delivering the results you’d like, a tummy tuck is a great aesthetic treatment option, and an area of specialty of Daniel Laughlin, MD, at Laughlin Plastic Surgery in Annapolis, Maryland. Schedule a personalized consultation online or by phone today to learn what a tummy tuck can do for you.
Tummy Tuck Q & A
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that improves the shape and tone of your abdomen. For many men and women, having a toned, tight abdomen is a primary fitness goal, but diet and exercise aren’t always enough to reach those aspirations.
A tummy tuck offers a lasting solution. The procedure removes excess skin and fat and repairs damaged muscle tissue to create a more streamlined and attractive abdominal profile.
Why choose a tummy tuck over liposuction?
Both options can improve the appearance of your abdomen, but there are limitations to what liposuction alone can accomplish. Liposuction works by using suction to manually remove fat from your body. It has no impact on your underlying muscle tissue or skin.
A tummy tuck does involve removing unwanted abdominal fat, but also addresses muscle and skin tissue. The process begins by making an incision to gain access to your abdominal tissues. Dr. Laughlin then carefully separates your skin from the underlying tissues.
He evaluates your current tissue distribution to determine where to make alterations. If your abdominal muscles are separated or damaged, Dr. Laughlin restores them to create a smoother, tighter appearance. He also removes or redistributes fat and other tissue to obtain optimal contouring.
In many cases, your belly button needs to be repositioned during a tummy tuck. The incisions required are hidden inside your navel. The last step is to redrape your abdominal skin and close the incisions.
What is the recovery like after a tummy tuck?
Your body needs time to heal after a tummy tuck, and Dr. Laughlin explains what to expect in detail prior to your procedure. You may have surgical drains that remain in place for a few days after your surgery, and the area will be bandaged to protect the incision lines.
Dr. Laughlin provides a prescription for the medications you’ll need to manage pain and prevent infection. It’s important to take those medications exactly as advised. You’ll also need to follow Dr. Laughlin’s post-operative instructions to keep your healing process moving along.
Expect to wear a supportive undergarment to give your skin and tissues support during the healing process. You may notice some swelling and bruising in the first days or weeks, but it won’t take long before you’ll begin to see the results of your procedure. You should be able to resume normal activities within six weeks of your surgery.
If you’d like to learn more about how a tummy tuck might align with your aesthetic goals, schedule an appointment at Laughlin Plastic Surgery online or by phone today.
