Dr. Orseck is a board-certified surgeon specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery and general surgery in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Dr. Orseck began his career in medicine when he earned his medical degree...
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Tummy Tuck Spartanburg | Greenville
Women and men who have loose abdominal skin and excess fat that is concentrated in the abdominal area can benefit from abdominoplasty. For some, this condition is inherited. For others, substantial weight loss may cause abdominal skin to become flaccid, especially those that are located below the waistline.
Commonly combined with liposuction to resculpt problem areas such as love handles, the upper abdomen and thighs, a tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia will usually last from two to three hours.
The ideal candidates for the tummy tuck procedure are those who are in overall good health, who have a stable weight, and for women who have completed childbearing and who have realistic expectations for the results of an abdominoplasty.
During the procedure, Dr. Orseck makes two incisions around the area of the navel. He then separates the skin from the abdominal muscles, and excess fat is removed. Next, the abdominal muscles are pulled together and stitched into place. The skin is then stretched over the muscles to create the final taut appearance and trimmed, and the incision is closed. In cases where it is necessary for the optimal results, the navel is relocated and sutured into place.
The day after surgery, Dr. Orseck will advise you to get out of bed for short walks to increase your blood circulation which promotes the healing process. Do not be alarmed if you are unable to stand completely straight. It is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Any surgical drains probably will be removed by Dr. Orseck within a week following surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or removed. Depending on the abdominoplasty technique used by Dr. Orseck, he may instruct you to wear a support garment for several weeks. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately one or two weeks.
You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. The bruising and much of the swelling will disappear over a period of weeks. However, it may be months before all swelling subsides and you see the final result of your abdominoplasty. You may also notice some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear to worsen before they finally begin to fade.
When can I return to my normal lifestyle?
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals. Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from one to three weeks after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to Dr. Orseck immediately.
