Tummy Tuck Cosmetic Surgery | Salt Lake City, UT

tummy tuck salt lake city utahAbdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a “tummy tuck,” is a procedure designed to tighten sagging belly skin. NuVista Plastic Surgery near Salt Lake City, UT, offers tummy tuck surgery for people with drooping stomach skin that results from weak abdominal muscles, significant weight loss or pregnancy. Both weight gain and pregnancy cause the skin of the abdomen to stretch, which leaves people with excess skin that no amount of diet or exercise can get rid of. If this sounds like you, tummy tuck cosmetic surgery is the best choice because there are no lasers or products on that market that will have the same outcome. This procedure is really the gold standard in removing skin and fat while also contouring the waistline.


Learn More: One Woman’s Tummy Tuck Story


With tummy tuck surgery, the abdominal wall muscles are tightened with sutures, split muscles are sewn back together and excess fatty tissue and skin are removed to improve the body contour. The goal is a narrower, flatter stomach, however you should have realistic expectations going in. As with any plastic surgery procedure, you will get the best results when you are close to your goal weight, so it’s still important for patients to have proper exercise and dieting. For best results after a tummy tuck procedure, you should ideally be within 15 pounds of where you want to be. Dr. J. Dayne Petersen also considers age, obesity and smoking habits when evaluating a candidate for this procedure.


Learn More: Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks


Before the Tummy Tuck Surgery

Our plastic surgeon will learn about your complete medical history and conduct a careful examination to evaluate your overall health. Ideally, the tummy tuck patient who visits our Salt Lake City, UT, office has few health problems, and wishes only to remove an excess deposit of fat or loose abdominal skin. Patients on a weight-loss plan should be close to their target weight before having the tummy tuck cosmetic surgery operation. Women planning future pregnancies should also delay abdominoplasty, as pregnancy may promote further skin stretching.

To help you see your progress, photographs will be taken before and after your tummy tuck surgery. Antibiotics will be prescribed prior to surgery to prevent infection, while aspirin should be avoided in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Thinner blood has a harder time clotting and can make it easier to bleed after surgery, so don’t take medicines like Ibuprofen, Advil, Excedrin and other similar medications that thin the blood.


Learn More: How to Know If a Tummy Tuck is Right For You


What is a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

When you undergo an abdominoplasty, you’re put under general anesthesia for a surgical procedure that typically takes 2-5 hours, depending on your overall condition. Unless medical conditions require surgery in a hospital, your tummy tuck procedure will be done in our AAAASF certified operating suite and you’ll go home the same day. Tummy tuck cosmetic surgeries are most commonly performed by making a U-shaped incision below one hipbone, across the pubic area and under the other hipbone. A second incision is made around the navel to separate the skin from the abdominal wall, lift it up to the hipbone and expose loose tissue covering the abdominal muscle. Loose, stretched out muscles are tightened with sutures, excess skin and fat are removed and the skin is lowered over the abdomen. The final steps of a tummy tuck surgery are to reconstruct the navel and suture together the incisions. After surgery, you’ll eliminate built up fluid through an inserted drain.

What to Expect in Tummy Tuck Recovery?

You may experience some discomfort and swelling that may last 6-8 weeks following your tummy tuck procedure, which can be controlled with pain medication. You will be given special instructions for showering as well as changing your dressings and you may also be required to wear a support garment for as many as 6 weeks. The speed of recovery depends on your physical condition prior to tummy tuck cosmetic surgery, so those with stronger abdominal muscles usually recover faster.

We recommend that our patients allow at least 1-2 weeks to recuperate before returning to work. Some scarring is also normal after a tummy tuck surgery and you will receive instructions on how to help your scars fade, which usually begins to happen 9-12 months after. Though the recovery period is longer for an abdominoplasty than for other cosmetic procedures, the rewards are great for a patient who wants to change the contours of their waistline. Those who follow a proper exercise routine and healthy diet will benefit the most from tummy tuck cosmetic surgery.

Contact Us for a Consultation

If you’re ready to speak with our experienced plastic surgeon, call NuVista Plastic Surgery at 801.261.5791. We will schedule a consultation in our offices near Salt Lake City, UT, so you can see if a tummy tuck procedure is right for you.


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