Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is one of the most common plastic surgeries in America. This procedure gets rid of loose skin, unwanted fat, and tightens the abdominal wall to provide a flatter stomach. Whether you’ve lost a substantial amount of weight or gone through pregnancy and childbirth, a tummy tuck can restore your body contour.
Our female board-certified plastic surgeon in Tulsa specializes in tummy tucks and details the abdominoplasty procedure from start to finish below.
1: Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
Your way to a smoother abdomen begins with a complimentary consultation with Dr. Schiesel at South Tulsa Plastic Surgery. She’ll discuss the details of the procedure and go over your medical history, current medications, and overall health to see if you’re an ideal candidate for abdominoplasty.
Dr. Schiesel prefers patients have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of under 35. If you’re a smoker, you’ll need to commit to quitting for several weeks before and after your tummy tuck. Medications that thin your blood or slow the healing process can also pose risks. The best candidates have realistic goals and a certain degree of loose skin, unwanted fat, and stretched abdominal muscles.
2: Preparing For Your Tummy Tuck
Follow our Tulsa plastic surgeon’s pre-op instructions and see if you can fill your prescriptions ahead of time, so you don’t have to stress about it after your procedure. You can also prepare your home and household for the recovery process by making and freezing nutritious meals ahead of time and creating an area where you can rest and heal.
3: The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Dr. Schiesel offers two types of tummy tucks—the full abdominoplasty and the mini-abdominoplasty. The complete procedure involves removing loose, sagging skin and stubborn fat from the upper and lower abdomen through three small incisions. Our female plastic surgeon also repositions and tightens stretched abdominal muscles from pregnancy or weight gain, leaving you with a flat, firm figure. The mini tummy tuck focuses on excess fat and skin tissue in the lower abdomen below the belly button.
4: Your Tummy Tuck Recovery
You’ll have some swelling and bruising following your tummy tuck and may require compression garments. Dr. Schiesel recommends taking seven to ten days off of work and taking it easy for the first week. Everyone heals at their own pace so listen to your body and resume activities gradually after three weeks. Dr. Schiesel uses the anti-pain medication, Exparel, which is administered during surgery and provides pain relief for up to four days.
5: Tummy Tuck Results
You’ll notice your contoured abdomen within the first week, but your full results can take several months to settle in because of the long healing process required after an invasive procedure. Read patient reviews about South Tulsa Plastic Surgery and Dr. Brenda Schiesel.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation in South Tulsa
If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, please contact Dr. Brenda Schiesel in Tulsa, Oklahoma today at (918) 518-5144 to schedule your consultation. South Tulsa Plastic Surgery serves patients in surrounding areas including Broken Arrow, Owasso, and Jenks.
