Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Denver, Colorado

Tummy Tuck w/ Modern 360

Tried every diet and exercise to flatten that tummy? Ashamed of wearing that bikini or that new crop top you bought because of a chubby tummy? Lost countless pounds of weight but that pouch is still sticking around? We’ve been there! And we know exactly how to help.

Modern Surgical Arts of Denver understands that if you are not comfortable in your skin, it makes it harder for you to put your best foot forward. Conditions such as these can severely affect your self-esteem, self-confidence, and how you socialize — and no one likes to feel that way. That’s why we are here to help you fight back.

Despite healthy eating habits and gym visits, sometimes that belly just won’t budge; but with a Tummy Tuck, you can get rid of all that pesky fat and gain confidence the boost you deserve.

You can peruse all the information we have compiled below and visit our offices at any time for a consultation, where we will help you to assess your needs and the risks associated with the procedure. We’ll help you make the right choice to achieve your cosmetic goal. Our experts are extremely experienced and waiting to help you get the body that you deserve.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A Tummy Tuck is a cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the abdomen. During a Tummy Tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen and connective tissue in the abdomen is usually tightened as well. A Tummy Tuck can remove loose and excess skin and fat and tightened weak fascia.

Who is a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

In order to be a candidate for an abdominoplasty should:

  • Be in good general health
  • Carry excess weight in the mid-section
  • Have loose or droopy skin around the abdomen
  • Commit to maintaining the results with a stable diet and regular exercise

Abdominoplasty hopefuls should not:

  • Smoke
  • Have serious medical conditions
  • Plan to become pregnant
  • Plan to lose a significant amount of weight

In the end, a good candidate for this procedure is an adult who is not far from their ideal body weight, with an abdominal area that has not quite responded to diet and exercise.

Other prospective Abdominoplasty patients include:

  • Those who were pregnant or underwent a C-Section – pregnancy stretches the skin and separates the abdominal muscles; diet and exercise can be inadequate in tightening the abdominal area following childbirth.
  • Those who have had significant weight loss – people who have lost a vast amount of weight can be left with undesirable aesthetic effects, like sagging skin and overstretched abdominal muscles.
  • Those who are going through the ageing process – as we age, the skin loses its natural elasticity, and muscles gradually weaken. This has an impact on the abdominal region, resulting in a flabby midsection.
  • Those who inherit it through genetics – for some people, the condition of their abdominal region is largely determined by genetics. Even a person in their 20s or 30s may be genetically predisposed to abdominal roundness.

The Consultation

Once a client has chosen Modern Surgical Arts of Denver for their cosmetic surgery procedure, they are provided with a personalized consultation. This is where the doctor will assess the patient’s medical history to determine their candidacy for the abdominoplasty and put steps in place to reduce risks. It is very important for patients to remain honest and thorough when discussing their past and present medical history. Although medical conditions do not exclude patients from the procedure, the doctor may need to take extra precautions to accommodate their health needs.

Once the surgeon understands the patients’ needs, they can discuss the aesthetic goals for the procedure and determine the right treatment for the patients’ needs. It is a point of importance for clients to note that insurance companies do not usually cover cosmetic surgery that is performed without a medical reason; you should always consult your insurance provider before cosmetic procedures to be mindful on what procedures are covered and which ones are not.

Types of Tummy Tucks

We provide several types of abdominoplasties and our board-certified cosmetic and plastic surgeons will help each client choose the best one for their needs. These options include:

Traditional Abdominoplasty

These are the most commonly performed tummy tuck procedure because they address the patient’s entire abdominal area and often involve  the belly button to ensure natural results. They are also commonly paired with abdominal liposuction.

Mini Tummy Tucks

These are for patients who are within 10% of their ideal body weight and are content with making changes to only the part of the abdomen that is below the navel. They only require a small incision and usually do not involve repositioning of the navel. It is less dramatic than a traditional tummy tuck but also boasts a shorter recovery time.

Endoscopic Tummy Tuck

This surgery is performed on patients with weakened abdominal muscles, very little abdominal fat, and no noticeable loosened skin around the stomach area. They involve the use of a tiny camera attached to a slender tube, which is inserted into the site of incision. It results in the least possible scarring because the incisions only need to be large enough to allow for the insertion of the endoscope and the surgeon’s tools.

Extended Tummy Tuck

This involves the removal of love handles on either side of the waist, as well as the removal of fat and excess skin from the stomach area. The incision is usually low and will not be visible. This procedure allows for the treatment of a larger area than the traditional tummy tuck.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

This is a type of body lift; they are often sought by patients who have to undergo gastric bypass surgery. The scars for this type of procedure extend to the back.

Before the Tummy Tuck

There are certain steps a patient should take to ensure low risks and a speedy recovery. These include:

  • Keeping a healthy diet before the procedure
  • Begin a regular exercise routine in the weeks leading up to the surgery
  • Stop smoking for at least two weeks before the surgery – smoking constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen flow
  • Discontinue medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, garlic supplements, green tea extracts, and any medications containing aspirin up to 5 days before the procedure
  • Be sure to take or apply for leave from work and arrange a ride home from surgery
  • Assemble all the supplies you will need during recovery

The Procedure

The procedure is performed using either general or local anesthesia; most surgeons perform the surgery while the patient is completely unconscious, as this allows the abdominal muscles to be completely relaxed. The surgery itself takes several hours to complete, depending on the procedure that is being done. The number and length of incisions also depend on the procedure being performed, and most tummy tucks involve changing the position of the navel in order to make the tightened skin appear more natural.

Following the abdominoplasty, the skin is stretched down and the excess skin is trimmed away. When the surgery is complete, the skin is sutured with surgical stitches — with these in place new skin cells will coalesce at the site of incision, closing the wound over time. A surgical drain will be inserted when the stitches are put in place; this speeds up the healing process and often alleviates the pain from the buildup of fluids underneath the skin.

Can a Tummy Tuck be combined with other procedures?

A Tummy Tuck can vary from patient to patient, and for more comprehensive results they can be combined with a number of procedures, including:

Risks of a Tummy Tuck

As with many surgical cosmetic procedures, a Tummy Tuck poses various potential risks. Below are several side effects and risks that should be taken into consideration before pursuing the procedure. This information is being presented to assist our clients in making an informed choice — all of our clients and prospective clients are always encouraged to ask as many questions regarding different procedures as they deem necessary during the consultation.

The risks and side effects are as follows:

  • Fluid accumulation underneath the skin
  • Poor wound healing
  • Unexpected scarring
  • Adverse reaction to amnesia
  • Blood clots
  • Infection
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Tissue damage
  • Tissue death
  • Reduces sensation
  • Numbness

Will the treatment and recovery hurt?

A Tummy tuck is usually very well tolerated and the most intense of the pain will be felt in the first few days following the surgery. Your abdominal area will be swollen for the first week and the skin in the area will be mostly numb for several weeks or even months. Feeling will return slowly and it will take five to six weeks for your energy to replenish.

Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

A Tummy Tuck is accompanied by a long list of benefits, as long as you eat right and exercise consistently following recovery. These benefits include:

  • An improved appearance
  • Enhanced confidence
  • Excess skin removal
  • Tighter abdominal muscles
  • Improved self esteem

Choosing a Health Care Provider

A qualified surgeon should possess at least five years of medical training, and patients should ensure that the doctor operates in a fully accredited center. Modern Surgical Arts of Denver provides all this and much more to all of our patients. By choosing a facility such as ours, where we house highly experienced cosmetic  plastic surgeons and staff, the chance for operational and post-operational complications are significantly lower.

It is always important to find a health care provider who is qualified and in the procedure you are interested in undergoing. Thanks to our dedication and passion, over the years we have perfected our craft and are able to offer the highest quality surgical and non invasive cosmetic treatments available on the market today.

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