TUMMY TUCK WITH DR. JILES IN SARASOTA, FL
Pregnancy, frequent weight loss or gain, lifestyles, environmental factors, and medical conditions all contribute to excess skin, fat, and the separation of the abdominal muscles. This can lead to the “pouch” appearance of the lower belly, a protruding stomach, or hanging loose skin. In these cases, a tummy tuck performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Emily Jiles can create a tightened and flatter appearance to the stomach. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jiles of Sarasota Surgical Arts offers tummy tuck procedures to Sarasota and the nearby Tampa, Florida areas.
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and can tighten the abdominal muscles to provide a more toned appearance to the stomach. For the best results, abdominoplasty is often combined with other surgical procedures, such as liposuction or a breast augmentation.
It is commonly believed that a tummy tuck is a weight loss procedure and that it can help you lose pounds of fat. In truth, ideal candidates for the surgery are within twenty five pounds of their goal weight. While you may naturally lose some weight due to the removal of extra skin or uneven fat deposits, a tummy tuck is a step in a weight loss journey, rather than the entire journey itself.
A tummy tuck treats only the cosmetic features of your abdomen that a realistic diet and exercise regimen cannot fix. When lifestyle changes do not bring you the results you want, or they have brought great results and you need skin removal or toning, a tummy tuck can present the solution.
Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck
Liposuction and a tummy tuck can achieve similar results. However, these two procedures are different in their approaches to toning the stomach and while nearly every tummy tuck candidate can benefit from liposuction, many liposuction candidates do not need a tummy tuck.
In general, liposuction is preferred for patients who have some fat deposits in the abdomen, but very little to no extra skin. If you have stretched or excess skin in the abdomen, a tummy tuck will likely offer you the best results. While liposuction can remove fat from the area, if extra skin is present or if the skin is too loose, you will still see sagging and possibly a “pooch” appearance. This is why cosmetic surgeons like Dr. Jiles often recommend a tummy tuck for those with a high amount of skin laxity.
Additionally, many patients first seek out liposuction because it has smaller incisions and less recovery overall. However, with excess skin, it is likely liposuction alone will not provide the results you want.
TYPES OF TUMMY TUCK
Not all tummy tucks in Sarasota utilize the same technique. The type of tummy tuck that Dr. Jiles performs will depend on your unique anatomy, goals, medical and personal history. Past pregnancies, surgeries, and other factors can all contribute to the type of tummy tuck that will best serve your needs.
The best way to know if a tummy tuck and which type is right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jiles at Sarasota Surgical Arts where she can examine and evaluate you to create a customized tummy tuck plan.
Mini:
A mini tummy tuck corrects the abdomen below the belly button. Usually, the incision and scar from a mini tummy tuck is shorter. This type of abdominoplasty is best suited for those who need only a mild correction or skin removal. Otherwise, no difference exists between the mini and standard tummy tuck. The two procedures simply denote different amounts of needed correction and results.
Standard:
The standard tummy tuck refers to the most well known type of tummy tuck procedure. With the incision running just below the panty line, and sometimes hip-to-hip, the standard tummy tuck removes skin, fat, and often repairs the abdominal muscles. This can lead to a more toned and athletic look.
Extended:
An extended tummy tuck, as the name implies, extends the amount of correction to your sides and sometimes the love handles or flanks. For patients who need more extensive skin removal, this procedure can offer the best results. While this often yields the best results, it comes with the largest scar and longest recovery. Dr. Jiles can best determine if you could benefit from an extended tummy tuck, or if a standard or mini will better help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
BEFORE AND AFTER: TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE
A Sarasota tummy tuck is a highly customized procedure that is unique to every individual patient. Dr. Jiles strives to make seeking cosmetic surgery a pleasant and effortless experience. Researching tummy tuck surgery and surgeons takes time and can mean that finally undergoing your procedure can be months or years after initially deciding to pursue an abdominoplasty.
Consultation
During your consultation at Sarasota Surgical Arts with Dr. Jiles, she will want to understand your motivations for the procedure and what you want for the end result. She will inquire about your medical history, including current medications, past pregnancies, and serious health conditions. This will help her determine your individual risk of undergoing a tummy tuck and if you are a good candidate.
Following your conversation, Dr. Jiles will conduct a physical examination of your abdomen. She will look for the amount of excess skin and fat you have and whether you could benefit from a tummy tuck procedure. Upon deciding that a tummy tuck could achieve your goals, Dr. Jiles will work with you to create a customized care and surgical plan for your tummy tuck. She will likely recommend the type of tummy tuck that will yield you the best results and is compatible with your health.
Surgery
On the day of your tummy tuck in Sarasota, Dr. Jiles will review your surgical plan with you and may make marks to guide her during surgery. Next, a board-certified anesthesiologist will place you under general anesthesia.
To begin surgery, Dr. Jiles will make an incision below the panty line. As mentioned above, the length of your incision will depend on the amount of correction required and the type of tummy tuck. Through this incision, Dr. Jiles will remove extra skin and fat. She may utilize liposuction to suction away fat with less trauma to the body.
To finish up the procedure, she may perform muscle plication which tightens and repairs the abdominal muscles. This can lead to a more toned, fit look. While part of most tummy tuck procedures, muscle plication is not always necessary.
If a standard or extended tummy tuck is performed, Dr. Jiles will reposition the belly button so that it looks more natural on your new abdomen. This is not necessary during a mini tummy tuck because it corrects only the lower stomach below the belly button. After this final step, Dr. Jiles will suture the incision.
Recovery
Your tummy tuck recovery is a unique process that Dr. Jiles will guide you through. Based on the extent of your Sarasota tummy tuck and your health, she will give you personalized recovery instructions. Customarily, Dr. Jiles will prescribe pain medication to help ease the first few days after surgery and recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for a number of weeks.
The amount of time you will need from work and various activities varies based on the job you have and how you respond after surgery. In general, you can expect at least a week to two weeks off work, but Dr. Jiles can provide a more accurate recovery timeline after your consultation and surgery. If you have a physical job, you may require more time off work. Heavy lifting and exercise are limited. Therefore, you should make arrangements for child care and have someone to help around the house for this time period.
Side effects you can expect after surgery include: pain, swelling, tightness, and difficulty standing upright. All of these side effects are normal and should subside within the first few weeks. Dr. Jiles will provide a compression garment which can help reduce swelling and promote a good final result. Finally, you should get up and walk slowly and carefully each day to prevent blood clots and promote circulation.
WHAT CAN I DO TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE MY RESULTS?
Immediately after tummy tuck surgery, you will notice a difference in the look of your stomach area. However, swelling and fluid retention during your recovery mean that it may take a few months for your final results to set in. With an abdominoplasty, it is not uncommon for swelling to last up to three months post surgery.
When you do see your final results, patients often worry they will not keep them. Luckily, if you follow a healthy diet and exercise routine, you can maintain your tummy tuck results.
However, large weight losses, gains, or pregnancy can undo your results. Most of the time, Dr. Jiles recommends having a tummy tuck after having all your planned children. Also, if you are currently losing weight, it is best to get to or just above your weight loss goal before seeking out tummy tuck surgery.
Will The Scar Be Visible?
Dr. Jiles takes every precaution to minimize future scarring during surgery. Patients often worry about their tummy tuck scar and Dr. Jiles understands this worry. The tummy tuck incision is placed below the panty line, which means that underwear and swimsuits should cover the scar.
Following your recovery instructions and caring for the incision site, can help reduce the appearance of your scar. In her post-operative instructions, Dr. Jiles will provide a protocol to keep the incision clean and prevent major scarring.
SARASOTA’S PREMIER TUMMY TUCK SURGEON
Dr. Emily Jiles is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. She completed and received cosmetic training in New York City and Miami where she refined her skills. Dr. Jiles uses the most advanced surgical techniques and continues her education so that she can offer the best procedures and results to patients.
Dr. Jiles of Sarasota Surgical Arts performs her tummy tucks in an accredited surgical facility. Using state-of-the-art equipment, she offers tummy tucks to the Greater Sarasota and Tampa, Florida areas. Dedicated to patient care and results, Dr. Jiles will lead you through every step of the surgical process.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Jiles at Sarasota Surgical Arts, call us at 941-923-1736 or contact us using the form on the sidebar.