Posted on May 10, 2010 in Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
At the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is the procedure I select in order to rejuvenate the appearance of the abdomen with lax skin and that usually is protuberant. A major component of this operation involves the elevation, redraping and removal of excess skin employing an incision in the inguinal area that usually extends from hip to hip. This will provide for a firmer and tighter skin envelope but it will not address the bulging out of the underlying tissues.
What is the etiology of this protrusion and how can it be treated? The bulging is caused by laxity and separation of the underlying muscle layers that are most often the consequence of pregnancy, considerable weight loss, aging or a combination of these factors. Most commonly, the increased separation between the rectus abdominis muscles, particularly in women who were pregnant, is responsible for the majority of the bulging. At times the separation can be so significant and the tissues so thin that a ventral hernia develops further exacerbating the deformity. Unfortunately, all the sit-ups in the world will not bring these muscles closer together again – only surgery will.
The solution involves the surgical retightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall in a horizontal direction to variable degrees in order to obtain more feminine contours in women or masculine ones in men. An analogy can be made with tailoring clothes by using hems and pleats so that they fit better. With the skin tightened to firmly drape over the sculpted muscle layer, an alluring appearance can be the result.
Abdomen before surgery - frontal view
After tummy tuck surgery - frontal view
Abdomen before surgery- oblique view
After tummy tuck surgery - oblique view
If you would like more information on an abdominoplasty, liposuction or any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or to schedule a free cosmetic consultation with me, please contact my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
More:
Print This Post
Posted on November 23, 2009 in Breast augmentation, Breast lift (Mastopexy), Breast reduction, Eyelid surgery, Liposuction, Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Just what is a “Mommy Makeover”? You probably have been hearing or seeing this expression used in advertisements recently and wondered what it is. Essentially a “Mommy Makeover” is the correction by plastic surgery of the changes that occur as a result of having children in order to regain a more pre-pregnancy figure. Often, related cosmetic procedures can be performed concurrently to improve one’s overall appearance. Pregnancy permanently affects to variable extents women’s breasts, abdomen and body fat deposition and so these are the areas that are addressed.
Following pregnancy, many women lose some firmness, shape and volume of their breasts which may also become droopy and develop stretch marks. These changes can be further exacerbated by breast feeding with the duration and number of children affecting the outcome. A few women actually have a net increase in breast size though the shape and positioning usually suffer. Procedures that can effectively address these changes include a breast augmentation, breast lift with or without a breast enlargement and a breast reduction.
Permanent changes in the appearance of the abdomen following pregnancy are quite variable among women and are affected by a multitude of factors. The often is some residual degree of laxity of the skin and the underlying muscle layer along with changes in the distribution of fat. Cosmetic procedures that could improve the appearance of the abdomen include a mini tummy tuck, a standard tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction. Liposuction can also be performed elsewhere including the hips, thighs, knees and even back.
The combination of the appropriate cosmetic procedures of the breast and abdomen with or without liposuction performed at one surgical setting constitutes the “Mommy Makeover”. Of course, other procedures such as eyelid surgery can be done at the same time if warranted and indicated. This rejuvenation of one’s body back to a more desirable shape can do wonders for your psyche, self-confidence and sense of attractiveness.
If you would like additional information on breast augmentation, breast lifts, liposuction, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) other cosmetic surgery procedure that I perform or you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, you can contact my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
More:
Print This Post
Posted on October 5, 2009 in Arm lift, Belt lipectomy, Body contouring after Massive Weight Loss, Breast augmentation, Breast lift (Mastopexy), Massive Weight Loss, Panniculectomy, Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
We are in the midst of an unparalleled epidemic of obesity in this country. This is related to a combination of a general overindulgence in food, excessive consumption of foods high in fat and calories, and a more sedentary life style. Many of these people have realized that, for a variety of reasons, this excess weight needed to be shed. Through arduous dieting, exercise often in conjunction with bariatric surgery such as lap banding or gastric bypass they have lost tremendous amounts of weight, often far exceeding 100 pounds.
Success, finally! Celebration? Maybe not quite yet. Despite the massive weight loss that was so difficult to achieve, what many people didn’t anticipate was the permanent consequences on their bodies of first gaining then losing this sizable poundage. The figure that they envisioned following all this effort is not what they are seeing in the mirror. Instead of being slimmed down, contoured and generally smaller, most are left with unsightly deformities consisting of an excess of lax, irregularly contoured stretched skin that frequently cascades in rolls creating hygienic issues and an aesthetic nightmare.
Which areas are affected? From the face on down, the sequelae from massive weight loss may be seen. There is considerable variability among individuals as to the severity and areas that are most affected. Common areas include the abdomen, buttocks, circumferential trunk, inner and outer thighs, breasts, arms and even face and neck.
Fortunately, cosmetic procedures have been designed and refined that can address essentially any and all deformities related to post massive weight loss deformities. Examples of these procedures include abdominoplasties, thigh lifts, belt lipectomies, breast lifts, breast augmentations, arm lifts, face lifts and back lifts. A strategy for body contouring can be uniquely tailored for your individual needs based on your deformities and goals which could be determined at the time of consultation.
If you would like to obtain additional information on body contouring surgery such as for a tummy tuck, belt lipectomy, breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, arm lift and face lift, you can contact my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
More:
Print This Post
Posted on September 21, 2009 in Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is the procedure that improves the appearance of the abdomen by addressing the excess skin with or without tightening of the underlying muscles. There are variations of the procedure including in extent which would depend on your particular situation.
A full or standard abdominoplasty is selected when there is an excess of skin both above and below the umbilicus that is also usually associated with laxity of the abdominal wall muscles. The mini-tummy tuck is essentially an abridged version that is chosen when the skin and muscle issues are localized to the lower abdomen. It is a more limited procedure with less postoperative discomfort and a shorter incision.
The full abdominoplasty typically involves a bikini line incision extending from hip to hip and a second one around the belly button. Skin of the abdomen is elevated up to the rib cage and the excess is precisely removed. The underlying muscle layer is tightened and contoured to yield a flatter, slimmer, more sculptured and complimentary appearance. The umbilicus remains where it was situated originally, being brought through a new opening in the skin.
A mini-tummy tuck incision is much shorter, often extending just past the Mons pubis (hair bearing area) and does not entail a second one placed around the umbilicus. The skin is elevated just to the level of the umbilicus with a more limited amount needed to be removed. Tightening of the muscles is frequently but not always performed and would depend on whether or not there is separation between the muscles or laxity present.
Which procedure is most appropriate for you would be determined at the time of your consultation. If you would like to obtain additional information on tummy tucks, liposuction or any other cosmetic procedure that I perform or to schedule a consultation, you can contact my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
More:
Print This Post
Posted on July 20, 2009 in Liposuction, Panniculectomy, Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Many women request to have the appearance of their abdomens improved but they are not sure what it is that they need. Is it a tummy tuck? Liposuction? Or something else? How does one determine what is best?
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is designed to address the lax skin and muscles of the abdomen. This can involve minor looseness that is confined to the lower abdomen (a mini tummy tuck), lax skin that is present both above and below the umbilicus (standard or full tummy tuck), and major excess of skin that hangs down in rolls (tummy tuck or a panniculectomy). Liposuction is best reserved for women who have localized fat deposits but relatively good skin and muscle tone. Of course, there are some gray areas where either procedure can result in an improved appearance though addressing slightly different issues depending on the patient’s primary concerns. There are also some situations where both liposuction and a tummy tuck should and can be done concurrently and others where I recommend first performing liposuction followed several months later by a tummy tuck.
In order to precisely determine whether a tummy tuck, liposuction or some sort of combination would be most appropriate for you, I would need to see you in consultation. To schedule an appointment regarding an abdominoplasty, liposuction, panniculectomy or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, you can call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
More:
Print This Post
