What Exactly Happens During Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Many prospective tummy tuck patients have heard that the surgery can help them to achieve a flatter stomach, but they have no idea precisely what the procedure entails. There are four main components to most tummy tuck surgeries, the combination of which creates one terrific result. So that his patients understand the entirety of the procedure, Dr. Carlos Chacon of Divino Plastic Surgery shares what exactly he does during tummy tuck surgery.

Fat Reduction

The belly is one of the spots on the body where fat clings most stubbornly. In your younger years, you may have found it easy to exercise and diet away stomach flab, whereas now you notice, disappointedly, that the flab sticks to your abdomen despite your better efforts. To remove these unwanted fat deposits, Dr. Chacon will perform liposuction. After making tiny incisions near the fat, he inserts a cannula to suction out the fat cells. The best news is that the fat cells removed during this process are gone forever — so long as you maintain a steady weight thereafter.

Skin Tightening

For many, the main appeal of tummy tuck is its ability to resolve unwanted skin issues. As you age, your skin becomes less elastic, which can lead to sagging, particularly around the abdomen. During tummy tuck, Dr. Chacon excises the extra skin along your belly and then sutures the remaining skin to create a tight, smooth appearance, free of stretch marks. While liposuction can pull out fat deposits, it does nothing for the sagging skin it leaves behind, which is why tummy tuck is an essential part of reestablishing a flat and firm tummy.

Muscle Repair

The muscles along your abdominal wall are surrounded by fascia, a tissue that connects the muscles to one another. When the stomach gradually enlarges due to pregnancy or steady weight gain, your muscles and fascia are stretched into a new position. Whereas muscles will snap back into place when that weight goes away, the comparatively inelastic fascia will not. Consequently, the abdominal wall become laxer, usually characterized by muscle separation that is considered less attractive.

Dr. Chacon fixes this muscle separation by suturing the rectus muscles back together. Once sutured, the muscles provide structure for the flatter, firmer tummy that the patient desires.

Repositioning the Belly Button

If a large amount of skin is removed from the abdomen during tummy tuck, your newly tightened skin can significantly diminish if not outright eliminate your belly button. When this occurs, Dr. Chacon will use an incision to recreate a youthful belly button in its place, so that your midsection remains attractive and looks completely natural.

Discuss the Procedure in Greater Detail

Dr. Chacon is one of San Diego’s finest plastic surgeons and has achieved marvelous abdominal results for his tummy tuck patients. If you are interested in learning what changes Dr. Chacon can make to your stomach, please schedule a consultation at (858) 633-7546.