Tummy Tuck
You might be surprised how many men and women who never considered themselves candidates for plastic surgery decide to have a tummy tuck in Seattle with Dr. Wandra Miles. The fact is, the abdomen is an area of the body that often undergoes significant change during a person's life, whether it's weight gain and loss, pregnancy or simply the effects of genetics and time. For a fortunate few, muscle and skin keep up with the changes. For others, it's a different story. If you're one of the latter, there's no need to blame yourself. It's likely that no amount of exercise and dieting will result in taut muscles and smooth skin. Dr. Miles can make that happen for you.
Find out more about abdominoplasty in Seattle, often called tummy tuck surgery. Request your personal consultation with Dr. Miles in her downtown office on Madison Avenue, or in southern Alaska. She's ready to examine you, listen to your goals and advise you about all your choices.
For the majority of tummy tuck patients, the traditional approach yields the best results. Dr. Miles makes an incision across the lower abdomen from hip to hip, removing pockets of fat, tightening underlying muscles and eliminating excess skin. She will often make an incision around the belly button to reposition it during the procedure. Some men and women with loose skin and muscles confined to the lower portion of the abdomen are candidates for a mini tummy tuck, involving a shorter horizontal incision and leaving the belly button in its original place.
If your goal is to achieve the flat tummy you had years ago, or you're looking to improve on what Mother Nature gave you to start with, abdominoplasty may be the right move.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
A Good Choice for Mommies and Others
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in good overall condition. Most have tried to shape up with diet and exercise and have realized over time that their torso is just not going to respond. Dr. Miles works with weight loss patients who need help resculpting muscles and skin to match their new slim bodies. She also works with many moms whose pregnancies have stretched their tummies to the point of no return. These patients often opt for what's popularly called a "mommy makeover," combining tummy tuck with breast enhancement.
Dr. Miles advises her Seattle patients considering abdominoplasty to think through all aspects of the results they can expect. "You will have a scar," she notes, "there's no way to avoid it." She takes care to place incisions low where scars will be concealed beneath bathing suits and underwear, and they fade with time. And, she notes, "Most patients feel the trade is worthwhile."
If you've decided to choose tummy tuck surgery to feel better about your shape, make another good choice when you select your surgeon. As a board certified plastic surgeon and a person who enjoys outdoor activities herself, Dr. Miles understands the importance of having a physique that reflects your commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
After Abdominoplasty
Recovery and the New You
After your tummy tuck, you'll need to rest and take it easy for about two weeks, then begin resuming light activities gradually until you're ready to go back to work, usually after about three to five weeks depending on the nature of your job. You'll have a compression garment to wear under your clothes for a while to help control swelling and support sensitive areas. And most patients have drains to help reduce fluid build-up for the first several days post-op.
You will probably experience moderate discomfort that can be expected to peak on day two or day three after surgery. Dr. Miles usually suggests her patients use prescription medication for the first few days on schedule to ensure they keep post-operative pain under control. It's normal to feel quite tired for several days after your procedure and to find it difficult to walk completely upright for about a week.
During the second week after surgery, you should begin to feel more like your old self. By the third to fourth week, you can start adding back in many of your normal light activities and you'll start seeing your new figure emerge. You'll soon be able to resume all your activities, with a firmer, shapelier tummy that should last with good care.
Dr. Miles works with abdominoplasty patients in Bellevue, Tacoma, Olympia and Alaska. Find out whether the procedure is for you when you request a consultation online or give us a call at 206-292-6226.
Dr. Miles Answers Your Questions
Is it safe to combine another procedure with abdominoplasty?
Dr. Miles frequently uses liposuction to enhance tummy tuck results. She also combines it with breast enhancement surgery for moms who need some help getting their pre-pregnancy figures back. For the right patient, it's possible to perform eyelid surgery or facelift surgery with a tummy tuck.
Will a tummy tuck get rid of stretch marks?
Some stretch marks, particularly those that are low on the abdomen, will disappear when skin is removed during the procedure. Stretch marks above the tummy tuck area will not be removed; however, when the abdominal skin is tightened they may appear less prominent.
How big is a scar from a mini tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck may require an incision just half the width of your abdomen from hip to hip, but the best way to learn what results you can expect is to request a personal consultation with Dr. Miles. No two patients are alike, and she customizes her procedures to the needs of each one.
What if I hope to get pregnant or lose weight in the future?
It's generally best to have completed your family and be at or near your ideal weight before considering a tummy tuck. The most satisfying, lasting results are achieved for patients whose bodies will not undergo significant change in the future. But there are exceptions to every guideline—come in and discuss your needs with us.
