Many people are dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen after pregnancy and weight gain or loss, which can leave loose skin and stretch marks. Dr. Hirschfeld has over twenty-nine years of experience performing his technique of abdominoplasty and believes in creating overall body symmetry.
Click here to view before and after pictures of tummy tuck surgeries.
Is a tummy tuck right for you?
The ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty should be at or near their ideal body weight, not planning any future pregnancies, and should be at a stable weight for at least three to six months prior to surgery.
Types of Abdominoplasty
Dr. Hirschfeld specializes in two different types of tummy tuck procedures:
1) Standard Abdominoplasty
This procedure is ideal for individuals with a moderate amount of fat and skin above and below the belly button, as well as a moderate amount of muscle bulging. Dr. Hirschfeld performs this procedure under general anesthesia in his certified operating room in the Tampa office.
This procedure usually takes two to three hours to perform. Drains are placed in the lower abdomen to prevent fluid build up and are usually removed within three to four days. An incision is made as low as possible (in order to minimize scar visibility) and the excess skin is removed. The abdominal muscle is also repaired and the belly button is repositioned to the center of the tightened abdomen.
Patients are usually able to return to work within one to two weeks. For the first three to four days after the surgery you will have limited mobility. It is important that you drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest in order to ensure a speedy recovery.
2) Mini Abdominoplasty
For individuals who have excess skin and bulging below the belly button, a mini abdominoplasty is the procedure of choice. A much smaller incision is made, and the excess skin from the lower abdomen is removed and tightened. The belly button does not need to be repositioned and no drains are necessary, so recovery is typically faster than that of a standard tummy tuck. Dr. Hirschfeld performs this procedure under general anesthesia and it usually takes one and a half to two hours.
With this minimally invasive procedure, patients can usually return to work within one week. Sutures are removed in increments over a two week period.