Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a "tummy tuck", is a surgical procedure that aims to dramatically reduce the size of the abdomen. Abdominoplasty accomplishes this effect by both tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall, and removing excess fat and skin from the abdomen. This procedure accomplishes more in the abdominal region than liposuction can; this is because liposuction surgery is successful only for the removal of localized fat.

There are different types of tummy tuck procedures and the best one for you will be determined by your bod:evolve surgeon at your consultation. A full tummy tuck will remove excess fat and skin both above and below the navel. After the excess fat is removed, the skin is stretched tightly over the abdomen. The plastic surgeon will also pull the muscles together, offering a flatter, more toned abdomen with more muscle definition. The full tummy tuck incision is made horizontally over the lower portion of the abdomen in a discrete location, and will continue to heal over time.

A partial tummy tuck, or mini-tummy tuck, removes skin and fat only below the belly button. The resulting scar is smaller than the scar a patient might have from a complete tummy tuck.

What can I expect if I receive an abdominoplasty procedure at bod:evolve?

With an abdominoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision above the pubic region; our doctors aim to keep the incision under the swimsuit lines, so that it would be invisible to public view. Your doctor will remove excess skin and fat from around the abdomen, and tighten the abdominal muscles by pulling them together and anchoring them in place. If there is a significant amount of loose skin, the doctor may make a second incision near the navel to remove all the excess skin. You will be able to view before and after photos at your initial consultation.

An abdominoplasty is a serious surgical procedure, and as such, the healing process may take a while. While each person's body responds differently to surgery, it may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks before you resume all of your normal activities.

At bod:evolve, we've developed a patented CARE system that will help patients recover faster from major surgical procedures. However, patients about to receive an abdominoplasty must quit smoking a month before their surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, which makes the recovery process a lengthier one. As well, smoking can increase the risk of infection after a major surgery.

As a prospective patient, what should I know about abdominoplasty?

If you are in relatively good shape, but are frustrated by a loose or bulging abdominal region that won't seem to go away regardless of diet or exercise, you may be a good candidate for this procedure. Women who have gone through multiple pregnancies have found this procedure especially helpful; pregnancy often leads to the stretching of the abdominal skin and muscles, stretching which cannot be undone through diet or exercise programs. However, if you are a woman planning on future pregnancy, you should consider waiting before receiving an abdominoplasty, as a future pregnancy might undo the results of an abdominoplasty.

While abdominoplasty will result in a surgical scar, it's possible that other abdominal scars, such as ones received during a Caesarian section, could be improved due to the surgery.

For patients planning to lose a lot of weight, abdominoplasty is best undertaken after any weight-loss regimen is successfully concluded. Were a patient to lose a lot of weight after an abdominoplasty, it may result in further loose skin. As well, it's important to keep in mind that an abdominoplasty is not a surgical procedure for weight loss. Instead, an abdominoplasty was designed to aesthetically sculpt the abdominal area. There are fat-storage areas around the abdomen that are not treatable through either a tummy tuck or a liposuction procedure. An abdominoplasty will not stop you from gaining weight after the surgery.

Abdominoplasty can, however, enhance both your appearance and self-confidence. At bod:evolve, our doctors will talk to you about reasonable expectations for your surgical outcome. As a patient, both reasonable expectations and an active role in your own recovery are essential for a result that you are happy with.

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Colorado plastic surgeon Dr. David R. BroadwayDAVID R. BROADWAY, MD. FACS

Dr. Broadway has been practicing plastic surgery in the Denver area for nearly 17 years, and is one of the few in his field that is triple board certified. His extensive training, kindness, skill and attention to detail in every surgery he performs have earned him the reputation as one of the best plastic surgeons in Colorado. Dr. Broadway is renowned for the symmetry, balance, and beauty of his plastic surgery results... Read more

Denver plastic surgeon Dr. John A. MillardJOHN A. MILLARD, MD

Dr. Millard is a double board-certified Denver area plastic surgeon in private practice in Lone Tree, CO.. He has devoted his life's work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a national and international instructor for LipoSelectionSM only by VASER® and has taught advanced LipoSelection techniques in Portugal, Italy, Columbia as well as here in the United States... Read more


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For exceptional breast augmentation results you want a surgeon with the best training and experience. Performing hundreds of breast augmentation procedures per year has earned Dr. Broadway and Dr. Millard an unsurpassed reputation. Dr. Broadway is recognized nationally by Mentor Corporation as a leading surgeon who performs the most breast augmentation surgeries with Mentor™ MemoryGel Implants throughout the U.S.


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