Before surgery you will be required to have an initial complimentary consultation, in which, you should share all of your concerns, questions and expectations. Clarify your reasons for desiring a tummy tuck and what you hope will be the outcome. Be certain of the pros and cons and disclose any prior abdominal surgery you have had performed throughout your life while speaking with Kole Plastic Surgery.
Some Important Lifestyle ‘To Do’s’ Before Surgery
- Stop taking specific medications such as: aspirin, NSAIDS, herbal supplements and some others, as directed by Dr. Kole. These raise bleeding risks.
- Keep a consistent body weight for a minimum of two months. A large amount of weight lost after surgery will slightly diminish your aesthetic outcome.
- Do not smoke tobacco, as it slows blood circulation in your entire system and skin, reducing progress with healing. Also, smoking raises the danger of possible tissue damage. Dr. Kole strongly urges that you cease smoking before tummy tuck surgery and throughout your entire recovery, as well as quitting for good.
- Make your plans for assistance during recovery. Arrange for help with driving home after you are discharged from recovery at the outpatient ambulatory center and to remain with you for a minimum of 24 hours after your procedure.
Surgery for a tummy tuck is performed on an outpatient basis. Throughout your surgery, with the use of general anesthesia through an IV tube, you will be asleep, unconscious and comfortable. You will wake up in the recovery room and then rest for an hour or so until you are ready to go home.
Dr. Kole put incisions in your naval area and pubic area horizontally from hip to hip and straight across. He will be getting rid of the majority of extra skin and fat and using permanent stitches for the muscles in your abdominal area that he tightens and brings together.
Your belly button is re-created by placing the tightened skin into a new position. Dr. Kole will then find the natural location and make a tiny incision then stitch the naval area up, along with suturing the incision along your horizontal location. This normally scars straight across the crease that is naturally found along your bikini line. Usually tummy tuck surgery last for 2-3 hours, depending on the extensive work discussed and custom surgical plans decided between you and Dr. Kole.
Once You Are Home
You will go home in a compression garments and surgical dressings that cover your incisions surrounding your abdominal area. Usually there will small drainage tubes at your incision sites used to keep all extra fluids from collecting under your skin. While in bed it is important to have your upper body elevated for the first 48 hours. You and those staying with you are encouraged to see that walking occurs after surgery. Ever so lightly is fine, as long as you do some type to keep your circulation moving. Most patients share that they experience pain, bruising and swelling in the beginning. You will be wearing a compression garment to help support the abdomen. Removal of extra fat, skin and rejuvenation of your loose abdominal muscles provides a new, flattened tummy. Results are wonderful and long lasting.
Please contact The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center at 215-315-7655 to schedule a complimentary consultation with Kole Plastic Surgery. Our Office and Licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center is conveniently located at: [primary_address] Southampton, PA, [primary_state] [primary_postal]
