Home Body Contouring Refine Your Shape

Refine Your Shape

Body Contouring, also known as Abdominoplasty, is a surgical treatment that can help to flatten and form the abdomen and waist by getting rid of excess fat and skin and tightening muscles. The best candidates we encounter in Long Island are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that have not reacted well to exercise and dieting. Body Contouring can also be useful for women with extended skin and muscles from pregnancy, although the results from the procedure will diminish if they continue to bear children. The procedure takes approximately two to five hours and can be performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia with a sedative. Recovery time ranges from two weeks to a few months, but with a balanced diet and regular exercise results are long-lasting. In some instances, body contouring may leave a permanent scar stretching between the hips, although it should be low enough for a bikini to conceal it.

Tummy Tuck Surgery Reshapes Your Midsection

Also known as an Abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. When Dr. Schwartz performs a tummy tuck procedure, the goal is to restore weakened or separated muscles. The result of the abdominoplasty is an abdominal profile that is firmer and smoother.

Some may think that a tummy tuck can be used as a substitution for weight loss or as an excuse not to exercise. Instead, tummy tucks can be an option for times when exercise and weight control methods don’t work.

Reasons for an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

A flat, well-toned abdomen is something that many people desire, but is sometimes easier said than done. Health conscious people may have tried dieting and exercise for years, but still cannot achieve desired results in the abdominal region. There are various reasons why it is not easy to attain a flat, well-toned abdomen. Pregnancy stretches stomach muscles and they may have trouble getting back into shape. An abdominoplasty can help. A person’s body may respond less favorably to dieting and exercise due to aging. A tummy tuck may be a viable option. Significant fluctuations in weight can be a barrier in getting a well-toned abdomen without undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery. Heredity is another reason why some people simply cannot achieve results even when following a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Prior surgery to the abdominal region may make it difficult for people to attain a flat abdominal region. A tummy tuck may be a fitting option for people who fall into this category also. All of these factors mentioned above contribute to the criteria that make individuals good candidates for an abdominiplasty (tummy tuck).

Realistic Expectations for Potential Abdominoplasty Patients

Realistic expectations, as with any other cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, are vital to potential abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) patients. While the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, these results can be greatly diminished if the patient experiences significant future weight gains. While a tummy tuck may be able to improve the appearance of stretch marks, abdominoplasty should not be chosen as a solution to stretch marks.

Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me?

Tummy tuck surgery is not a one size fits all procedure. Like many cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, abdominoplasty is highly personalized. Ideally, potential abdominoplasty patients should be physically healthy and at a stable weight. Patients considering a tummy tuck need to have realistic expectations with regard to the results. Ideal tummy tuck patients must be non-smokers. People with a poor self image that feel that their tummies are too large also make good candidates for abdominoplasty.

About the Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Procedure

The tummy tuck procedure requires a horizontal incision to be made in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. Dr. Schwartz will allow the amount of extra skin present to determine the shape and length of the incision. Through the point of incision, Dr. Schwartz will repair and tighten weakened abdominal muscles. In order to perform a full tummy tuck, Dr. Schwartz will make a second incision in the upper abdomen in the area around the navel. While a tummy tuck will produce a flatter, tighter stomach, depending on the specific case, Dr. Schwartz may recommend liposuction accompanies a tummy tuck to remove excess fat.