Tummy Tuck in Rockford, IL
Excess skin can get in the way of having a flat tummy. While diet and exercise are unsuccessful at eliminating loose skin, surgery can help. Abdominoplasty, better known as tummy tuck, is a popular plastic surgery that removes the extra skin to achieve sleeker contours. Rockford plastic surgeon Dr. Pedro Rodriguez performs this surgery to restore firmness and smoothness to the stomach.
The Pedro Rodriguez Difference
Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is an elite plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in breast, body and face procedures. Merging advanced techniques with his keen eye, he produces transformative results for his patients that are both attractive and natural-looking.
Patients in Rockford choose Dr. Rodriguez because of his outstanding surgical skills and attentive care. Through decades of experience, he understands precisely how to rejuvenate the face and achieve appealing breast and body contours. He takes pleasure in helping his patients build confidence by reaching their aesthetic goals.
Candidates for Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is usually performed on patients who have been pregnant or lost a significant amount of weight. If the skin is not elastic enough, it will not retract to fit the new shape of the stomach once that weight comes off. A tummy tuck is the most effective way to address the loose skin that creates a muffin top in this midsection.
The ideal candidates are non-smokers in good overall health. They should be close to their goal weight so that they can maintain the contours after surgery. Women who intend to get pregnant in the future may wish to postpone tummy tuck as pregnancy will stretch the skin all over again, negating the results.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
First, patients receive general anesthesia so that they remain comfortable and unconscious during the surgery. Next, Dr. Rodriguez makes a horizontal incision slightly above the pubic area. This location is selected so that scarring can be easily concealed with a swimsuit. Through this incision, he removes excess skin and fatty tissue. Many patients also have abdominal muscles that have shifted apart. To restore definition to the abdomen, Dr. Rodriguez tightens the abdominal wall by suturing the musculature back together.
Dr. Rodriguez pulls the remaining skin taut so that it drapes smoothly over the stomach’s new contours. Often, he must create a new hole for the belly button so that both the size and location look natural on the stomach. Dr. Rodriguez may also combine liposuction with tummy tuck to further improve the contours and remove lingering pockets of fat.
Tummy Tuck Recovery and Results
Tummy tuck surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning that patients return home for rest and relaxation on the same day as their surgery. Activity, including exercise and work, should be postponed for a couple weeks to allow the stomach time to heal. Patients should always wear a compression garment to help accelerate the healing process and minimize the risk of infection and other complications.
Scarring is an inevitable part of tummy tuck surgery. Although the scar will fade a bit with time, it will remain visible forever. Because Dr. Rodriguez makes his incision near the bikini line, the scar should remain hidden so long as the patient is partially clothed.
A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that provides long-lasting results. Patients can enjoy their new contours for the rest of their lives if they maintain a steady weight. Gaining weight or becoming pregnant will cause the skin to stretch again.
Make an Appointment
Dr. Rodriguez is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has helped patients to attain sleek, firm contours around their abdomen. To discuss whether tummy tuck is the right approach to achieve your personal goals, please contact his office to schedule a consultation.
