Losing weight can minimize your risk of several serious health concerns and improve your overall well-being. But if you began your weight loss journey to foster a slimmer appearance, you may find that traditional methods alone don’t completely provide the results you’re looking for.
Even when you hit your goal weight, excess skin may remain around the abdomen, especially if you’ve experienced more significant weight loss. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
At DeLozier Plastic Surgery, we can perform an abdominoplasty in Nashville to remove unwanted skin and fat from your abdomen. If you want to sculpt your body for a more defined appearance, read on to learn more about the process.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck,” is a plastic surgery procedure that provides patients with a narrower waistline, a flatter stomach, and an overall slimmer silhouette.
During the procedure, surgeons will extract surplus fat and skin from the treatment area and tighten connective tissue in the waist to contour your midsection. We may also pair this treatment with liposuction for enhanced results.
At our clinic, we prioritize natural-looking results, so although you will notice a significant difference in your appearance following your abdominoplasty, your results won’t look unnatural or artificial.
Is this a weight loss treatment?
No, it isn’t. While an abdominoplasty does remove some excess fat from the patient’s abdomen, we wouldn’t consider it a “weight loss treatment.” Before you sign up for an abdominoplasty in Nashville, we recommend you get within 10 pounds of your ideal weight. But if an abdominoplasty isn’t for weight loss, why would someone elect to receive this procedure?
There are many reasons someone might consider an abdominoplasty. Some women seek to restore their pre-pregnancy body, while others want to remove loose skin from their silhouette after achieving their weight loss goals. The abdomen may also lose definition as a result of the natural aging process, and an abdominoplasty can reverse those physical effects.
Taking the First Steps
If you think you could benefit from an abdominoplasty in Nashville, then sit down with our team for a consultation.
This in-person meeting allows you to speak with our experts about your upcoming procedure and your treatment expectations. We’ll also ask you questions about your medical history and examine your current condition to get a better idea of how we can help you reach your goals.
Our experts recognize that every patient is unique, with their own unique needs. By getting to know you on a deeper level before we begin the procedure, we can ensure that you see the best possible results.
Preparing for Your Treatment
Prior to your abdominoplasty, preparation is key to ensuring a seamless procedure. First, be open and honest when talking with your provider.
Follow all of your surgeon’s recommendations as instructed for medication and supplement usage. Some medications affect how the blood clots, and they can cause excess bleeding during the surgery. We want to prevent any complications during the procedure, so we may ask you to pause on specific medications in the lead up to your abdominoplasty.
The use of tobacco products may impede the healing process, so if you use them, we’ll advise you to stop before your surgery and through your recovery. If possible, we would also recommend you install a handheld showerhead before your treatment.
You won’t be able to submerge the treatment area following your surgery, and standing and balancing in the shower may be more difficult, so a handheld showerhead or a shower chair can make bathing safer and more convenient.
On the day of your procedure, you should also bring a family member or friend to drive you home, as you won’t be able to operate a motor vehicle as you come out of the anesthesia.
The Abdominoplasty Process
When you come in for your treatment we’ll get you checked in, and we’ll give you the opportunity to ask any final questions you may have. Once you feel ready and comfortable, we’ll mark the treatment area and escort you back to the surgical suite.
Our onsite operating facility is AAAA and state-accredited, so you can be sure our facility is of the highest standard.
For one final bit of preparation, we’ll put you under anesthesia, and then we’ll begin the procedure. At DeLozier Plastic Surgery, we perform 2 types of abdominoplasty for different outcomes.
Full Abdominoplasty
A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen. During this procedure, your surgeon will make an incision in the lower waistline and around the navel.
They will then remove fat and skin from the treatment area before tightening the muscles for a slimmer look. This process may take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours in total.
Mini Abdominoplasty
The other option we offer for those seeking an abdominoplasty in Nashville is the mini abdominoplasty. This procedure is so named because it only focuses on a specific area of the abdomen, namely the lower abdomen (also known as the “mommy pouch”).
While the incision for a mini abdominoplasty is smaller, it’s still a major surgical procedure that may last between 1 to 3 hours.
Pairing Abdominoplasty With Liposuction
For the most noticeable results, we may pair your abdominoplasty with liposuction. Liposuction allows us to extract fat from the treatment area, which can be particularly effective for patients struggling with stubborn abdominal fat despite their consistent diet and exercise efforts.
During a liposuction procedure, we will insert a cannula, or a thin, flexible tube, through the incision to reach and suction out deposits of fat. Sometimes, we tip the cannula with a device that can liquify fat for easier removal. We will then extract the fat from the body and tighten the skin for a more contoured appearance.
Recovery Following an Abdominoplasty
Following your procedure, you want to recover quickly and efficiently, and by following your surgeon’s advice, we can make sure you do. There are a number of steps you can take to facilitate a smooth recovery process.
First, it’s important to not only get a ride home from the clinic, but also to refrain from driving until your provider clears it. You also need to avoid any strenuous or intensive exercise for at least 2 weeks following your procedure. Any undue stress on the treatment area may compromise your healing process.
After your surgery, you can eat as soon as you are hungry, but avoid spicy foods for the first day. You will likely need pain medication as you recover, but while you’re on painkillers, you shouldn’t make any important decisions, go to work, drive a car, or drink any alcoholic beverages.
We will give you a compression garment to wear over the treatment area (and under your clothes). Wear this as instructed, as it can minimize swelling, promote circulation, and streamline your recovery.
We may also place a drain in the treatment area to extract any fluids. This will likely be in place for at least 2 to 3 weeks, and your provider will remove it when necessary.
Finally, it’s important to note that antibiotics may render oral birth control ineffective, so you may want to consider alternate birth control methods as you heal.
The Team You Need
As you think about scheduling an abdominoplasty in Nashville, you want to have the right team behind you. When you work with DeLozier Plastic Surgery, you’re working with a team that understands the value of self-confidence and self-care.
We have decades of combined real-world experience, and we’ve seen for ourselves how the right treatment or procedure can help someone feel more confident in their own skin.
And when your best option for addressing aesthetic concerns is plastic surgery, you need a highly qualified team to perform your procedure. When it comes to aesthetic care, you deserve the best, which is why you need DeLozier Plastic Surgery.
Learn More About Our Team
Do you want to learn more about our surgical procedures, like liposuction, otoplasty, or abdominoplasty in Nashville? You would benefit from reading through our custom educational blog. At DeLozier Plastic Surgery, we want to be your guides to a renewed sense of confidence, but we also want to educate you about the science behind your procedure.
When you understand how your treatment works, you can feel more comfortable throughout the process, making things smoother for everyone. We update this blog with new content every month, so there’s always something new to learn.
Redefine Your Contours at DeLozier Plastic Surgery
If you want to get started with your abdominoplasty in Nashville, request a consultation with our team. But if you’re still not sure which of our many treatments is the best choice for achieving your goals, take advantage of our free online treatment planner.
All you need to do is answer the provided questions, and our providers will build out a custom treatment recommendation based on your responses. Get a head start on the journey to a body you love.
