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A
bdominoplasty
(Tummy
Tuck) Consultation/FAQ's
 Removes excess skin, wrinkles and fat and tightens the underlying bulging muscles to reshape and smooth out the abdomen.
Our meeting is the first step in
bringing you closer to feeling good about yourself. It is always
exciting and at the same time anxiety producing when going for
the consultation.
But, congratulations, it is now complete.
My philosophy:
Having been in private practice for over 23 years has allowed me
to fine tune and think about every aspect of your care. I take
great pride in my work and want my patients, you, to be
extremely pleased with your results. How we achieve a content
family of patients is by planning each step of your journey. The
consultation was the starting point. From here we set up a day
of surgery that fits into your schedule. My office staff will
smooth the way for you. You will receive care instructions
before the surgery that outlines what we both can do to improve
your results and make you comfortable before, during and after
surgery. Your prescriptions will also be written for you before
the surgery so you can arrive home and not worry about how to
get your medicines. These will be accompanied by guidelines
informing you how and when to use these medicines.
I will meet you before the surgery and be with you as you are
being sedated. It is my task to look out for your well being,
which I take very seriously. Once the procedure has started my
aim is to do the very best I can for you. I do not rush through
surgery as I wish to be gentle and afford you the best outcome.
I am often asked how long surgery will take. My only answer is
as long as I need for both of us to be satisfied with the
outcome. Rushing though one surgery to get to another is not how
I take care of my patients. Often I will only do one major
surgery a day. Not only have I studied and continue to learn and
grow, but I keep my physical being in excellent condition as
would an athlete prior to their events.
Every patient is important to me. You have entrusted me with
your care and as such I consider you unique. No two surgeries
are ever the same; each is tailored to match your particular
needs. The human form is the highest form of art. Once the
healing has been completed we both will be delighted.
Your care just begins after the end of the surgery. As you
awaken I will remain near to you. Maintaining close a contact
after the procedure, coupled with personalized and frequent
evaluations in my office will help to ensure optimal healing.
Hearing my patients profess a high degree of satisfaction with
the way they look and feel is what drives my office. We look
forward to your joining our satisfied family of patients.
When is the optimal time
for my surgery?
Being in the best shape, mentally, physically and skin wise is
desirable. As the rest of
our body ages, so does the skin. As the rest of our body ages,
so does the skin. The
elasticity and thickness diminish over time, therefore, having a
procedure when
there is a relatively small correction is better than waiting
for a larger undertaking. An
earlier lift lasts longer and gives you added years to look and
feel your best.
Can I have only a mini-Abdominoplasty?
Usually, there is loosening of skin along the entire abdomen. In
order to give an
athletic and natural appearance after surgery the entire abdomen
must be
balanced. A mini-abdominoplasty is only good for small amounts
of skin localized
to the lower abdomen.
Will I stay overnight?
Generally, patients have what is known as a “23 hour stay”. This
means that while
you technically stay overnight, you are not charged for an
overnight visit. Prior to
the surgery, I will place you in a bed that is brought into the
operating room. The
bed is contoured like a chair to take tension off your belly.
The following morning I
will visit you and see you off to your home.
Will I have drains?
There are usually two drains placed in the lower abdomen to
remove fluid that the
body produces. These drains are removed after 5-8 days. They are
easy to care for.
I will give you instructions before leaving the hospital.
Does it hurt to have the drains removed?
You may feel a little pulling but no pain. I will remove them
quickly, with minimal if
any discomfort.
Are there any other treatments that will improve my appearance
and results?
Definitely! Good skin care and the proper skin care products
will get your skin in the
best shape before surgery and maintain it afterwards. We have
superb skin care
aestheticians who will evaluate your skin and recommend the
proper care for you.
Proper diet, exercise, and drinking plenty of water are a must
for good health.
Where is the surgery performed?
HealthSouth Surgical Center or Bridgeport Hospital
What will I need before surgery?
You may be asked to obtain a medical evaluation by your family
physician to
ensure that you are in the best possible shape for surgery. This
will include an EKG
and bloodwork.
Type of Anesthesia:
You are gently put to sleep using general anesthesia so that you
will be comfortable
throughout the operation. Once asleep, I will place a local
anesthetic under the
skin so that you will feel no discomfort, and to minimize the
amount of medicine you
receive during the operation. By putting you to sleep your heart
rate, blood pressure
and levels of oxygen will be optimized. Rest assured that being
asleep for hours is
generally very safe, and the 5-6 hours you sleep will be just
fine.
Will smoking effect my healing?
Yes- Each cigarette’s effects lasts 12 hours on the blood
vessels of the body.
Smoking causes the skin to heal poorly and the complications
associated with
smoking are tremendous. Even second hand smoke during the weeks
before
after and after surgery will adversely affect your results.
Stopping is a must
before and after any operation.
How long will the surgery take?
I take my time and like to be meticulous. This means not rushing
through your
surgery in order to work on another patient. In addition, there
are many things
that must be done before the operation can even start, including
washing and
preparing the area, making sure that your body is well
cushioned, and placing
your legs into special boots in order compress them during the
surgery. I will also
wait around in recovery after the surgery to be certain that all
is going well
before I leave. The surgery itself generally lasts, however,
between 5 and 6 hours.
What can I expect?
The folds of loose skin, bulging fat and loose muscle will be
reshaped and
tightened. Your abdomen will be smoother and tighter, allowing
you to better fit
into clothing again.
Where are the scars?
The scar will run along the lower abdomen and follow the contour
to the hip
bone region. There is also a scar around the umbilicus or belly
button in order to
make it small and thus fit your new shape.
Can the belly button shift?
No one has a perfectly centered belly button. Scar tissue may
pull upon the
belly button and shift it a bit. The umbilical stalk, which is
attached to the belly
button, is not changed. The stalk of the button is short so it
cannot go very far.
How long will I wear a bandage?
At the end of surgery I will wrap a soft, cottony bandage over
your belly and
hold it in place with an elastic binder. You will wear this
binder for 3-4 weeks in
order to keep the swelling down.
When can I shower?
Showering is usually permitted the day after the drains are
removed, but you can
wash yourself prior to this. Baths and hot tubs are not a good
idea for 4 weeks
after surgery so as to keep your swelling down.
Will my belly hurt?
Generally, there is moderate discomfort for the first week that
is relieved with
pain medication that I will prescribe for you. The second week
after surgery the
discomfort is much diminished, and by the third week there
should be no
discomfort. You will note snugness of the belly from tightening
the underlying
tissues that have been loose for so many years. You will also
have a muscle
relaxant to calm down any muscle spasms.
When I can resume activities?
It is best to relax for the first two weeks. Bruising is
variable and usually located in
the lower abdomen or groin. Seeing your best friends after 10
days is fine, but I
would wait at least 2 weeks before meeting new acquaintances, at
which time
you will feel more normal. After 3 weeks you should be almost
back to your old
self, except with a new and improved body. It is not a good idea
to exercise or
increase your heart rate for 3 weeks from the time of surgery.
This will help to
diminish your swelling and improve the rate at which you heal.
Full exercise is
gradually resumed between the fourth and sixth week of surgery.
What can I do to expedite my healing?
We will give you a set of guidelines that tells you what
medicines to stay away
from and which vitamins to take. Do not allow anyone to smoke in
your
presence for weeks. Using ice often, resting, maintaining a low
salt diet and
having a positive attitude all go a long way to assist in your
recovery.
When will I see you again?
I will see you the day after surgery while you are still in the
hospital. Depending
upon the combination of surgeries, you will re-visit the office
within 4-8 days.
There will be multiple visits (which are included in your care)
to evaluate your
progress and support your healing needs. You will see me weekly
in the office for
3-6 weeks in order to check on your healing.
Are there any additional fees to what was quoted?
If the surgery takes a bit longer (as there is never a rush),
you may owe a bit more
for the operating room and anesthesia. However, if future
surgery or procedures
are necessary there will be additional fees for anesthesia, the
operating room
and the surgeon.
Conclusion:
My staff and I will strive to take the best care of you. We
appreciate your trust
and confidence in us and do not take it lightly. My aim is to
tighten and tone
your body. Will it not be nice to wear clothing that fits and
not have a bulging
belly? Looking as good on the outside as you feel on the inside
is what we will
accomplish together.
If you have additional questions we are available to answer
them.
Jeffrey S. Rosenthal, M.D.
There are life experiences and there
are life altering ones!
Which do you desire?
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