Dr. Angelo Cuzalina on the Basics of the Tummy Tuck

Often after pregnancy or significant weight loss, patients may experience lax abdominal skin that results in bulging due to abnormal stretching of the muscles and skin. The tummy tuck is cosmetic surgery designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen and, at the same time, tighten the abdominal muscles. 

Liposuction surgery is primarily the removal of fat, whereas a tummy tuck operation involves the removal of skin and fat, which then tightens the abdominal muscles, making it a more extensive surgery than liposuction.

If you are a patient with bulging muscle and excess fat, and your skin is relatively tight, you may benefit from an endoscopic abdominoplasty, a surgery for patients with good skin tone but have underlying muscle that is bulging, causing abdominal discomfort.

The length of each surgery will depend on the amount of excess skin on a patient, as well as the laxity of the abdominal muscles.

Tummy tuck surgery is usually carried out under general anesthesia. Before the surgery, the surgeon carefully marks the amount of skin that needs to be removed. 

After applying anesthesia, an incision is made in the bikini line, and the excess skin is then pulled down and inward, to be removed along with underlying fatty tissue. As required, the muscles are tightened, skin is carefully re-draped and dissolvable sutures are used to close the small incision.

Some tummy tuck surgeries will include a circular incision around the belly button depending on the amount of skin removed. The belly button is not removed, but patients may notice some difference since the surrounding skin around the belly button will now be tighter after the tummy tuck.

After tummy tuck surgery, patients are required to wear a comprehensive girdle and stockings for several weeks. Patients may experience considerable discomfort for several days, but will likely resume limited activity after a couple of days. There are risks that are involved in any surgery. Because there is risk of possible blood clots deep in the legs that can spread to the lungs or partial lung collapse, it is important for patients to begin movement promptly after surgery even if it is uncomfortable.

Serious complications can arise such as infections that can result in skin loss, fat necrosis or scarring, so it is important to follow all recovery instructions given to you by your surgeon. Complications can results in the need for additional corrective surgery.

Although it is hidden, there is a sizable scar from the surgery that may thicken or widen, requiring later revision. It may take many months for the scar to fade to its final appearance, and it is not abnormal for scars to be somewhat widened or irregular.

Overall, tummy tuck operations can be very gratifying, often resulting in relief of functional symptoms such as lower back pain and abdominal discomfort after having the surgery.

About Dr. Angelo Cuzalina

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina  is board certified by two surgical boards, which include the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, for body, breast and facial surgery, as well as the Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. His dedication to continued training and education along with a gift for the “art” of aesthetic surgery has allowed Dr. Angelo Cuzalina to become a leader in the field of cosmetic surgery.

Over the last decade  Dr. Angelo Cuzalina  has performed over 10,000 cosmetic surgery procedures, and has a special interest in body contouring after massive weight loss that occurs following bariatric surgery.

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina  and his patients are fortunate to have well trained and select surgeons to compliment his practice. Currently, his surgery center is considered to be one of the finest in the country, and is truly personalized for an experience that the most discriminating patient will appreciate. Dr. Angelo Cuzalina believes that his success is due not just from results, but the patients’ correct perception that he absolutely wants the best for them and is willing to go the extra mile to help make his patients happy.

Contact Information

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina

Cosmetic Surgeon

Tulsa Surgical Arts

Contact via E-mail