There are several different options for addressing concerns with the abdomen and it can be difficult to know which is right for you. We are proud to offer every option for you here at MidAmerica Plastic Surgery. Above is a flow chart that may help point you in the right direction.
We also wanted to provide more information about each procedure option.
Tummy Tuck
A Tummy Tuck, or abdominoplasty, is one of Dr. Diederich’s most commonly performed procedures. This surgery addresses skin laxity in the abdominal region. The procedure includes an incision that will be from hip to hip. Dr. Diederich will place the scar in a position that is usually covered by a swimsuit or undergarments. The skin between your belly button and that incision will be removed and you will receive a new hole for your belly button. If you have stretch marks below the belly button, there is a chance these could be removed during surgery. If you have stretch marks above the belly button or in an area that will not be removed during surgery, there is a chance that having the surgery could make them worse. This is something we can discuss during a consultation. During surgery, Dr. Diederich can also repair the stretching of your abdominal muscles which is called Diastasis Recti.
For recovery, you will walk slightly bent over for the first week. This is because Dr. Diederich performs a drainless tummy tuck which allows him to get a tighter result and eliminates the issues associated with drains. After about a week, you’ll be able to stand up straight, but you are not allowed to lift over 20 pounds for the first six weeks. There are no exceptions to this. Depending on your specific job duties, you can return to work in about 2-6 weeks.
Liposuction
Liposuction can be performed at the same time as tummy tuck or in a separate procedure. This procedure is used to remove excess fat cells from the body through suction. You will need to wear a compression garment for 23 hours a day for the first two weeks. Then you should wear it at night for at least 4 weeks. The compression garment will help to shape your body and reduce swelling. Results are not immediately apparent as most patients swell during the procedure. It could take 7 months to 1 year to truly see the final results.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure that is used to remove excess fat cells. CoolSculpting uses a freezing process to injure fat cells in the body but does no harm to the skin or surrounding tissue. Once the fat cells are injured, they go through a process called apoptosis which causes the cells to die and the body begins a natural digestion process to remove them. There will likely be swelling and some bruising but there is no other downtime. Patients usually require two treatments spaced 30-90 days apart for the best results.
Schedule a Consultation
Each of these procedures will require a consultation which usually will be about 30-45 minutes. This allows you to meet our providers and learn more about what is involved with each procedure. This also gives the providers the opportunity to develop the best plan for your specific anatomy to achieve the results you are looking for. The results from these procedures are permanent but may change with excessive weight gain or pregnancies in the future.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please call 618-288-7855. Option 2 for Coolsculpting and Option 4 for Tummy Tuck or Liposuction.
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