Have Loose Skin From Weight Loss? Consider Tummy Tuck Surgery

Dramatic body changes, like pregnancy and weight loss, cause loose skin around your waistline. This excess skin leads to cosmetic issues and even hygienic concerns. Plastic / cosmetic surgery is the only way to address this problem and gain a slimmer waistline. Board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Angelo Cuzalina offers body contouring for men and women who have recently lost a great deal of weight.  Dr. Cuzalina has performed over 1400 tummy tucks in his career and loves the dramatic improvement it can give a person who his best suited for the procedure.

A tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) not only improves your appearance but also provides you with the confidence needed to keep off the weight you lost. So, are you ready for a tummy tuck in Tulsa, OK? The professionals at Tulsa Surgical Arts have helped countless patients through excess skin removal. Learn about our skin tightening options with a comprehensive evaluation. Our staff can review your options in-house.

Candidates for excess skin removal

Tummy tuck surgery works best for individuals who are at or near their weight loss goals but have hanging skin around the midsection. Qualified candidates have moderate to severe skin laxity and are in good general health. During this procedure, Dr. Cuzalina also removes stubborn fat pockets that could be getting in the way of a slimmer midsection. This is achieved through an additional liposuction procedure.

Depending on the technique chosen at the time of your consultation, a tummy tuck in Tulsa may involve an incision just above the pubic area from hip bone to hip bone. We perform excess skin removal and then tighten the underlying tissues and muscles. The invasiveness of the procedure is based on the amount of skin and fat that needs to be removed. Ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery include people who:

• Have a significant amount of loose tissue around the abdomen
• Avoid smoking several months before and after surgery
• Have no medical conditions that increase the risk for complications
• Have been at a consistent weight for at least six months to a year
• Have realistic goals for their outcomes

After body contouring surgery

Skin tightening surgery is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. Patients will then receive instructions for a safe and healthy recovery. We recommend getting plenty of bed rest while the incisions heal. A close friend or family member can help with getting prescription medications and household chores as needed. You will need to limit heavy activities and exercise until you have been approved by Dr. Cuzalina. In general, you should be up walking everyday starting the day after surgery.  By 2 weeks, most patients can increase there level of activity to a much higher heart rate such as on a smooth elliptical machine but not straining of the stomach muscles.  It is typically not until 6 weeks post op when Dr. Cuzalina will release you to most anytime of exercise or activity.  He will determine this at your 6 week appointment.

Patients may need to wear a medical compression garment around their midsection to help with side effects, like swelling and inflammation. Over-the-counter medications can also address any discomfort. The great news is that most people can see their body contouring results right away, with their outcomes only getting better as the swelling subsides. Remember to attend all follow-up appointments as requested and take care of your healing skin throughout the process.

There have been 2 major improvements for the standard healing process Dr. Cuzalina has used in the last couple of years.  First, he injects a new, long-lasting anesthetic along the muscle repair and incision line that gives 3 days of numbness resulting in much improved pain control compared to most standard tummy tuck techniques.  Second, Dr. Cuzalina has a certified lymphatic massage therapist (Brandy) on site who uses her expertise to dramatically decrease swelling and therefore discomfort each week for the first 6 weeks after surgery.  Patients absolutely love Brandy for her abilities as well as her caring, bedside manner.  Our tummy tuck patients that have this post operative therapy  typically have much less post operative edema / swelling and obtain results faster.

Learn about skin tightening surgery

No one can remove excess skin through diet and exercise alone. If you have lost a good amount of weight and struggle with loose skin around your middle, contact Tulsa Surgical Arts about getting a tummy tuck in Tulsa, OK. Dr. Angelo Cuzalina is proud to offer a range of cosmetic procedures designed to improve your confidence and appearance. Schedule a tummy tuck evaluation to begin the process and discuss your goals.