For individuals in New Orleans, LA who have recently lost a significant amount of weight, had a baby, or are experiencing the so-called “middle-age spread,” it can be a challenge to shed excess fat and skin around the midsection. Careful calorie counting and regular targeted exercises may have little or no effect when it comes to slimming down and toning this area of the body. However, with abdominoplasty, it is possible to eliminate a pesky belly pooch, loathsome love handles, tummy rolls, and loose skin. Also called a tummy tuck, this surgery is a fast, effective way to attain a flatter, more sculpted stomach.
One of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, the goal of a tummy tuck is to remove unwanted skin and fat that has amassed on and around the abdominal region. The stomach muscles are tightened to create a more toned and contoured look. The size, shape, and location of the belly button may also be altered to give it a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The results can dramatically improve not only the patient’s physique but also their self-confidence levels — especially for those whose weight loss left them with an abundance of sagging skin and mothers whose figures failed to bounce back post-pregnancy.
Highly experienced in performing tummy tuck surgeries, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jules Walters of Dr. Jules Walters in New Orleans, LA, consistently delivers customized results to patients. His vast knowledge about abdominoplasty allows him to confidently determine which surgery style and technique will offer the most benefits and produce the best outcomes for each patient. Let’s take a look at the different types of abdominoplasty options offered to women and men in New Orleans.
Traditional Tummy Tuck
Sometimes called a standard or full tummy tuck, healthy patients who wish to flatten their stomach may be candidates for this procedure. As with most tummy tucks, an incision is made horizontally between the hips. Skin is removed and liposuction, a procedure during which fat cells are manually broken down and extracted, is performed before the abdominal muscles are tightly pulled. While it is not always necessary, the belly button may be repositioned to create a more proportionate look. Traditional tummy tucks often are included in popular “mommy makeover procedures.” About two weeks after recovering from surgery, most patients are given the green light to resume their normal daily activities.
Mini Tummy Tuck
For those New Orleans patients who are relatively fit but are bothered by a bit of loose skin that may have developed on their stomach as a result of the natural aging process, a mini tummy tuck may be in order. This surgery focuses mainly on the area just below the belly button. Dr. Walters will make a short incision to tighten the muscles and remove skin. Most mini tummy tucks result in the appearance of a small scar and the majority of patients require only about a week to recover.
Extended Tummy Tuck
To remove the large quantities of skin that may result following a substantial weight loss, an extended tummy tuck typically is necessary. This procedure is considered more invasive than a traditional tummy tuck and requires an incision that extends past the hips to include the area where love handles form. The larger incision allows for the removal of a greater amount of tissue. Fat is extracted from the hips and lower back to create contours and the belly button may be repositioned. Recovery time following an extended tummy tuck is expected to take a bit longer than required by the traditional type.
Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck
Like an extended tummy tuck, this procedure is ideal for patients who have experienced significant weight loss and grapple with excessive sagging skin. This surgery gets its name from the distinctive shape of the incision that is made to remove a panel of skin. It typically extends from the breast bone area down to the stomach and across toward the hip bones. After the skin panel is removed and abdominal muscles are shaped, skin that remains is pulled tightly to create a more contoured appearance. The belly button almost always must be reconstructed as part of this procedure. A Fleur De Lis tummy tuck requires additional incisions as it addresses both the upper and lower areas of the torso. In doing so, the aesthetic results of this surgery can be dramatic.
Cool Sculpting
It is possible for New Orleans patients to achieve the appearance of a more-toned tummy without having to undergo surgery. CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical procedure that removes stubborn, targeted fat but requires little or no downtime. Approved by the FDA, it uses a scientific process called cryolipolysis and specialized equipment to crystallize (or freeze) subcutaneous fat cells. Those cells die and are processed by the body and naturally eliminated over time. Once fat cells are removed, they do not regenerate which helps to make CoolSculpting’s results long-lasting. Following each treatment session, a brief deep-tissue massage is performed which allows for better movement of the fat that has been released by the tissues. CoolSculpting also promotes healthy drainage of the lymphatic system. Along with the tummy, it often is possible to treat other areas of the body, including the back, flanks, and thighs, during a single CoolSculpting session. Most patients can return to work immediately following treatment and typically begin to see their more sculpted, contoured results appear within several weeks.
The remarkable results of a tummy tuck often are visible as soon as the procedure is completed. Contact Dr. Jules Walters at Walters Plastic surgery in New Orleans, LA, and schedule an appointment to learn more about how abdominoplasty may help transform your physique and boost your self-confidence in how you look.
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