One of the most popular procedures I have performed on both male and female patients has been tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty. Unlike other body contouring procedures such as liposuction, which does not eliminate loose skin or target muscle separation, tummy tucks are specifically designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. In order to produce a flat, smooth contour on the midsection, over the years I have perfected innovative techniques that have evolved over decades of procedures performed around the world. But have you ever wondered how tummy tucks today got their start?
Modern plastic surgery first began in the 1800’s when doctors revived techniques that were first discovered by early cultures who used portions of stretched skin to cover open wounds. As time progressed, physicians introduced medical advances in surgery techniques due to treating millions of wounded World War I soldiers. In 1890 the first recorded tummy tuck, known then as a dermolipectomy, was performed in France by Drs. Demars and Marx. In the United States, the first tummy tuck was performed in Baltimore, Maryland by a gynecologic surgeon named Dr. Kelly in 1899.
During a tummy tuck procedure, incisions are made in the lower abdominal region between the hips; the loose skin and unwanted fat are removed, followed by repairing the weakened abdominal muscles. By repairing affected abdominal muscles, the midsection maintains an even smoother appearance. If there are still remaining areas of unwanted fat in the hips, flanks, or back, liposuction may be combined with tummy tuck surgery to remove the fat. Over my 20 plus years of practice, I have perfected a specialized tummy tuck technique, which involves tapering the Scarpa fascia portion of the abdominal region to enhance waist narrowing. By utilizing these methods, abdominoplasty results can produce an improved waist definition in proportion to a natural body structure.
While tummy tucks can help you achieve personal cosmetic surgery goals, it is important to remember it should not be a substitute for weight loss or a healthy lifestyle. Post-surgery, I advise my patients to maintain proper nutrition and exercise regularly in order to preserve positive results. If you’re interested in tummy tuck surgery or other body contouring procedures, contact us today. As an additional resource to help you plan a healthy lifestyle, Jackie Madison is a certified Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist and is available in-office at Southern Plastic Surgery. Be sure to connect with me, Dr. David Whiteman, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Southern Plastic Surgery provides patient financing options for any reconstructive or cosmetic surgery service we provide. Included within our financing options is CareCredit®. Care Credit® is an 18 month plan that charges no interest as long as monthly minimum payments are successfully met, and payment is received in-full within the 18 month promotional period. For more details on this and other patient cosmetic surgery financing options, contact Jackie at (770) 622-9100.