Tummy Tuck
in New Jersey

A Journey to a Slimmer You: Abdominoplasty Explained

New Jersey Tummy Tuck at Capella Plastic Surgery

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is a very frequent procedure in Dr. Capella's practice. He has personally performed over 3000 abdominoplasties. This represents one of the largest experiences in the metropolitan area.

Dr. Joseph Capella specializes in after weight loss surgery and body contouring. Having performed over 15,000 body contouring procedures at Capella Plastic Surgery in New Jersey, he’s a renowned leader in body contouring. Dr. Capella’s research, presentations, and publications demonstrate his dedication to surgical innovation and safety. He has also collaborated with his father, Dr. Rafael Capella, an esteemed bariatric surgeon, in his work. Dr. Capella, who has performed over 3,000 Tummy Tucks, has the caring and expertise to help you tailor your physique and show off your body.

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Abdominoplasty Before & Afters

Background On Abdominoplasty

What is Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty (panniculectomy, abdominal lipectomy, Tummy Tuck) is a surgical procedure on the abdomen for removing excess skin and fat, tightening muscles, and eliminating or improving scars of the lower abdomen.

When large amounts of excessive skin are present, it may cause rashes between the skin folds and may make certain activities, such as exercise, uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the combination of loose skin, excessive fat, and relaxed muscles is usually unresponsive to dieting and exercise. At our office in New Jersey, Tummy Tuck is designed to correct these problems. Abdominoplasty is also essential to a body lift. A body lift is a simultaneous Tummy Tuck, thigh, and butt lift. It is Dr. Capella’s preferred procedure for patients with cellulite of the thighs and buttocks, skin irregularities secondary to liposuction, or who have undergone significant weight loss.

Liposuction may satisfactorily treat individuals with a firm abdominal wall but excessive fat below the skin. These patients tend to be younger and may not have had children. Unlike liposuction, which involves very small incisions to remove fatty tissue only, a Tummy Tuck requires a longer scar to remove excess skin. The scar is placed very low on the abdomen, generally in the pubic region, and is hidden by most contemporary underwear and bathing suits.

What are the benefits of Tummy Tuck?

Following pregnancy in women and after weight loss in men and women, the skin of the abdominal wall can become loose and stretched, leaving permanent marks.

In addition, fat collects in the tissues below the skin, and the abdominal wall muscles become relaxed, both conditions causing the lower abdomen to become more prominent. Your relentless efforts to meet your aesthetic aspirations deserve to be rewarded. Allow Dr. Capella to assist you in achieving that flat, firm abdomen you envision every time you glance in the mirror. Tummy Tuck, through its strategic removal of surplus fat and skin combined with muscle tightening, helps to sculpt and flatten your abdomen, transforming your dream into a reality. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a very frequent procedure in Dr. Capella’s practice. He has personally performed over 3,000 Tummy Tuck surgeries. This represents one of the largest amounts of experience in the Metropolitan area. Learn more at Capella Plastic Surgery in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Prepare to unveil the best version of
yourself!

Experience Transformation

Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

At the first office visit, Dr. Capella will take a medical history and perform a focused physical examination.

Medical conditions such as bleeding disorders, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, hernias, or a history of smoking will be of particular concern to Dr. Capella. Information regarding medications you are currently taking or have taken in the past, including all kinds of pain medications, will be requested by the doctor. Your height and weight will be recorded. One should know that Tummy Tuck is not an operation for obesity.

Additional Reading

In some cases, patients who have scars from previous surgery may not be candidates for Tummy Tuck because of the risk of surgical complications due to alterations in the blood supply to the skin. Dr. Capella will determine this at the time of the consultation. He will also estimate the length of the scar required to remove your excessive skin. For individuals who have excess skin below the belly button and minimal relaxation of the abdominal muscles, a procedure with a smaller scar, a “Mini Tummy Tuck,” may be all that is needed.

Sculpt Your Dreams

Tummy Tuck Pre-operative Visit

You will meet again with Dr. Capella approximately two weeks before surgery, when any remaining questions you may have regarding the operation will be answered.

You will be asked to discontinue medications that could lead to bleeding during the surgery. The specific medications will be reviewed with you at the visit. You will then be asked to sign a consent for the surgical procedure.

Dr. Capella performs Tummy Tuck operations with general anesthesia. Photographs will be taken of your abdomen and any other areas upon which Dr. Capella will be operating. Specific instructions regarding the date and time of your procedure will be given to you. You are not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. Exceptions may be made for certain individuals.

You will need to arrange for an adult to drive you to the surgical facility on the day of the operation and for the first visit after the surgery. You should wear loose-fitting clothing that will wash easily in the event it is soiled. Make sure not to wear jewelry or contact lenses or bring valuables to the operating room. Also, remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts; this can interfere with the procedure and may represent a safety threat to you because of the use of electrocautery during the procedure. Do not shave or wax your abdomen prior to surgery, as this may increase your risk of infection. Any shaving that is necessary will be done on the day of surgery by our team. Finally, Dr. Capella will write prescriptions for preventative antibiotics to decrease your risk of infection and a narcotic analgesic for post-operative pain relief.

The Day of Your Tummy Tuck
Surgery

Your Tummy Tuck Procedure

On the day of your procedure, your vital signs will be checked. During your Tummy Tuck New Jersey Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Capella, will place skin markings on your abdomen to direct him. The anesthesiologist will review your medical history and will then administer an anesthetic.

A full Tummy Tuck takes approximately two hours, depending on the extent of the work involved and whether it is combined with liposuction or other procedures. During the procedure, the lower abdominal skin and fat are excised or removed. The abdominal skin above the level of the navel is then lifted off the underlying muscles up to your lower rib cage, like lifting an apron. A cut is made around the navel, which is left in place.

The vertical abdominal muscles are then tightened with heavy sutures from your xiphoid (solar plexus) to your pubic bone. This provides a more firm abdominal wall and a narrower waistline. The skin apron is then pulled down to the pubic area, and after a new opening is made for the navel, the skin is stitched. In some cases, liposuction will make up part of the Tummy Tuck procedure to further improve contour. Drain tubes are placed under the skin to evacuate any fluid which may ooze after the operation.

The drains exit through the incision. These drains are removed approximately a week after surgery. The closure of the skin is done with dissolving-type suture material, which does not require removal. Dressings are placed on the incisions. A binder is also applied to support your abdomen, provide comfort and hold the dressings in place for 48 hours. Patients are discharged from the recovery room to a nearby nursing facility. Patients remain at the facility for one to two nights, depending on the extent of the Tummy Tuck.

Reveal Your Best Self

Tummy Tuck Results

A Tummy Tuck bestows patients with a more sculpted, toned abdominal region that aligns with their body’s natural contours.

This procedure significantly boosts one’s self-confidence and overall appearance by fostering a youthful, slimmer look. The enhancements are immediately noticeable and progressively improve over time. Maintaining a well-balanced diet and regular exercise regimen ensures the longevity of these results.

As scars gradually fade, your abdomen will emerge sleeker and more defined. While a tummy tuck entails a scar extending across the lower abdomen from hip to hip, our meticulous surgical approach ensures that the incision is placed low enough to be effectively concealed by even a bikini, further enhancing your confidence.

Embrace Change: Discover Life After Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck Recovery and Aftercare

For the first few days, you are likely to feel discomfort which can be controlled with medication. Your abdomen will be swollen. The swelling will resolve over a period of weeks, depending on the extent of your Tummy Tuck.

In general, 75 percent of the swelling is resolved at six weeks, 95 percent at three months, and nearly all at six months to a year. We will provide you with instructions for personal hygiene and activity. We suggest you begin walking as soon as possible, although rest is also important. Dr. Capella will visit you the day following surgery at the nursing facility. You will then be seen at the office in approximately one week. During this visit, one or more drainage tubes will be removed. Showering is permitted 48 hours after the surgical procedure. Individuals with desk-type employment may resume work two weeks following the procedure.

Additional Reading

Lifting should be limited to 15 to 20 lbs for six weeks. Others with work involving prolonged periods of standing, walking, or heavy lifting may need to wait from three to six weeks. Vigorous or aerobic exercises should not be resumed for six weeks. In the first few days after surgery, you will feel like you need to be flexed at the waist to feel comfortable. Over the next several days, you will gradually be able to stand upright. It takes several months for the abdomen to regain a normal feel. Temporary numbness, particularly just above the incision in the middle, is common. In some instances, this numbness may be permanent. The abdomen feels very tight for several weeks. Occasional shooting pain is not unusual for several months following the procedure. The scars often become red several weeks after surgery and begin to fade two to three months later. While they will never disappear completely, their appearance is usually very satisfactory. It may take scars as long as 18 months to reach their final appearance.

Tummy Tuck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck is a routine procedure in Dr. Capella’s practice. However, as with any surgical process, there are potential complications. Most complications following abdominoplasty, such as minor skin separations or seromas (fluid accumulation under the skin), are generally insignificant. More severe complications, like blood clots, bleeding, and infections, are relatively rare. It’s important to note that issues with wound healing are often linked to smoking. Consequently, patients are strongly recommended to cease smoking three weeks before and after surgery to promote optimal recovery.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for muscle tightening with a tummy tuck?

In general, postpartum women and weight loss patients are good candidates for muscle tightening when they do not have significant amounts of visceral fat (fat in and around their abdominal organs). Patients who are overweight and carry much of their excess weight in the stomach region are unlikely to benefit from muscle tightening in the long term.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck?

Ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck or infra umbilical Tummy Tuck are those with loose skin along the region of the abdomen below the belly button who are not in need of muscle tightening. Compared with a full tummy tuck, few individuals are ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck.

Will liposuction correct loose skin along my hips?

Liposuction to areas where the skin is loose already can make the skin even looser and leave defects in the skin contour and result in the “muffin top” appearance when individuals wear tight clothing. Dr. Capella prefers to extend the tummy tuck along the bikini line in the hip region to remove both excess skin and fat.

How often does Dr. Capella perform tummy tucks?

Tummy tucks or abdominoplasty are one of the most common operations performed by Dr. Capella. He has personally performed over 3,000 tummy tucks or abdominoplasties. This represents one of the largest amounts of experience in the United States.

Tummy Tuck in New Jersey