Tummy Tuck Beverly Hills | Abdominoplasty Los Angeles
Pre-Operative marking prior to your surgery, you will have the opportunity to speak
with Dr Motykie about any part of your surgical procedure and/or recovery process. You
will be asked to change into a surgical gown and Dr Motykie will place surgical markings
on your abdomen that will be the approximate location and length of your incision as
well as indicate all possible areas of accompanying liposuction. You may want to bring a
pair of your own swimwear or underwear to help place your incision hidden below your
own personal “bikini line.”All markings for abdominoplasty are performed in the standing position to ensure a properly placed belly button and appropriate incision location. Dr. Motykie places great importance on making your scar as minimal in length as possible and he strives to keep all of your incisions in well hidden locations for you personally.
Anesthesia and Operating Facility for almost all abdominal contouring techniques
you will most likely receive general anesthesia (you are asleep) for your own
personal comfort, safety and surgical ease. Dr. Motykie uses only Board Certified
Anesthesiologists to administer anesthesia and monitor your safety during your
surgery. You may be given medication before reaching the operating room so you will
feel relaxed before surgery. The surgery takes approximately 3-4 hours to perform
depending on the complexity of your procedure. Dr Motykie performs his surgery in
a fully accredited (AAAASF) surgical facility where your safety and privacy are of the
utmost importance. Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) precautions are taken with every
patient and include a minimum of anti-embolic stockings and sequential compression
devices (SCDs) on the lower extremities during the entire length of your procedure.
Surgical Procedure An abdominoplasty is most commonly performed by making
horizontally-oriented incision below your bikini line. The shape and length of your
incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary.
In a mini abdominoplasty, excess skin of the lower abdomen is removed and the lower
abdominal muscles may be tightened. The incision may possibly be shorter along the
lower abdomen than in a full abdominoplasty depending on the amount of loose skin
present pre-operatively. Your belly button is not moved because the skin and muscles
of the upper abdominal are not addressed during this surgery. Any excess abdominal
skin is removed at the end of the procedure and your incision is closed with dissolvable
sutures that are placed underneath the skin.
In a full abdominoplasty, all three layers of the abdomen are addressed which include
tightening ofthe abdominal muscles, removing excess fat through liposuction and
removing loose skin and stretch marks by direct excision. During the procedure, the
abdominal muscles are pulled together and repaired to a more normal anatomical
position. This technique is very akin to an “internal corset” because as the abdominal
muscles are drawn together, your waistline is narrowed. In addition, a second incision
is made around your belly button in order to address any loose skin and repair the
muscles of the upper abdomen. After the muscles have been repaired, the creation
of a realistic “belly button” is essential to having a natural looking abdomen after your
tummy tuck procedure. The belly button is often the signature creation of the plastic
surgeon since there are many different techniques currently available to create a
realistic appearing belly button. The belly button is often the only thing that is visible
after a tummy tuck because the other abdominal incision is hidden below the bikini line.
Therefore, an “attractive” belly button is essential to a satisfactory outcome. A wide array
of sizes, shapes and positions of a “natural” appearing belly button are seen and this
diversity must be identified and maintained after surgery. In other words, your new belly
button should not appear too large, too thin, too shallow or too deep. After your belly
button is complete, any excess abdominal skin is removed and your incision is closed
with dissolvable sutures that are placed underneath the skin.
Dr. Motykie commonly performs liposuction in conjunction with both full and mini
abdominoplasty procedures in order to help create a well contoured abdominal profile
and waistline post-operatively. The mons pubis represents a distinct aesthetic unit
and it is always addressed accordingly during surgery. Two drains are typically placed
below the level of the abdominal incision in order to collect any swelling fluid that may
accumulate over the next few days of recovery. A pain pump is also placed which leaks
numbing solution onto the repaired abdominal muscles in order to significantly improve
post-operative comfort. At the conclusion of the procedure small sticky tapes are placed
over the incision and an abdominal binder is placed in order to provide support and
compression of the abdominal area post-operatively.The end goal of ever surgery is a
narrower, flatter, firmer abdomen with a naturally appearing belly button.
Recovery Room After surgery you will be brought to the recovery area where you are allowed to rest and completely recover from anesthesia. Nurses will be on staff by
your bedside to make sure you are recovering properly as well as being able to provide
you with pain medications and small amounts of water and/or ice chips while you are
becoming more awake and alert. After you have fully recovered from anesthesia, you
may be released to home with a responsible adult although we often encourage our
abdominoplasty patients to stay overnight in an outpatient recovery retreat where there
are nurses on staff 24hrs to assist you with post-operative care and medications.Some
patients decide to return home after one night in the recovery retreat while others prefer
to stay for two to three days.
The most comfortable position to recover in after surgery is a reclining chair with your
knees in a slightly flexed position. Over the first night you will most likely find yourself
having to use the bathroom frequently. This is normal and is due to the intravenous
fluids you received from your IV during your surgical procedure. Leave all garments
intact until the next morning when you will return to Dr Motykie’s office in order to
have your dressings changed and receive further instruction for the rest of the week.
The “anti”-pain pump which was placed during your surgery will help to “numb” your
abdomen for the first few days after surgery. This pump self-administers the numbing
solution which will significantly decrease your need for oral prescription pain medications during your early post-operative recovery period. The night following your surgery, you may experience some pain and discomfort which can be controlled with your prescribed pain medication.
The majority of the sutures used during your surgery will be placed underneath your skin
in order to create a very thin scar. None of these sutures need to be removed after your
surgery and all of them are covered by thin surgical tape that is left in place for the first
week after your surgery.
- Abdominal Body Contouring Surgery
- The Consultation
- Pre-Operative Period
- Day of Surgery
- Post Operative 1 day | 1 week | 1 Month | Long Term
- Combined Procedures
- Revision Abdominoplasty
To find out more about these body contouring procedures please contact us at 310-246-2355
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