The Surgery – Tummy Tuck
Dr. Bartell performs tummy-tuck surgeries in his fully accredited private surgery suite contained within his Westside medical offices. Working with him in the operating room is his top-notch support team of surgical specialists. Many patients don’t realize that when surgical procedures are performed in hospitals, the surgeon is assigned members of his/her support team for each surgery by the hospital. Surgeons never know with whom they’ll be working with until the day of the operation.
Because Dr. Bartell is an independent practitioner utilizing his own in-house surgical facility, he can handpick his surgical support group from among the large local pool of medical professionals. Consistently using the same core group of exceptional surgical specialists provides Dr. Bartell maximum operational control and efficacy, while assuring his surgical patients a consistent level of superior care and technical expertise.
The abdominoplasty procedure is performed using a general anesthetic, so you’ll sleep through the entire operation. Surgery usually lasts between two and three hours. An incision is made across the lower abdomen just above the pubic hairline. Usually the incision can be designed so that the scars will be hidden under most swimwear. In cases where removal of fat is planned, liposuction is performed of the upper abdomen and flanks. The tissue is raised up above the muscles, and the muscles are tightened with sutures. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The extra tissue is then pulled down, trimmed and the incision closed. If a belly button incision was made, a new hole for the belly button is made and the belly button inset. A bandage and drainage tube is placed, along with and elastic compression garment. The garment helps prevent hematoma, and assists the resolution of the swelling. Most patients spend a short time in the recovery area, and go home after only a few hours.
You will need to arrange a ride home from the surgery center, and make sure you have someone stay with you at home for at least 24 hours after completion of the procedure. Occasionally, abdominoplasty is performed in a hospital with an overnight stay.
