Dr. Jacobsen operates upon and improves abdominal walls and tummies frequently.  An Abdominoplasty procedure, also known as a “tummy tuck”, is an operation to reduce extra skin and to tighten the muscle and the fascia of the abdominal wall to give a flatter appearance of the abdominal wall and “stomach area”. Sometimes hernias of the abdominal wall (diastasis recti) are repaired at the same time. There are mini-abdominoplasties, standard abdominoplasties and total abdominoplasties depending on how much skin needs to be removed and how much muscle repair is needed. Your incision is designed very low in the bikini line to hide it when you are wearing your clothing. Depending on how much skin needs to be removed usually the only incision is very low curved incision in the bikini line. Occasionally patients with additional skin to be removed left to right require an additional vertical incision in the middle from the belly button downward. This removed skin from the left to the right as well as from the top to the bottom. This operation overall is not particularly painful for patients, but what is difficult for patients is the requirement that you limit your activity to a minimal amount after the surgery and wear a binder. Often there is fluid that needs to be managed in the abdominal wall and it is important that you do not strain your abdominal muscles in any forceful way which could cause the internal sutures to come loose. The instructions to follow are very simple, and if you follow Dr. Jacobsen’s easy instructions and you will have an excellent result. This operation usually requires an overnight stay and of course a general anesthesia. Complications from abdominoplasty are rare but can occur. Chance of infection is extremely rare as you will be receiving antibiotics in your vein the day of surgery and orally for the 1^st week. There are drains that are involved and we will teach you how to care for the drains. These drains are a nuisance but are necessary and will be removed in the office painlessly about a week after the procedure. Bleeding can occur but if the binder as worn properly and you follow Dr. Jacobsen’s restrictions, bleeding and bruising is quite minimized.

Dr. Jacobsen recognizes there are many options if you are looking for a tummy tuck in Phoenix or a tummy tuck in Scottsdale. He feels very privileged for every patient that allows him to care for their tummy tuck procedure. The tummy tuck is a personal, life changing procedure to entrust to a cosmetic plastic surgeon in Phoenix, and Dr. Jacobsen will gladly address all your concerns professionally and considerately. Although there are many competent surgeons that can do an excellent job for you, Dr. Jacobsen can personally assure you that you will have one of the best experiences when it comes to a tummy tuck in Phoenix. When it comes to postoperative service, Dr. Jacobsen’s excellent staff will provide a fastidious follow-up available 7 days a week. Dr. Jacobsen will be there for you and answer your call, your emails and your text messages after your surgery no matter where he is. Dr. Jacobsen hopes that with his excellent surgical skills and wonderful, attentive, and caring postoperative service that you will not only get the results you want, but also the best tummy tuck Phoenix experience!

The tummy tuck is an excellent way for women to reduce her abdominal wall and feel better about themselves. The incision is initially a concern to most women but ultimately once it heals, very few women have any issues. Dr. Jacobsen keeps the incision very low on the abdominal wall so that it does not show with very low clothing or underwear. The incision fades significantly with time. Sometimes there is an incision required around and below the belly button if there is additional skin to be removed. Incisions from left-to-right and vertically (in the middle of the abdomen) may be utilized to help tighten the waist in circumstances where patients have lost a particularly great deal of weight or have had very difficult pregnancies.

It is very important after abdominoplasty that the patient minimize her activity. Lifting and straining must be minimized so that the muscular tightening that is performed does not pull apart during her activity. This is still holds true with women who have young children to care for. Is very important to have family to assist you during this time of your recovery period. The patient does not need to remain in bed and she should be getting up taking a shower and getting dressed, but you must avoid pushing heavy doors open (even car doors), driving, lifting or bending over. Will be given a very snug Velcro elastic binder to help secure your abdomen and avoid additional swelling. Some women have some bruising but usually this is quite minimal. Almost all women have fluid that builds up under the skin in this space that occurs because of lifting of the skin. This is controlled with a drain that usually is in place for about 7 or 10 days. This is easily removed in a painless way in the office after the surgery.

Women almost never regret having their tummy surgery performed, and almost every woman is ecstatic with the results. If you are considering a tummy tuck in Phoenix please feel free to contact Dr. Jacobsen’s Office to schedule a consultation!

What a tummy tuck won’t do

A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.

Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies would be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised.

Tummy tuck candidates

In general, you may be a good tummy tuck candidate if:

• You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
• You have realistic expectations
• You are a non-smoker
• You are bothered by the appearance of your abdomen

Tummy tuck surgery is a highly-individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE STEPS

A tummy tuck procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

A full tummy tuck requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and belly button.

The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the amount of excess skin. Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the underlying weakened abdominal muscles are repaired.

A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.