Tummy Tuck Surgery ( Abdominoplasty )

If diet and exercise has failed to shed the extra fat and skin around your middle, or if the skin on your mid-to-lower abdomen has lost elasticity due to pregnancy, obesity or age, an abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Mandraccia may be the perfect procedure for you.

Tummy tucks, also called abdominoplasties, were ranked as one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in 2004. The reason they are so common is because they can help flatten the lower abdomen, tighten stretched skin, and strengthen abdominal muscles. Abdominoplasty is a major surgery, so it should not be used as a substitute for weight loss.

Also, a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure chosen by many women is a combination breast lift and breast augmentation with a tummy tuck. All of these cosmetic procedures can be performed during the same surgery and the recovery for all three takes only as long as an abdominoplasty alone. If you are looking to improve your appearance from neck to knees, you may want to consider this combination plastic surgery procedure.

Before	After

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Abdominoplasty surgery, or a tummy tuck, is performed by Dr. Mandraccia in the operating room under general anesthesia. You’ll remain deep asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure. Dr. Mandraccia will start the process by creating an incision across the abdomen, just above the pubic area. Through the incision, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal wall, from the pubic area up to the rib cage. Then, if performing a mini or full abdominoplasty, Dr. Mandraccia will tighten the abdominal muscles before closing the incision.

Learn more about the different types of tummy tucks that Dr. Mandraccia performs, including:

• Endoscopic abdominoplasty
• Mini abdominoplasty
• Full abdominoplasty

Before	After

Recovery from an Abdominoplasty

The recovery process is different depending on the type of abdominoplasty you select. For an endoscopic or mini abdominoplasty, patients are not required to stay overnight and are fitted by Dr. Mandraccia with a firm, elastic dressing applied to the abdomen to help control swelling before they are discharged. For full tummy tucks, sometimes patients will need to be observed overnight.

After the snug dressing is removed by Dr. Mandraccia, a few weeks after the abdominoplasty surgery, additional swelling, discomfort and bruising can continue for weeks or a few months. The symptoms can be treated with proper care, including pain medication and lots of rest. Smoking can lengthen the recovery period, so please tell Dr. Mandraccia if you are a smoker.

Dr. Mandraccia performs most cosmetic surgery procedures under IV sedation with certified nurse anesthesia present. His office has recently been certified by the Florida Board of Health as meeting its most rigorous standards. Patients can opt for general anesthesia in the surgery center located in our building, which is jointly owned by Lee Memorial and Naples Community Hospitals.

To schedule your confidential abdominoplasty consultation and receive more information about other cosmetic surgery procedures that can improve your look, please contact Dr. Mandraccia’s office today by email or phone at (239)489-4801.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abdominoplasty

Dr. Mandraccia’s Fort Myers office is conveniently located off of Gladiolus Drive in the Parker Plaza near the Lakes Regional Library. The Naples office is conveniently located off of Veterans Park Drive near the Anchors Health Center.

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