Who is a good candidate?
Patients with loose abdominal skin, stubborn lower-belly fullness, or separated abdominal muscles after major weight loss or pregnancy.
What’s the difference between a tummy tuck and a panniculectomy?
A panniculectomy is removal of the hanging apron of skin in the lower abdomen. This is the portion about halfway between the belly button and the pubic area.
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, includes a significant more skin removal - from the belly button to the pubic area. Underlying abdominal muscles are pulled together and tightened creating core stability, a flatter abdominal wall, and a smaller waist. The belly button is revised as new skin is pulled over it, and final shaping of the abdomen and waist is done using liposuction as needed for cosmetic refinement.
Generally patients whose panniculectomy is covered by insurance, can opt-in for the additional abdominoplasty portion, or the lower body lift, for optimal refinement and aesthetic results.
What is a Fleur-de-Lis (FDL) tummy tuck?
FDL adds a vertical skin excision to the standard horizontal tummy tuck to address both vertical and horizontal laxity. It’s helpful for massive weight loss patients who need maximal skin removal.
Will I need liposuction or muscle repair?
Often, yes. I frequently add gentle liposuction for waist shaping and repair stretched abdominal muscles when indicated for a flatter profile.
What is recovery like?
During the surgery, Dr. Mehta injects a numbing medicine, Exparel, into the muscle layer which lasts over 3 days making the recovery easier. Most people return to desk work in about 1 week. No heavy lifting for 6 weeks, and a gradual return to exercise as healing allows.