Abdominoplasty Archives - Plastic Surgeon in Philadelphia

January 15, 2021January 11, 2021

Is a Tummy Tuck Painful?

When considering any form of cosmetic surgery, many of the patients that come into our office are concerned about how painful the procedure is going to be. While there will be discomfort through any type of surgery, we don’t want our patients to be so scared of their healing process that they lose sight of the benefits they get with their procedure. Let’s talk about post-tummy tuck pain and how you can manage it for a smooth and swift recovery.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of how to manage your post-operative pain, let’s go over what will cause your discomfort following surgery. A tummy tuck is a surgical cosmetic procedure that involves tightening the skin around the abdomen for a tighter, flatter silhouette. During your procedure, Dr. Emily Pollard will make an incision from hip to hip. Through this incision she will tighten your abdominal muscles and pull the skin tight over the abdomen before trimming away excess tissue and closing the incision. The entire surgery typically takes a few hours to complete.

The Pain After a Tummy Tuck

When it comes to post-operative pain, it’s important to know why you’re feeling the discomfort that you’re feeling. Prior to a tummy tuck, the patient typically has a large amount of loose skin around their abdominal area, and their abdominal muscles or abdominal wall is generally weak. This may be caused by pregnancy, child birth, or an extreme weight loss. During your tummy tuck, Dr. Pollard tightens these core muscles and pulls the skin taut against the body for a brand new silhouette. This tension throughout the body is not something patients are typically used to, causing a great deal of discomfort before healing and adjusting to their new body.

Managing Your Post-Operative Pain

Dr. Pollard wants to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your entire healing process. When it comes to managing your post-operative pain, we encourage you to take the following steps:

Take prescription medication as instructed. Prescription pain medications can be intimidating, but are prescribed for a good reason. In small doses, these prescription medications allow for pain relief without causing blood thinning or bleeding. Keep in mind that these medications may cause constipation in small doses and can be dangerous when taken outside of Dr. Pollard’s instruction.
Over-the-counter medications are great too. Pollard, along with many other surgeons, may recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen within the first few days of recovery to reduce swelling and help your prescription medications work more smoothly.

We hope we were able to answer some of your most pressing questions about tummy tuck pain. If you still want to learn more about the procedure, or believe you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, contact us to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Emily Pollard today. We are also offering virtual consultations, so you can get all of your questions answered in the comfort and safety of your very own home.

April 23, 2019October 15, 2019

Is Your Stomach Sagging After Pregnancy? We’ve Got a Solution

Pregnancy and becoming a mother are one of life’s greatest gifts. But, what they do to your body – now, that’s a different story. Many women following childbirth are left with deflated, sagging breasts and a tummy that doesn’t even resemble its pre-baby form due to hanging loose skin.

During pregnancy, the abdomen stretches as the baby grows. For some women, once the baby is born, their stomach shrinks back to its former shape and size; however, for other women, they aren’t all too lucky. Many new moms are left with loose sagging skin due to the abdominal skin becoming overly stretched to the point of no repair. The skin loses its elasticity and is unable to retract back. And to top things off, no amount of diet or exercise is able to eliminate the hanging skin. So, what can you do to get your firm and tone tummy back?

Firm Up Your Tummy with a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin from the abdomen to create a flat and toned midsection. It involves making an incision in the abdomen from hip bone to hip bone. The shape and length of the incision is determined by the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. After the extra skin has been excised, liposuction may be used to remove any unwanted fat as a tummy tuck only removes skin, then the abdominal muscles are repaired. During pregnancy, the muscles in your abdomen can also become loose and separated due to stretching, often causing a protruding belly. Once the excess skin has been removed and the abdominal muscles repaired, the remaining skin is pulled taut and sutured shut.

Abdominoplasty is an invasive procedure, so it does require a recovery period. During this time, you will need to rest and be careful not to pull on your sutures. Once your stomach has healed and sutures removed, you will be left with a smooth and contoured abdomen.

Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation at Pollard Plastic Surgery

If you’re ready to have your pre-pregnancy tummy back and feel like yourself again, contact Dr. Emily Pollard at Pollard Plastic Surgery and schedule a consultation. Just because you’re a mom now, doesn’t mean you have to “look” like one. A tummy tuck can give you back your confidence and your sleek physique. Contact us today!

October 6, 2018April 26, 2019

7 Tummy Tuck Recovery Tips from Dr. Pollard

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Philadelphia, PA

A tummy tuck is a great procedure to help you achieve a firm, toned abdomen. Although the results are incredible, it is an extensive procedure that requires special care after treatment. To ensure that your tummy tuck recovery goes as smoothly as possible follow these 7 essential tips from Dr. Emily Pollard.

1. Take at least 2 weeks off of work

Downtime after surgery is essential to proper healing. Dr. Pollard recommends that patients take at least two weeks off of work – or more if they need it. If you return to work too soon, it can place stress on the body that interferes with recovery or may even cause injury. Taking adequate time off ensures you will be physically ready for whatever the workplace demands of you.

2. Prepare yourself to rest and be comfortable

Being comfortable while you rest and recover will make the process much easier on you and your body. Make sure you have plenty of pillows, and be gentle getting in and out of bed.

3. Have someone around to help

While recovering, your activities will be limited. For this reason, it can be great to have someone around to help you whenever you need it. Whether it’s for cooking, household chores, or helping you in and out of bed, having a second pair of hands can make recovery much easier.

4. Get some walking in

Although rest is essential while your body heals, light activity such as walking can be greatly beneficial to the body. This can help prevent blood clots and keep the body from getting stiff or tight.

5. Focus on good nutrition

Food is directly responsible for how your body performs, so eating healthy foods can help you heal faster and feel better during recovery. In addition to making good food choices, drinking lots of water is an absolute must!

6. Stop smoking

Smoking can limit blood flow and cause a number of health complications in regards to your procedure. It is necessary to stop smoking for several weeks before surgery, and abstain from it at least through the recovery period.

7. Listen to your surgeon

At the end of the day, your surgeon is the medical professional. Their specific rules and recommendations regarding your recovery should be strictly adhered to. Following their advice will ensure the smoothest recovery possible – and your body will thank you!

Feel Prepared for a Tummy Tuck?

Pollard Plastic Surgery offers tummy tucks to the men and women living in Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, PA. To learn more about the procedure or schedule a consultation, contact Pollard Plastic Surgery.

January 26, 2018April 26, 2019

What to Expect from a Mommy Makeover

Having a child can be one of the most rewarding and incredible times in a woman’s life. However, it can also be extremely demanding on the body. Combine hormonal fluctuations with post-baby body changes, and you may be longing to get your body back! Despite healthy eating habits during and after pregnancy, hormonal changes play a role in affecting weight in the thigh and stomach regions. Many women also experience changes in their breasts such as decreased or increased volume. Although these physical changes may seem insurmountable, there is hope. One option for success is the Mommy Makeover.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is a personalized combination of procedures designed to restore the patient’s body from the physical stressors of childbirth. Some of the procedure options include:

Breast augmentation, lift or reduction- These procedures help to restore volume and shape to the breasts.
Tummy Tuck– This procedure removes excess fat and skin, helping to create a smoother and firmer abdomen.
Liposuction- This procedure removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body.
Non-Invasive Skin Tightening- This procedure uses a laser to tighten loose skin.

Mommy Makeover Expectations

Dr. Pollard meets with each patient to ensure a Mommy Makeover experience that is in alignment with the patient’s personalized goals for the surgery and her body. Being a mom means that you are always on the go and juggling a million different things at once. This procedure will require you to slow down, but it will not keep you off your feet for too long. Most women return to their daily activities within two to six weeks of the procedure. It is advised to avoid all forms of exercise and heavy lifting for approximately six weeks. It is vital to arrange for support at home to help with everyday tasks to give yourself time to make a full and quick recovery.

Make an Appointment Today!

If you have questions regarding a Mommy Makeover, contact Pollard Plastic Surgery to learn more about options and treatments. Start your journey towards reclaiming your body today.

October 25, 2017April 26, 2019

How long is the Recovery from a Tummy Tuck?

As the fall season approaches, it is time to start thinking about getting your body ready for the summer season. If you’re interested in having a tummy tuck, we often recommend the September through December months as an opportune time to schedule your surgery. Pollard Plastic Surgery, which proudly serves the Bala Cynwyd and Philadelphia communities, is happy to welcome you to our office. We have been helping men and women achieve their aesthetic goals for 25 years.

One of the most common questions we are asked in our office is about the recovery time for a tummy tuck. We’ve created an outline to help you understand the recovery process for this popular cosmetic surgery option.

**The First Week after a Tummy Tuck**

The first five days after surgery is typically a regiment of bed rest. It is important to keep your head elevated, and knees slightly bent over pillows as this position eases pressure on the operation site and encourages better blood flow. You will wear a supportive abdominal garment to help prevent fluid retention. You will most likely have drains to help remove excess fluid that can occur after the operation. The drains are usually removed with in the first two weeks of surgery. During this time, you will be encouraged to walk short distances around the house every day to help reduce the formation of blood clots and promote healing. The first few days are the most challenging, but every day you should feel better than the one before. You’ll need to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. On or about the first week, you will have your first check-up with Dr. Pollard where you will be given further instructions based on your progress.

**The Second Week after a Tummy Tuck**

On the second week, we encourage slow but steady movement. The key here is to not overdo it because you are still healing. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend around to help. The less strain you put on the operation area the better. You shouldn’t be driving at all up to this point, as sudden braking and accelerating can cause your body stress even if you are a passenger.

**The Third Week after a Tummy Tuck**

Week three represents another increase in movement. At this point it is still best to have a friend or family member purchase groceries, pick up the kids from school and run errands. However, a leisurely walk in the neighborhood can be a form of healthy movement. We encourage you to take breaks during physical activity; there’s no need to push yourself. The majority of our patients head back to work around this time, as long as they have jobs that are not physically taxing.

**The Fourth Week after a Tummy Tuck**

You should feel significantly better. You should be able to resume many of your pre-surgery activities, but don’t be surprised if you still do not have your pre-surgery stamina. You shouldn’t lift anything over five pounds, but you can perform low impact exercises.

**The Fifth Week after a Tummy Tuck**

You may still feel some tenderness or experience some swelling but in most instances, you are free to resume activities as usual.

Schedule a consultation with our office and get on our fall surgery schedule sooner rather than later.

June 1, 2015April 26, 2019

The Skinny on Body Contouring

Body contouring is a great alternative when diet and exercise fail. Sometimes diet and exercise are not enough to remove the unsightly bulges on your thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, and other areas. Body contouring procedures at Pollard Plastic Surgery include surgical and minimally invasive procedures:

These surgeries can help you get the body you want. To maintain your new look, you’ll need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to enhance your results. Each procedure is not a way to lose weight, but a catalyst to kick start healthy results. Exercise not only burns calories, but boosts your metabolism – which is important because your body naturally slow downs your metabolism as you lose weight. A higher metabolism helps your body burn calories at a faster rate, even while you are resting.

To discuss body contouring procedures and how you can ensure your results last a lifetime, schedule a consultation with Dr. Pollard.

April 30, 2015April 26, 2019

Getting Your Body Ready For Summer

Many people dread bathing suit and shorts season – for good reason. If you are not happy with your body, it can be hard to show it off and feel comfortable in clothes suited for the summer heat.

To gain that confidence to enjoy a summer day at the beach, many patients explore tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast enhancements. A tummy tuck will tighten abdominal muscles and get rid of loose skin. It restores weakened or separated muscles, creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer. Liposuction sculpts the body and removes unwanted fat from areas such as the inner and outer thighs, waist, hips, back, knees, upper arms, chin/neck, and abdomen. And finally, for many women, a breast enhancement is the icing on the ‘cake’ of a great body. Breasts may either be lifted to a perkier position or augmented to restore lost volume.

If you want your new and improved body in time for summer, you need to remember that you’ll need one month for your body to heal and for the results to settle. You can discuss the option to have the surgeries simultaneously with Dr. Pollard. You shouldn’t rush the surgeries just to be “ready” for summer, of course, but with careful planning and Dr. Pollard’s expertise, you can be ready for summer.

CALL TODAY to schedule a consultation

TRUST AN EXPERT

Tag: Abdominoplasty