Tummy Tuck Indianapolis, Indiana
Abdominoplasty in Indianapolis, Indiana
Tummy tucks are not defined by their incision…they are defined by the aesthetics of the abdomen that result from the surgery which can dramatically change the appearance of the abdominal region. Dr. David Sterling Slatton is a highly experienced board certified plastic surgeon who has extensive expertise in abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery and obtains exceptional results on a consistent basis. Browse the before and after gallery on this site.
Dr. Slatton’s choice of tummy tuck procedure for you depends on the quality of your skin and your expressed desires for improvement in the appearance of specific regions of your abdomen (as well as your waist, torso, and other areas of your body).
Types of tummy tucks: The current vernacular for different tummy tuck procedures has given to popular use the following terms:
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Mini Tummy Tuck
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Traditional Tummy Tuck
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Extended Tummy Tuck
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Male Tummy Tuck
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Panniculectomy
In Dr. Slatton’s practice, the mini tummy tuck procedure involves removal of skin below the level of the belly button and results in a shorter scar in the panty or bikini line. Refer to our Mini Tummy tuck page on this website for a more in depth description.
Traditional tummy tuck is a term that means you are getting an older procedure which undermines the abdominal tissue to the rib margins, repositions the skin around the belly button and leave a scar that is too high or irregular in your lower abdominal area. Extended tummy tuck is a phrase that applies to the outer aspect of the abdominoplasty scar extending into the hip area. Frequently, scars are jagged and unnecessarily long with this approach.
The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty that Dr. Slatton performs for his patients has replaced the ‘traditional” or “extended” tummy tuck procedures. Dr. Slatton began performing the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty for his own patients over a decade ago. A thorough discussion of the High lateral tension technique is provided in the paragraphs below.
Male tummy tuck—or a tummy tuck for men involves a similar technique to abdominoplasty surgeries done for women and has similar indications…The scar is placed in a more horizontal location so that it compliments a masculine physique.
Panniculectomy is a procedure which literally refers to the removal of the excess lower abdominal skin (and no more) and sewing the resultant defect back together. It is part of the abdominoplasty procedure, but it does not involve muscle placation and umbilical repositioning so the cosmetic outcomes of this technique are deficient if it is performed alone without abdominoplasty maneuvers.
Abdominoplasty procedures may vary and depend on the individual patient’s skin quality and fat deposition. Frequently, Abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction to give results that surpass those obtained by either procedure alone.
Tummy Tuck Surgery and Dr. David Sterling Slatton’s preferred Tummy Tuck Technique:
High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty
The Abdominoplasty procedure (Tummy Tuck) was developed by plastic surgeons in order to treat skin looseness and stretch marks that developed with age, after pregnancy, and with weight fluctuation. Typically, the procedure involved removal of loose lower abdominal skin up to and above the level of the umbilicus (belly button) and tightening of the abdominal muscles in the midline.
A small surgical incision was created in the upper abdominal skin when it is pulled down to the level of the umbilical stalk. In order to remove the lower abdominal skin to the level of the belly button, surgeons elevated the upper abdominal skin and fat off the muscle fascia up to the level of the lower costal (rib) margins.
Because older abdominoplasty techniques emphasized removing the largest amount of lower abdominal skin in the midline, and removing the skin that surrounded the (umbilicus) belly button, these procedures often produced an unnatural appearing abdomen with scars that were too close to the umbilicus. Insistence on complete removal of the abdominal skin around the umbilicus is often a cosmetic error, which produced unnaturally high abdominal scars. Older techniques of abdominoplasty also produced wide scars with depressions that resulted because the deep tissue of the surgical incision was closed with absorbable sutures.
The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty was developed by plastic surgeon Dr. Ted Lockwood to create a more natural and aesthetically pleasing abdominal appearance as a result of abdominoplasty surgery.
The High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty is noted or the following features:
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Emphasis on lateral lower abdominal skin excess excision and post surgical skin tension
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Reliance on the strength of the superficial fascial system for incision closure and optimization of scar.
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Limited undermining of upper abdominal skin/soft tissue flaps, which preserves abdominal flap blood supply and allows for liposuction of the abdominal region without compromising skin viability.
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De-emphasis on removing all skin up to, around, and above the umbilicus.
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Liposuction to treat upper and lateral abdominal and flank fat deposits.
Because abdominal skin and tissue laxity are greater on the sides of the abdomen, and away from the midline, treatment of laxity in these regions is paramount to obtaining better results with abdominoplasty. With the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty, lateral tension is emphasized because tissue laxity increases from the midline to the sides of the trunk with age and/or with weight fluctuation Therefore, the emphasis of skin removal and tightening is shifted from the midline to the sides of the lower abdominal skin and soft tissue.
The Superficial Facial System (SFS) is a connective tissue layer interlaced with the subcutaneous fat that lies between the deep dermis and abdominal fascia. Closure of the deep layers of fat with permanent braided nylon sutures integrates the strength of the (SFS) in the resulting abdominoplasty incision. The permanent stitches, which secure the deep layers of fat surrounded by the SFS, create a durable narrow scar and prevent a "ledge" effect that occurs when absorbable stitches are used on the deep fat layers. The muscles of the abdominal wall are sutured to treat muscle laxity and create an internal corset. The belly button position is transposed.
Liposuction is performed with the High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty for additional abdominal contour improvement in appropriately selected patients. The combination of liposuction and HLT abdominoplasty gives results that surpass those obtained by either procedure alone. Liposuction of the upper and lateral abdomen improves appearance and often allows the contour of the upper abdomen to show definition where it did not exist before. Not only is the abdomen tightened with this technique, but the anterior thigh is also lifted as well. These features are unique to the High Lateral Tension abdominoplasty technique, and are not as readily achieved (if at all) with traditional abdominoplasty techniques.
High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty may be performed with liposuction of the other areas of the body including the hips, outer and inner thighs, upper back and love handle (flank) regions. Liposuction allows for the surgeon to sculpt your waist and transform other areas of the body. In these cases, the operation becomes one of Total Truncal Rejuvenation as the contour of the entire torso addressed in one operation.
HLT Abdominoplasty can also be performed with Breast Augmentation, Breast Lifts, Mommy Makeover, and Butt Lift procedures with fat transfer.
The Tummy Tuck Consultation
Schedule a consultation today with board certified plastic surgeon and expert body contouring specialist David Sterling Slatton, MD. When you are seen in consultation, Dr. Slatton will spend the time with you necessary for you to have your questions answered and you will become informed about what this figure transforming procedure can do for you.
Tummy Tuck surgery requires a plastic surgeon’s skill, in depth knowledge and years of training and experience in performing the surgery in order for the surgery to be performed safely with the goal of satisfaction with you appearance in mind.
Are You a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Patients who have loose abdominal skin, stretch marks, fat deposits in the abdomen and surrounding areas, and muscle laxity after weight loss are potential candidates for tummy tuck surgery. If you have had Massive Weight Loss after loosing weight through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, you may also be a candidate for this procedure. Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension should be well controlled before surgery. Dr. Slatton may instruct you to see your primary care physician or a specialist regarding certain conditions to assist in determining if you are a candidate for surgery, and improving your health prior to surgery by addressing any medical conditions that may otherwise affect your surgical outcome. Smoking should be stopped at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
Before Tummy tuck surgery, you should make certain you are off all Aspirin and aspirin containing medications, vitamins, supplements and NSAIDS. Refer to our list of Medications to Avoid before Surgery.
Preparation for tummy tuck surgery consists of making certain you have enough time off work and or primary child care responsibilities. Maintaining your goal weight is essential. You will need someone with you at all times for the first several days post op. Make certain you have a place to recovery in your home or hotel room that has a recliner, and that the bathroom is on the same level as your recovery area. A lift chair has been beneficial for many of our patients and you can rent these for a reasonable rate.
During Tummy Tuck Surgery, you will be under sedation anesthesia for the operation. This surgery is done at a hospital or an or accredited outpatient surgery center. An overnight stay is not required--however, it is of benefit for many patients who undergo tummy tuck surgery for reasons of additional safety.
Recovery from Tummy Tuck surgery requires your adherence to our post operative instructions. Your results will benefit from your following the post operative instructions. Light exercise is OK at 1 month post operatively. Aerobic exercise can be started 6-8 weeks post op, and restrictions on all activities are generally lifted 3 months after surgery.
Benefits from tummy tuck surgery are a flatter, smoother abdominal appearance. Many of our patients are once again comfortable wearing a bikini. The scar from the high lateral tension abdominoplasty is well hidden within the line of a bikini or panties. Optimizing your scar’s appearance involves close adherence to post operative directions, use of adhesive tape and possibly silicone gel scar pads in the first 6 months after the surgery.
The cost of a tummy tuck starts at $6800. This includes surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, and facility fees.
Financing for surgery can be obtained through several lenders. Click here to go to our financing page.
Contact Dr David Slatton Today to Schedule Your Consultation
