Weight gain tends to significantly affect the abdomen and when it comes to women, during pregnancy, the abdominal area must gradually stretch as the baby grows. Unfortunately, since the natural elasticity of the skin diminishes with age, once this abdominal skin is stretched, it may never return to its original position. This inability to spring back leaves an individual who has lost a substantial amount of weight or who has previously been pregnant, with excess skin and tissue in the abdominal area. Exercise can strengthen the core of the body, however, it does little to address excess, sagging skin. People residing in and around Bethesda, Maryland, are choosing to have tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasties) to eliminate sagging skin and excess tissue.
Enjoying A Slimmer & Sexier Silhouette
Dr. Jules Feledy, who is a board-certified aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Bethesda, performs abdominoplasty procedures to address excess skin and tissue in the stomach area. He uses the most current, clinically advanced abdominoplasty methods to remove this excess tissue and skin, during this procedure, he also repairs or realigns the abdominal muscles to provide the patient with a smoother, flatter, more youthful-looking stomach. In addition, if there are stretch marks beneath the navel (aka belly button), they may be on the section of skin that Dr. Feledy removes, thus, eliminating those as well. Following a tummy tuck Bethesda patients can enjoy a slimmer, sexier silhouette.
Natural-Looking Appearance
At Belmont Plastic Surgery, Dr. Feledy performs partial tummy tucks (aka mini tummy tuck) and full abdominoplasties. The mini tummy tuck focuses on the area directly beneath the navel. This is the area where many mothers develop what is referred to as a ‘lower belly pooch’ following pregnancy. However, this issue is not unique to women, men can also develop a pooch. The pooch develops when an individual has diastasis recti, which is the medical term referring to the separation of the large abdominal muscles. During a full tummy tuck, Dr. Feledy addresses the entire abdominal area, not just the area beneath the navel. He realigns or repairs the abdominal muscles. Excess tissue and skin are removed. The remaining skin is pulled together and tightened. Some patients will require a ‘designer navel.’ Dr. Jules Feledy uses his extensive experience and artistic vision to create his patients natural-looking designer navels.
The Best Fit For You
Tummy tucks are advantageous for both men and women, so, anyone residing in or around the Washington, DC, area, including those in Bethesda, Maryland, who would like the excess tissue and skin on their abdomen removed, may be a good candidate for this procedure. The perfect candidate for an abdominoplasty is someone who has reached his or her recommended body weight. Females must no longer be expecting to become pregnant. In addition, the patient should follow a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and exercising regularly. Furthermore, the tummy tuck patient must avoid using products containing nicotine, participating in recreational drug use and/or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
When you arrive at Dr. Feledy’s surgery center for your initial consultation, please bring your completed registration forms with you. These forms are available here. Also, if you have any questions you would like to ask, please feel free to do so. After reviewing your medical history, allergies and medications, Dr. Feledy will need to examine your abdominal area.
Bethesda tummy tuck provider, Dr. Feledy, will evaluate three components of your abdominal area: the skin, muscles and fat. Besides addressing the excess skin, fat and muscles during an abdominoplasty, if you have an umbilical hernia, Dr. Feledy can address this as well. Your skin elasticity is what determines how well your skin will respond once Dr. Feledy removes the tissue and fat that lies beneath it. If you have good skin tone, he may just recommend that you have a liposuction procedure. However, if you have a substantial amount of skin that hangs down, stretchmarks and/or poor skin elasticity, a tummy tuck may be necessary to address these issues.
Open Yourself Up
You may need to have some lab tests before your procedure. In addition, Dr. Feledy might request that you ask your doctor to clear you for surgery. If the tests and/or your clearance is not received before your scheduled tummy tuck, your surgery will have to be rescheduled. Also, if Dr. Jules Feledy has ordered you prescription medication to take after your abdominoplasty, please pick it up before the day of your procedure. This ensures that you will have it when you need it. You will need to take 3-6 weeks off work or school.
Patients receiving general anesthesia are not permitted to drive after their procedure consequently, you need to ask someone you trust to drive you to the surgery center and then home after your procedure. Dr. Feledy also wants his patients to have someone remain with them for a few days after their abdominoplasty. Please choose someone that you trust and feel comfortable with to be your caregiver. If you have animals, you will need someone to care for them as you recover, especially if they roam freely throughout your home (e.g., dogs and/or cats). After your surgery, your diet will be restricted to soft foods, so, make sure you purchase acceptable foods beforehand. Since you will not be able to drive for several weeks, make sure you have someone available to assist you with this or you have another plan to get around (e.g., a ride-for-hire service). It is vital that you follow the restrictions after your surgery, otherwise, you open yourself up to the potential for complications.
All tummy tuck procedures are performed as outpatient surgeries at Dr. Feledy’s state-of-the-art surgery center. A full abdominoplasty can take up to four hours to complete and a mini abdominoplasty typically takes from two to three hours. Patients receive general anesthesia during their procedure.
Once the patient is comfortably asleep, Dr. Feledy creates two incisions across the lower abdomen. These incisions run horizontally from hip to hip; however, the resulting scars from these incisions remain well hidden beneath the bikini line. There are occasions when an additional incision must be made vertically to the center of the patient’s abdomen, this possibility is discussed with the patient prior to the procedure. To release the navel from its surrounding tissue and skin, a small incision needs to be made around the navel. If necessary, Dr. Jules Feledy will create the patient a new, natural-looking navel. Releasing the navel allows him to easily manipulate the patient’s tissue and skin.
The extra skin between these two incisions is either removed or lifted. The abdominal muscles are either realigned or repaired. Dr. Feledy closes the incisions using sutures, applies a surgical dressing and places a compression garment around the patient’s abdominal area. This compression garment helps reduce inflammation and provides support for the newly contoured abdominal area.
The incision for this procedure is created within the crease above the patient’s pubic bone and is much shorter than those used for a full tummy tuck. Mini abdominoplasties only address the lower section of the abdomen (beneath the navel); however, Dr. Feledy can still tighten the muscles. Once the excess skin and tissue is removed and the muscles are tightened, the incision is closed with sutures, a dressing is placed and the patient receives a compression garment. Whether a patient is having a mini abdominoplasty or a full abdominoplasty, Dr. Feledy may use liposuction to remove some of the excess fat and tissue in the abdominal area.
Recovery Time
Patients receive specific instructions before they leave the surgery center with their driver. Following an abdominoplasty Bethesda patients need to limit their physical activity for several weeks. Walking is recommended and should begin shortly after the tummy tuck procedure.
Patients need to remain in a slightly bent over position for approximately two weeks (even while walking) because this takes tension off the abdominal incision(s). Dr. Feledy’s abdominoplasty patients state that sleeping with a pillow beneath their knees and their head is the most comfortable position during this stage of recovery. The compression garment is worn for several weeks. Once the compression garment is no longer necessary, patients can typically return to normal activity without any restrictions. As time passes, the scar(s) will fade. However, it is very important that the scar(s) is/are not subjected to UV rays, otherwise they may darken and this change may be permanent. Full recovery can take from four to six weeks.
Final Body Shape
Most complications and side effects involve the contouring of the abdominal area and the final body shape. Dr. Feledy finds that as long as he and the patient effectively communicate throughout the abdominoplasty process, most appearance-related issues can be avoided.
During both a tummy tuck and a panniculectomy, the excess tissue and skin that hangs beneath the waist are addressed. Insurance will sometimes cover a panniculectomy. When a patient has a tummy tuck, the excess skin and tissue are removed, but Dr. Feledy also repairs or realigns the abdominal muscles and tightens the tissues. Patients can combine a tummy tuck and a panniculectomy; however, the insurance will not cover any of the costs associated with the abdominoplasty.
Although many people attempt to address issues with their abdominal area through diet and exercise, sometimes, this method fails to provide an individual with the results he or she desires. Therefore, in order to address this area, more and more people are choosing to have a tummy tuck.
Every abdominoplasty procedure is specifically designed to meet the needs of a patient, therefore, the only way that Dr. Jules Feledy can provide you with a quote as to the price of your procedure is through an initial consultation with an examination of your abdominal area.
While health insurance does not pay for a tummy tuck, sometimes, companies will cover a portion of a panniculectomy. However, every company is different; therefore, each patient needs to review his or her benefits. For the most part, the panniculectomy needs to be considered a medical necessity and the patient must provide evidence of the rashes he or she is experiencing as well as any other symptoms being caused by this excess tissue and skin.
Dr. Feledy is dedicated to helping his patients attain the physique that they desire. For this reason, he provides them with the opportunity to apply for financing programs (CareCredit and ALPHAEON CREDIT) to cover their procedures. To learn more about the tummy tuck procedures available near Bethesda, Maryland, contact Belmont Plastic Surgery today. As a top plastic surgeon in Maryland and Washington, DC, with more than 15 years of experience, Dr. Jules Feledy is committed to providing his patients with the highest quality of care and the most beautiful, natural-looking results possible. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with one of the top aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons in the Washington, DC, area, contact Dr. Feledy’s surgery center today by calling (301) 654-5666. If you prefer, you can use the online contact form by clicking here. Belmont Plastic Surgery Center is located at 5530 Wisconsin Avenue, #818 in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Schedule your consultation today
The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 818, Chevy Chase MD 20815
