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Abdominoplasty New
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Question: I have a strange question but I have to ask. In January of 99 I had
a Tummy Tuck done in Scottsdale Az. by a reputable Plastic Surgeon, before
the procedure we never discussed where my bellybutton would be and I never
even thought to question this I just took it for granted that it would be in
the same place. After the tummy tuck was done and I was in severe pain I was
also very disappointed as to the placement of my bellybutton. He never did a
thing to it so it is now approximately 2.5 to 3 inches lower than it was
originally, when I asked about this he said that after the swelling subsides
that it would look alot better and also no one notices where your belly
button is located. Excuse me but when it is located below your bathing suit
you cannot help but notice!! It has been over a year now and I also have
dog-ears on both sides of the incision. I am just not real pleased with the
amount of money I spent for this procedure and the looks of afterwards. Is
this normal to have to pay again to have your bellybutton raised to a normal
location?
Answer: According to present day plastic surgery lore there are 5 types of abdomens
1 - requires no surgical treatment
2 - is best treated with liposuction only
3 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a mini
abdominoplasty/tummy tuck
4 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a modified
abdominoplasty/tummy tuck
5 - is best treated with a combination of liposuction & a standard
abdominoplasty.
In relatively few cases there is little or no liposuction needed in a specific
patient who lies in one of these categories.
3 involves removal of a horizontal wedge of skin well below the belly button. 4
is the same as 3 but the skin is elevated off the abdominal wall above the belly
button level & the stalk of the belly button is transected. This should only be
done if the belly button will be brought down less than an inch. 5 involves
making an incision around the belly button, leaving the stalk intact & moving
skin that previously lied above the belly button below it. A new hole is then
made for the belly button. The experienced surgeon knows when to perform 4 vs. 5
by examining the patient before surgery & seeing if there is enough excess skin
above the belly button to cover it when the skin above each hip is pinched. If
someone needs 5 but gets 4 the belly button will end up being too low. If it is
too low & the stalk has been cut it is a difficult problem to treat because you
no longer have blood supply to the belly button directly from the abdominal wall
& this won't go away as swelling resolves. Most plastic surgeons will not charge
a surgical fee to treat this problem if they have done the original surgery but
in most cases the patient stills has to pay for anesthesia & operating room
costs.
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