Abdominoplasty or the tummy tuck may be performed using a variety of surgical techniques. It is a major surgical procedure for men and women who desire a tighter abdomen. During this procedure, Dr. Marwan Khalifeh removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It is the only way to remove unwanted sagging abdominal skin after weight loss, as well a wonderful way to return to a pre-pregnancy body. With weight loss and pregnancy, often the skin loses elasticity and will not retract on its own. Abdominoplasty is only for women who are done having children. For individuals in the Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland areas seeking a tighter, firmer, more pleasing abdomen, Dr. Khalifeh can help.

During the standard tummy tuck (tummy tight ™), Dr. Khalifeh removes skin and fat from the entire abdominal area, producing the desired flatter, tighter stomach. A horizontal incision is made across the lower abdomen as well as around the navel. Skin is pulled away from the underlying muscle up to the ribs and the excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. Abdominal muscles are tightened, the skin is elevated, the belly button is stitched in a new position, and the incision is closed. The surgery takes about three hours. Often one or two drains are left in place to allow fluid to drain post-operatively. A narcotic such as oxycodone or dilaudid may be prescribed for pain, so driving will not be allowed the following week while on this medication. Antibiotics will be taken as well. A compression garment must be worn during recovery with all types of tummy tucks. Most patients wait two weeks before returning to work, although light work may be undertaken after a week with a reduced schedule.

The extended tummy tuck is specifically for people who have lost large amounts of weight and have a lot of excess skin. This often occurs in men and women who have extreme weight loss from gastric bypass surgery. With the extended tummy tuck, general anesthesia or twilight sedation is necessary. The incision is larger than the tummy tight SM, extending from outer hip to outer hip, and the surgery lasts for about five hours. Two drains are left in place post-operatively; one is removed after one week and the second is removed a week after that. The recovery period is one to two weeks, with at least two weeks before returning to work. Strenuous exercise may not be resumed until one month after surgery.

The mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty is less invasive and may be done on an outpatient basis. Dr. Khalifeh removes excess skin and fat below the navel in a procedure that takes less than two hours. A much smaller incision is made above the pubic bone and often liposuction is done to remove excess fat. The muscles of the lower abdomen are tightened, and the navel should not have to be repositioned. The skin is stretched downward, excess is cut off and it is stitched into place. This surgery may take place under general anesthesia but is usually done under local anesthesia with sedation. Drains may be in place for a week. The scar from the mini tummy tuck may be as small as two inches long and recovery time is much shorter. Patients can return to light activity in 2-3 days, work in a week, and strenuous activity in a month.

The mini tummy tuck is performed at Dr. Khalifeh’s accredited ambulatory surgery center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Both the tummy tight SM and extended tummy tuck are performed at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. where Dr. Khalifeh holds privileges. Postoperative complications are rare but potentially include bleeding, infection, scarring at the incision, accumulation of fluid or blood beneath the skin, skin loss, blood clots, loss of sensation and belly button necrosis.

Call today to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Khalifeh: (301) 244-0148.