Tummy Tuck in Des Moines

Tummy Tuck Overview

During a tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, Dr. Condoleon will remove fat and skin from the abdominal area to create a smoother, firmer, “tucked”, abdominal profile.

This surgical procedure benefits those who have not seen results from diet and exercise alone. Sometimes trauma, pregnancy, and aging leave our bodies in a physical state we wish to improve. The SOMA surgery team can guide you on the path to a more confident you in a safe, hospitable environment.

Panniculectomies contour the abdominal wall, bringing in the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat from your “apron.” This fat may hang below the waistline or pubis, leading to skin irritation and lower confidence. Patients who’ve just undergone significant weight loss may want to remove sagging skin, and Dr. Condoleon specializes in helping them.

Full tummy tucks, known as abdominoplasty, give patients a contoured look after a surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. Typically, a surgeon will remove the fat between your belly button and pubic hair.

Surgeons refer to 360 tummy tucks as “circumferential abdominoplasty,” as it targets the entire midsection, including the sides and back. This includes fat stored up and around the waistline, in addition to regular abdominal treatment.

What it Treats

• Excess hanging fat and skin hanging over the abdomen
• Built up, unflattering fat around the midsection (apron)
• Hanging, leftover, skin pronounced after weight loss.

Pre-Care

Actions to Take

• 4 to 6 months prior – Eat well, drink plenty of water, and stay active.
• 4 months prior – Schedule a consultation and talk with Dr. Condoleon.
• 1 month prior – Stock up on pillows, gauze, comfortable clothing, and ice packs.
• 1 week prior – Confirm who will drive you to and from the surgical center in Des Moines.
• The night before – Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. Stock your at-home recovery environment with pillows, blankets, tablets, books, and all of your favorite shows or movies on deck.
• On the day of surgery – Dress in comfortable, clean, loose-fitting clothes. Don’t wear makeup, jewelry, hair products, sunscreen, or piercings.

Post-Care

Actions to Take

• On the night of, sleep elevated with a pillow supporting your upper body and knees. Make certain you stay mobile after your surgery to aid in blood flow and circulation (nothing more taxing than walking or standing). Take frequent deep breaths to prevent pneumonia and blood clots.
• Resume activities slowly. Avoid heavy lifting, bending, and straining for 4 to 6 weeks.
• Take all medications as instructed.
• Drink plenty of fluids for the first few weeks to stay hydrated and reduce swelling.
• Change surgical gauze as needed to help keep the incision clean and dry.
• Leave surgical tape in place and let them fall off naturally over the course of healing.
• Avoid direct sunlight to the incision for at least 1 year.
• Follow the instructions provided by Dr. Condoleon.

Recovery Process

What to Expect

After your tummy tuck, you will experience several temporary postoperative symptoms as your body heals.

• For the first 24 to 72 hours, you might notice blood-tinged drainage at the incision sites. Use the gauze, and wear the compression garment (provided by us) as instructed by your doctor.
• Expect bruising to develop, which will typically heal, change color, and fade after 2 to 3 weeks.
• Swelling may persist for weeks or months. Intermittent resting and wearing compression garments can help.
• Address itching at itching sites with Benadryl to alleviate discomfort.
• Numbness or a tingling sensation around the incision site will subside after a few months.
• Surgery scars may take up to a year to fully mature.

Activity

Week One – Spend your first week focusing entirely on rest and recovery. On your second day, get up and walk to help your body circulate blood and prevent clotting. Start with light activity, and take your time.

Week Two – At the end of week 2, you will feel strong enough to attend social functions and engage in light-to-moderate walking. Ask friends to come with you, even if you don’t think you will need their assistance.

Weeks Three and Four – Try incorporating a stationary bike into your routine, as movement sitting down might feel more comfortable than standing. This might also help add novelty to your recovery routine as you grow stronger and stronger. Keep pedaling light and go at a pace that feels right.

Weeks Four to Six – At this phase of recovery, you’ll feel more like yourself. This is when you should begin to incorporate mild physical activity to slowly regain any lost strength. We recommend light free weights, half-squats, and wall push-ups.

Weeks Six and Beyond – To maintain the aesthetic results of your tummy tuck, exercise regularly in the morning. To avoid possible injury, do not exercise your abdominal muscles until 12 weeks post-surgery.

Bathing

Patients should take showers with lukewarm water instead of baths. During recovery, if standing proves difficult, we recommend bringing a plastic stool into the shower.

Be extremely gentle with the incision area and wash your body with gentle soaps and cleansers. We will recommend soaps to use throughout your recovery period. When washing, check the site daily for infection, redness, and swelling. Light massaging may help improve swelling.

Taking Care of Your Incisions

After your tummy tuck, your provider will wrap you in a waterproof dressing, sometimes accompanied by a medical-grade abdominal binder. This will allow you to shower without needing to change the dressing immediately.

This dressing usually stays in place until your first postoperative visit. When you come in after a period of recovery, we’ll apply tape to your incision to support the healing process. You’ll take some home with you to continue this care at home.