If you want more information or to schedule an appointment with New Jersey Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Dr Richard Peck about abdominplasty, tummy tuck, liposuction, liponic sculpting, arm lift or body lift, please contact us at our NJ office.

Abdominoplasty "Tummy Tuck"

Generally referred to as a "tummy tuck", abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. The procedure also helps to flatten the abdomen by tightening the surrounding muscles.

What is involved in an abdominoplasty?

• The procedure reduces excess skin and fat from middle/lower abdomen. It may include a tightening of midline muscles of the abdominal wall. This is not a treatment to treat obesity: if you want to lose weight, do so prior to having a tummy tuck.

What is a mini-Abdominoplasty?

• The procedure can help tighten the lower abdominal skin (below the belly button). The scar is shorter than a full abdominoplasty.

• The procedure involves muscle tightening and skin removal. The incisions extend to or beyond the hipbones. Some Liposuction may be done but may not be as extensive.

What type of anesthesia is involved?

• Procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia.

How long is the recuperation period?

• You will have limited mobility and stiffness during the first few days following surgery and generally you will be out of work for 2-4 weeks.

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.

Liposuction

We offer both tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction. In the tumescent technique, targeted fat cells are first infused with saline that contains a local anesthetic to reduce postoperative bruising and swelling. For larger volumes of fat, or for fibrous body areas, an ultrasonic probe can be inserted beneath the skin to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out.

Who is a Candidate?

• If you have excess subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to diet and exercise.
• If you wish to change the contours of your body. Commonly involved areas are the anterior part of the neck (under the chin), upper arms and armpits, male chest/breasts, trunk, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, inner knees, calves, and ankles.
• Most patients are near normal weight and desire permanent contour changes.
• The "tumescent" technique allows larger amounts of fat removal. Liposculpture can be useful to heavier persons as well.

Intended Result

• A permanent improvement in the contour and proportion of the treated areas.
• A more flattering figure or physique, in or out of clothing.

Procedure Description

• The procedures are done on an outpatient basis.
• Local, IV sedation and general anesthesia can be used for safety and comfort.
• Small suction tubes (cannulas) are inserted through very short incisions placed in inconspicuous locations near the fat deposits, and excess fat is removed.

Recuperation and Healing

• The patient goes home with a compression garment (or tape) covering the treated areas. Compression is advised for about a month as it helps reduce swelling and helps you achieve the final result more quickly. Once pain and soreness decrease, it is frequently more comfortable to wear lycra or spandex exercise pants.
• Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication.
• Bruising and swelling usually subside in 2-4 weeks. The final result takes shape over 2-3 months.

Other Options

• Additional procedures that may enhance the result are Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Breast Reduction, Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, Thigh Lift, or Buttock Lift.

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.

Liponic Sculpting

A nonsurgical alternative to liposuction, liponic sculpting uses advanced Silhouette technology that combines subatmospheric pressure with state-of-the-art mechanical massage. Along with a program of diet and exercise, an average of 14 liponic sculpting treatments can effectively reduce cellulite, improve skin tone, stimulate the body, and redefine the figure.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

After substantial weight loss, weight gain or simply from the effects of aging, skin on the upper arms can become inelastic, loose and flabby. Arm lifts, also known as brachioplasty, remove that excess skin and fat. Patients who have significant amounts of fat may want to consider combining the procedure with liposuction.

Body lift (belt lipectomy)

The body lift is performed to remove excess skin and sometimes also fat from the torso and upper legs. It is a complicated procedure that can take three to seven hours under general anesthesia and involves a difficult recovery period of four to six weeks, but it offers an improvement in appearance for patients who have lost significant amounts of weight due to childbearing, diet, exercise or bariatric surgery, or who have loose, inelastic skin for other reasons. The procedure is often combined with others such as breastlifts, facelifts and armlifts to retain a proper body proportion.