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What is recovery like after reverse Tummy Tuck?
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Because the incision for a reverse tummy tuck is made so high, it doesn’t involve the big muscles of the lower abdomen. That makes recovery much easier. Expect most of your recovery to take about a week, possibly two. Initially, we will place you in a surgical bandage, which will be replaced by compression garments. This helps to alleviate much of the swelling and bruising, but you will have some of both for 10-14 days. You will have some pain, particularly during your first week. Most patients can return to work after 7-10 days, but it may take two weeks. You can get back to light exercise after a week, but strenuous activity and any lifting will have to wait for 4 to 6 weeks.
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What are the risks with reverse abdominoplasty?
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This is surgery, so it includes all of the risks inherent with any surgery: excessive bleeding, infection, reaction to anesthesia, and the like. There is a potential for nerve damage, but this is usually only temporary when it rarely occurs. The biggest risk is for uneven incision healing, but this is quite rare thanks to the board-certified expertise and experience of Dr. Schierle and Dr. Fine.
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Can I combine a reverse tummy tuck with other procedures?
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Many of our Chicago patients opt to combine a reverse tummy tuck with breast augmentation. This is because the incision on the inframammary crease provides access for removing excess skin on the upper abdomen, and it can be used to place breast implants. Patients who have pockets of stubborn fat on their lower abdomen, yet still have firm, tight skin, can have a reverse tummy tuck to tighten their loose upper abdomen while removing fat pockets on the lower abdomen with liposuction. If you are interested in combining procedures into a single surgical session, you can discuss this with Dr. Schierle or Dr. Fine during your consultation.
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What can I expect from reverse abdominoplasty?
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Initially, swelling will hide your ultimate results. But once this resolves fully over the next couple of months (it can come and go for a while), your entire stomach will be lifted and tightened to a smooth, healthy contour. The incision scar is well concealed within the breast crease. This is especially the case if the patient has larger breasts.
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Where are the incisions for a reverse tummy tuck?
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In a full tummy tuck, there are two incisions, one on the bikini line and another around the navel. In a reverse tummy tuck, there is just a single incision. This is made along the breast crease at the bottom of the breasts. The skin of the upper abdomen is pulled upward from there.
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