Tummy Tuck and Mini-Tummy Tuck Tampa
Tampa Bay area patients who have unwanted adipose (fat) tissue that has accumulated along the lower abdomen and hip region turn To Dr. Lee to help get rid of the excess skin and fat. One of the most effective treatments for adiposity of the abdomen is the tummy tuck procedure or abdominoplasty. This procedure removes additional skin and fat, leaving a sculpted abdomen and an improved waistline. Many factors may lead to a patient’s requests for tummy tuck surgery including, aging, childbirth, massive weight loss, and rectus diastasis.
Aging: Hormone changes are normal during life, and as we grow older there is an increased amount of fat accumulation in the abdominal area.
Childbirth: During a woman’s pregnancy, the body naturally needs to gain weight and fat particularly in the abdominal area to support the growing life. This weight may cause stretched skin as well as rectus diastasis.
Massive weight loss: Losing a significant amount of weight is beneficial to your health, however, it can leave you with excessive stretched out skin, particularly in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck is particularly necessary in this case as there is no other way to rid of the excess skin.
Rectus diastasis is when the abdominal muscles become separated, usually in women after childbirth. Dr. Wayne Lee will use the deep connective tissue layer when planning and carrying out the abdominoplasty. By using this superficial fascial system to re-suspend the soft tissues, one may achieve a more aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting result.
Types of Tummy Tuck procedures:
We offer a range of tummy tuck procedures that are customized to suit the needs of each individual patient. The tummy tuck options available include:
- Full tummy tuck
- Mini tummy tuck
- Reverse tummy tuck
Dr. Lee will assess each patient individually and will help customize your surgical plan to your unique needs.
Before & After photos
* Individual results may vary.
Real Patient Photo Gallery
View before-and-after pictures of real patients of Dr. Wayne Lee.
Are You A Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are within their ideal weight range but suffer from loose skin and stubborn fat in the abdominal region. During your consultation, Dr. Lee and his staff with help determine if you are a candidate for a tummy tuck procedure. Dr. Lee will listen to your desires and will assess you to determine what surgical plan will be best for you.
Whether you need a tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, and/or rectus diastasis, Dr. Lee will guide you through what you should expect, including the recovery period. Expect to be off of work for approximately 1-2 weeks after your tummy tuck surgery.
What to Expect During Your Tummy Tuck Surgery
On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at our private office-based surgery center and be greeted by our experienced surgical nurse. You will then be taken to your preoperative room and provided with a warm blanket. After consents are signed and vital signs are taken, our nurse will start your IV. Our personal nurse anesthetist will interview you regarding your past health and surgeries to determine what type of anesthesia will be best for you.
For tummy tuck surgery, general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are used. Ultrasound-guided regional and general nerve blocks are used to help provide an opioid-free/reduced anesthesia technique so that our patients go home with minimal pain and postoperative nausea. You will also see Dr. Lee on the morning of surgery prior to entering the operating room so you are able to discuss any extra expectations and ask any questions you may have.
This surgery generally takes between 3-5 hours in length depending on the extent of the tissue that needs to be removed and if Dr. Lee needs to also perform rectus placation. After your surgery, your incisions will be dressed with waterproof and antimicrobial dressings, followed by an abdominal binder which you will wear for 4-6 weeks after surgery. You will most likely have one or two drains to drain any excess blood or fluid. You should expect these to be easily removed in our office within 5-14 days after surgery.
Your nurse and nurse anesthetist will take you to your private recovery room after surgery and monitor you until you are comfortable to be discharged home. After surgery, it is normal to feel some degree of discomfort, pressure, and fatigue. Medication for pain control and antibiotics will be provided for you. Dr. Lee conveniently schedules the majority of his surgeries on Thursdays and Fridays so you are able to rest over the weekend and miss a minimal amount of work. Dr. Lee and his staff will see you within the first few days after surgery to change your dressings and ensure you are well-healed.
Patient Testimonial
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Written onMarch 8, 2015
I just had abdominoplasty by dr.lee and only 4 days post op I am very happy with the results! Can’t wait to see the results in 6 months. Also dr.lees bedside manner is superb!
Contact Our Office
Dr. Wayne Lee, is a highly-skilled, double-board-certified plastic surgeon who is dedicated to providing patients in Tampa and the surrounding area with innovative cosmetic procedures designed to help them look and feel their absolute best. If you’re interested in learning more about your tummy tuck options, don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule an appointment or give us a call at 813-579-3369 today. Dr. Lee will gladly help guide you throughout the entire process and address any questions or concerns you have along your journey.