New York Tummy Tuck & Abdominoplasty Surgery in Westchester County
Abdominoplasty also known as tummy tuck was the fourth most common procedure performed by plastic surgeons in 2006. Dr. Greenwald routinely performs abdominoplasties and tummy tucks at his Westchester County, New York plastic surgery practice. Candidates for abdominoplasty are those patients with excess skin and fat of their abdomen. Basically there are three components to abdominoplasty: skin excision, liposuction, and muscle repair. The extent of each of these parts will be individualized for you. During abdominoplasty surgery, the excess skin and fat from the abdomen are removed, the underlying separation of the rectus muscles (“rectus diastasis” is repaired to tighten the waistline and excess fat is removed by a combination of direct excision and liposuction. Every effort is made to keep the resultant scar concealed in a patient’s undergarment.
Abdominoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure performed at Dr. Greenwald's ambulatory surgery facility located in Harrison, New York, approximately 30 miles north of Manhattan and New York City.
Our convenient location allows Dr. Greenwald to easily perform tummy tucks on patients from not only Westchester County New York, but also on patients from nearby Manhattan and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Dr. Greenwald understands that the decision to undergo an abdominoplasty is an important one. Dr. Greenwald knows the importance of educating you before, during and after the procedure as he firmly believes the most informed patients are also the most comfortable, confident and satisfied patients. Several before-and-after abdominoplasty patient photographs are available on this website. Additional photographs are available for viewing in the office.
Please contact our cosmetic plastic surgery practice in Westchester County, New York to schedule an abdominoplasty, liposuction or body contouring consultation with Dr. Joshua Greenwald.
Below are frequently asked questions about tummy tucks and abdominoplasties in New York and Connecticut
Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck”, is a procedure which removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. The abdominal and waist line contours are improved by removing the excess skin and fat, reuniting the abdominal muscles in the midline and contouring the remaining fat by a combination of direct excision and liposuction. If you have a significant amount of excess fat, a secondary liposuction procedure may be required as overly aggressive liposuction at the time of abdominoplasty may compromise wound healing. Dr. Greenwald will discuss your expected result at the time of your consultation in his Westchester County, New York office. In 2005, more than 165,000 tummy tucks were performed. It is one of the more common procedures performed by New York Board Certified plastic surgeon Dr. Greenwald in his Westchester County surgical facility.
Good candidates for abdominoplasty include women and men who have excess skin and fat concentrated in their lower abdomen. This is frequently the result of significant weight loss or post-pregnancy changes. Frequently, patients have a midline bulge that is a result of separation of the abdominal muscles. This is often seen in women after pregnancy and will be addressed at the time of your surgery. Patients seeking abdominoplasty frequently have excess fat in other areas besides their abdomen. Many of these areas (hips, flanks and lateral thighs) can be safely addressed by liposuction at the time of abdominoplasty.
During your initial abdominoplasty consultation, Dr. Greenwald will inquire about your medical and surgical history including current medications and allergies. It is important to be thorough when discussing your medical history as safety is Dr. Greenwald’s top priority. Your full disclosure of all pertinent medical information prior to surgery will reduce the incidence of unwanted complications after surgery. You will discuss your concerns and motivations for seeking an abdominoplasty. Details of abdominoplasty will be discussed including incision placements as well what is expected of you preoperatively and postoperatively. The risks of surgery will be discussed in detail. Numerous before and after photographs of actual patients will be reviewed during your consultation. Frequently, during this part of the abdominoplasty consultation, the patient sees a photograph that she feels is most similar to the before and after result she would like to obtain.
You will then be asked to put a gown on. Dr. Greenwald will then carefully examine the areas of your body that concern you. Your excess abdominal skin and fat will be assessed. Your abdominal muscles will be carefully examined to assess whether or not you would benefit from a muscle repair or tightening during your abdominoplasty. Photographs will be taken. Dr. Greenwald will then review your photographs with you. Computer imaging is an invaluable part of the consultation. Proposed incisions will be made on the your computer images. Dr. Greenwald encourages you to ask any questions during you consultation. A surgical plan will then be proposed based on the information gathered during your consultation. Following your consultation, you will meet with Missy, Dr. Greenwald’s patient coordinator, to discuss scheduling your surgery and answer any questions you may have forgotten to ask Dr. Greenwald.
Abdominoplasty surgery is not an exact science. Although the majority of women experience no complications, Dr. Greenwald will discuss potential risks and complications of abdominoplasty surgery at the time of your consultation. Prior to undergoing abdominoplasty surgery with Dr. Greenwald, it is important for you to fully understand the risks and potential complications associated with your procedure.
Once you have scheduled your abdominoplasty surgery with Dr. Greenwald in New York, you will be given preoperative instructions that discuss everything from finances to follow-up visits after your surgery. Prior to your abdominoplasty, you will need basic blood work and medical clearance form your primary medical doctor. You will receive prescriptions form Dr. Greenwald’s patient coordinator prior to surgery. It is important to have the medication prescriptions filled in the days prior to your surgery so they are waiting for you when you return home from surgery.
You will receive a list of medications (i.e. aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to avoid for 14 days prior to your tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Greenwald. Additionally, though there is no scientific proof that certain medications reduce bruising, swelling and pain after abdominoplasty surgery, you will be asked to obtain Arnica Montana, Bromelain and Vitamin A pills to take prior to and after your procedure. Finally, the night before surgery, shower and wash as you would normally and do not eat or drink after midnight.
Dr. Greenwald will be able to give you an excellent idea of where your abdominoplasty scars will be prior to your operation. They will be shown to you on your computer images. You will also be marked prior to your surgery. You will be asked to wear a bathing suit or underwear at the time of your preoperative markings so the incisions can be designed to fall in the confines of your undergarments. The scar typically lies above the pubic hair and extends a variable distance to the sides below the hip bones.
During a full abdominoplasty, as opposed to a mini-abdominoplasty, the belly button is left attached to the abdominal wall and brought out through a new opening after the excess skin has been removed. The location of your belly button does not change. It is impossible to know exactly where your scar will lie and to know the exact length of your scar prior to your operation. Scars will be discussed in detail prior to your operation. This is because the final adjustments to the scar including location and length are made during the operation. Every effort will be made to leave you with as fine a scar as possible by suturing not only the skin at the time of your operation but also repairing the deeper fascia (superficial fascial system) of the abdominal wall. By repairing the deeper layers of the abdominal wall, tension on the skin repair is minimized. Scars will be discussed in detail prior to your operation. Dr. Greenwald will also instruct you on how to optimize the appearance of your scars after surgery. Dr. Greenwald will make every effort to leave a scar that can be concealed in your undergarments. It is important to remember that scars often get worse before they get better. Most scars undergo a period of time where they are swollen and red typically 4-8 weeks after surgery before they begin to settle.
Dr. Greenwald performs abdominoplasty and tummy tuck surgery in New York at his private operating facility in Westchester County. The Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facility (APSF) located in Harrison, New York is certified at the highest level by American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. Our entire staff is dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction. A beautifully decorated reception area, comfortable exam rooms, private dressing rooms for patients preparing for surgery, and attentive care from our staff through all phases of your recovery help to make your entire surgical experience a pleasant one. Every measure has been taken to ensure your safety and comfort. Anesthesia services are provided by our own board-certified anesthesiologists who specialize in anesthesia for cosmetic surgery.
When you arrive at the APSF (Harrison, New York) for your tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Greenwald, you will check in and be escorted to the surgery suite. Dr. Greenwald, his nurses and the anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to your surgery.
If Dr. Greenwald feels a hospital is a more appropriate setting for your surgery, he has full privileges at several local hospitals including White Plains Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital and Putnam Hospital Center. Abdominoplasty patients are amongst the happiest cosmetic surgery patients. Please contact our cosmetic plastic surgery practice in Westchester County, New York schedule an abdominoplasty, liposuction or body contouring consultation with Dr. Joshua Greenwald.
After recovering from your tummy tuck surgery with Dr. Greenwald, you will be able to go home in the company of a friend or family member. If you have chosen to have your surgery in a hospital setting (or Dr. Greenwald felt it was medically indicated to you’re your surgery in the hospital), you will be discharged the day after your surgery. You will receive thorough postoperative instructions. Dr. Greenwald will call you at home or at the hospital the night of your abdominoplasty. Your pain will be well controlled and you will be able to drink normally. Your incision will be covered by steristrips that are not to be removed, a gauze dressing, and an abdominal binder. For the first few days after surgery the binder should not be made too tight. If you had a full abdominoplasty, you will typically have two drainage tubes. You will be instructed in their care. Usually, one tube is removed @ 3-5 days and the remaining tube will be removed a 710 days. You will be permitted to shower after both drains have been removed. Compression stockings as recommended in your preoperative instructions should be worn until you are ambulating normally and with regularity. It is important to be mobile after surgery and to keep blood circulating in your legs. You may have difficulty standing straight up after surgery; however, this will pass after several days.
Once the drains are removed, you may shower. Your incisions will be supported by steristrips or surgical tape for 4-6 weeks. As discussed, scars tend to get worse initially and then fade over time. Dr. Greenwald will discuss how to care for your incisions. You may resume aerobic activities after three weeks but should refrain from abdominal exercises or heavy lifting for six weeks.
Dr. Greenwald is available at all times through his Westchester County office should a problem arise. New York abdominoplasty and tummy tuck surgery patients are typically seen 3-5 days after their surgery.
Provided you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery, surgery by Dr. Greenwald will provide you with improved abdominal contours. Clothing should fit better and extra skin and fat that bothered you before will no longer be a worry. The results will be long lasting provided you maintain a stable weight through diet and exercise. Maintaining a relationship with Dr. Greenwald after your abdominoplasty surgery is important to help you address these changes and other concerns which may arise.
Please contact our cosmetic plastic surgery practice in Westchester County, New York schedule an abdominoplasty, liposuction or body contouring consultation with Dr. Joshua Greenwald.
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