Westport, New Canaan, Ridgefield & All of Fairfield County
An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, can restore those youthful contours and give you back that flat, toned look with a refined waistline and a renewed self-confidence to pursue your active lifestyle.
Westport tummy tuck surgeon, Dr. O'Connell, is a published expert on drainless abdominoplasty and his article, outlining his technique of BAND Abdominoplasty, was published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal in 2018.
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A tummy tuck is a plastic surgical procedure that addresses both skin laxity and muscle separation of the abdominal wall. Excess fat in the abdomen is also commonly treated during a tummy tuck.
The youthful contours of the abdomen can be lost to muscle laxity and skin excess. Despite your best efforts in the gym, the concave, tight abdomen of youth is replaced by a more unflattering shape with loose, hanging skin sometimes called a “muffin top.”
The most common setting in which loose skin and muscle separation occur is following pregnancy or weight loss. The muscle separation that occurs following pregnancy is known as “diastasis recti”, and it is often incorrectly considered a hernia. Some patients also have a true abdominal wall hernia that can be repaired at the time of abdominoplasty. Many patients note a fatty or hanging mons (pubic area) that can also be improved as part of a tummy tuck procedure.
Total Aesthetics in Westport and Fairfield County
In most cases, Dr. O’Connell performs abdominoplasties under general anesthesia and patients return home the day of surgery. Most commonly, a full abdominoplasty is performed. At Total Aesthetics in Westport tummy tucks are usually performed under local anesthesia, again as an ambulatory, outpatient procedure.
Most full abdominoplasties, including Dr. O’Connell’s BAND-Abdominoplasty, utilize a gently curved incision in the bikini area to obtain access to the lower abdominal wall. The umbilicus is also encircled with a separate incision. The separation of the rectus muscles is visualized and securely repaired. The excess skin and fat in the area below the umbilicus is removed, and progressive tension sutures are placed to eliminate the need for drains. In some cases, the mons is secured in a higher, more aesthetic location prior to closing the incision in layers. While the umbilicus is the same belly button you started with, it now has a scar around its periphery, and sometimes the belly button is shortened or modified to make it more attractive.
Liposuction can be performed as part of the tummy tuck, and any true hernia of the upper abdominal wall can usually be repaired at the time of abdominoplasty.
For some patients considering abdominal contouring, the recovery time, risks, scarring, and costs can remove abdominoplasty from consideration, at least temporarily. This does not, however, necessarily mean that abdominal contour cannot be improved.
For patients who do not wish for abdominoplasty or who are not candidates for abdominoplasty, Total Aesthetics offers the following tummy tuck alternatives:
Different types of abdominoplasties including modified abdominoplasty and mini abdominoplasty
Liposuction: a procedure also known as suction lipectomy, or lipoplasty, in which fat is removed from an area of the body by suction through small incisions
CoolSculpting: a non-invasive technique to remove fat without need for needles, incisions, lasers, or anesthesia with essentially no recovery time
BodyTite: radiofrequency-based skin tightening that is commonly combined with liposuction.
CoolTone: strengthens and tones muscles, improves diastasis recti and reduces fat through Magnetic Muscle Stimulation (MMS) technology
Each of these procedures presents its own unique set of potential benefits, costs, and risks. The last four can be performed independently of abdominoplasty. It is important to note, however, that for patients who are best served by a full tummy tuck procedure, the above referenced procedures involve compromises and modification of the aesthetic goals.
A reverse abdominoplasty is an uncommonly utilized technique where skin excess is pushed upward and the resulting scarring is placed under the breast area.
Abdominoplasty: a surgical procedure to correct skin and fat excess and muscle laxity of the abdominal wall, also known as a tummy tuck
Diastasis recti: separation of the rectus muscles of the abdominal wall
Drains: tubes that remove blood and serum following surgery. Whenever possible, by performing a drainless tummy tuck (or no-drain tummy tuck), Dr. O’Connell avoids the use of drains during abdominoplasty
Mons: the area of the genitalia where the pubic hair is located
Liposuction is commonly used during tummy tuck surgery to help refine aesthetic results.
In most instances in our practice, abdominoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, with our patients returning to their homes on the day of surgery.
When administering a tummy tuck Westport plastic surgeon, Dr. O’Connell, prefers the drainless variety, utilizing a special technique known as progressive tension suturing.
As part of the preoperative process, you may be asked to:
Obtain blood work to evaluate your blood counts and clotting system
Stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, supplements, and other medications that can increase the risk of bleeding
Stop smoking
In some cases, you will be asked to obtain a medical evaluation from your primary care physician
In most cases with patients in and around Westport tummy tucking is an outpatient procedure. You must have a responsible adult drive you home from your tummy tuck surgery and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours
Post-Pregnancy Imperfections
A Dissatisfying Midsection
To be a proper candidate for a tummy tuck Westport patients should already be in good overall health. Tummy tucks produce permanent scarring, and prospective patients should be aware of the locations of these scars and the fact that no guarantee can be provided as to the appearance of the scars. While we understand that weight loss can sometimes be extremely difficult, it is best to be at or near your goal weight prior to abdominal contouring.
1: The amount of skin that is removed
2: The location of the scars
3: The extent of undermining performed
4: Whether liposuction is concomitantly performed.
Some common types of abdominoplasties are:
Full Abdominoplasty
Skin is removed from the umbilicus (belly button) to the pubic area with repair of muscle separation (diastasis recti) sometimes accompanied by fat removal via liposuction. Scarring is usually in the bikini line area (“hip-to-hip”) and around the umbilicus.
Mini Abdominoplasty
Skin is removed in a limited area just above the pubic area and is usually not accompanied by muscle repair. Scarring is limited to a small region of the suprapubic area, resembling an extended C-section scar. This can be an excellent alternative for women with a slight amount of overhang just above their C-section scar.
Partial/Modified Abdominoplasty
Skin is removed from the pubic region upward but stops well short of the umbilicus. Muscle repair and liposuction are commonly performed. Scarring in the suprapubic or bikini area is shorter than in full abdominoplasty, and there is usually no scar around the umbilicus.
Lipoabdominoplasty
A type of full abdominoplasty where more limited undermining is performed and replaced with more extensive liposuction.
BAND Abdominoplasty is a tummy tuck technique developed by Dr. O'Connell that utilizes specialized suturing technology designed to significantly improve outcomes and reduce the most common risks associated with a tummy tuck.
The most common risks include seroma, which is the build-up of fluid under the skin. Seroma formation may be associated with an increased risk of infection and breakdown of the surgical site. In order to prevent the risk of these complications with this procedure, drains have typically been used to ensure proper drainage.
But with the development of absorbable PDO Quill sutures as well as placement of absorbable progressive tension sutures, Dr. O'Connell has come up with a way to circumvent the need for drains and reduce the opportunities for infection to take hold.
BAND stands for Bidirectional, Absorbable, No Drain. This means that Dr. O’Connell does the tummy tuck procedure without drains and nothing permanent is left inside of you. The absorbable, bidirectional Quill™ sutures don’t require knots, which can trap bacteria and allow infections to develop. A special technique known as progressive tension suturing eliminates the need for drains, which also reduces infection risk, as well as scarring and recovery time.
All of these methods help patients recover more quickly with fewer complications, and make for a much more positive post-surgery experience.
Dr. O’Connell has been using these advanced techniques that do not require drains or permanent sutures at his practice in Westport, CT since 2011. His work outlining the techniques used in BAND-Abdominoplasty and its effectiveness in preventing major postoperative complications was published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery journal in 2018.
Dr. Joseph O’Connell
New York Trained, Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
President, Connecticut Society of Plastic Surgeons
Learn More About Dr. Joseph O’Connell
As with all plastic surgical procedures, safety is paramount. During your confidential consultation for a tummy tuck Westport plastic surgeon, Dr. O’Connell, will carefully review your medical history including allergies, medication and tobacco use, and, especially, any excessive tendency for clotting. Because pregnancy and weight loss can affect each prospective abdominoplasty patient differently, Dr. O’Connell will carefully evaluate the relative contributions of skin excess, muscle separation (diastasis recti), and fatty excess to help you determine which procedures might provide the best aesthetic results for you.
You will have an opportunity to view explanatory videos and interactive diagrams on TouchMD as well as photographs of prior tummy tuck patients to help you understand your anatomy and the effects of pregnancy, weight loss, and the aging process and also to understand your aesthetic goals. The various options for abdominal contouring, both surgical and non-surgical, will be reviewed along with their risks, costs, and potential benefits, and you will have ample opportunity to have all your questions answered. Finally, you will be provided with written materials to help you understand the Westport abdominoplasty options available to you — you can even review your consultation at home with TouchMD.
A Castle Connolly New York Metro Area Top Doctor for 22 consecutive years
Connecticut Magazine Top Doctors list for 2023
Recognized by New York Magazine as one of the city’s Best Doctors in 2018, 2021, & 2023.
Following abdominoplasty, you will rest in the “beach chair” position but are encouraged to ambulate immediately after surgery. Our patients initially wear an abdominal binder with padding. You will be provided with pain medication and medications to prevent nausea and vomiting as well as detailed written instructions. Most patients are allowed to shower at 48 hours.
Most patients are able to drive in about 7 days and can return to sedentary work in about 10 days. For many years, Dr. O’Connell has allowed his patients to resume gym workouts at 21 days following tummy tuck surgery (provided that no true hernias were repaired during the procedure).
Dr. O’Connell will see you several times during the postoperative period to ensure that healing is progressing normally, to review your care, and to address any questions or concerns that you might have.
All medical and surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications, and the final decision whether to proceed with surgery is a personal one based upon your evaluation of the risks and potential benefits of abdominoplasty. Some risks of tummy tuck surgery include:
Because of the added risk of VTE associated with abdominoplasty Westport patients of Total Aesthetics are risk-stratified with a Caprini score in order to help determine appropriate risk reduction measures.
According to recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a tummy tuck is $6,154. It is important to understand that the cost of tummy tuck surgery can vary widely and the average fee noted above does not include facility and anesthesia costs or other related expenses such as medications, garments, and medical tests. Because most full and modified abdominoplasties are performed under general anesthesia in hospitals or other licensed outpatient facilities, the facility and anesthesia costs can easily account for 50 percent or more of the total cost.
When considering abdominoplasty always ask if the quoted price includes all anesthesia and facility fees. Do not be fooled by a low surgeon’s fee accompanied by unknown anesthesia and facility fees.
While most health insurance plans do not cover tummy tuck surgery Westport doctor, Dr. O’Connell, offers patient financing through CareCredit.
At Total Aesthetics, most mini abdominoplasties are performed under local anesthesia, and costs are substantially lower.
The scarring from an abdominoplasty is designed to be hidden as much as possible by a swimsuit or undergarment. There is often a scar adjacent to the belly button that remains visible in two-piece swimwear.
How is Total Aesthetics different?
Westport plastic surgeon, Dr. O’Connell, is the originator of the BAND-Abdominoplasty, which stands for the hallmarks of his technique, “Bidirectional, Absorbable, No Drain.” His technique includes repair of the muscle diastasis utilizing bidirectional Quill™ sutures, which are also used to close the skin. In order to reduce the risk of long-term infection, only absorbable sutures are used and no permanent suture material is utilized in most cases. Finally, whenever possible, Dr. O’Connell performs a drainless tummy tuck, or “no-drain abdominoplasty,” with an advanced technique utilizing progressive tension sutures.
Body contouring is about shape, and plastic surgeons are the physicians who are most experienced and qualified in this area. Dr. O’Connell has over 35 years of hands-on experience in body contouring, and abdominoplasty is one of the surgical procedures that he specializes in.
In most cases, Dr. O’Connell performs an advanced tummy tuck technique that does not require drains or permanent sutures.
The first step towards a new, beautiful you is to schedule a personal consultation.
Along with providing the highest level of care, no effort is spared to create an environment where each patient is nurtured and cared for as an individual. Use our form to contact Dr. O’Connell with questions about any of our aesthetic or plastic surgery procedures.
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