Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty Minnesota

Traditional Tummy Tuck

Traditional abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a body contouring procedure used to target and trim the abdominal area. This popular procedure involves making an incision along the waistline, removing excess fat and tissue, and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. It also gets rid of loose or wrinkled skin and stretch marks. Both women and men can benefit from this effective body contouring surgery. In cases where only the lower abdomen needs to be trimmed, a partial abdominoplasty may be performed.

Traditional full tummy tuck addresses the three defective components (skin, fat, and muscle) so that it benefits patients who opt for a flat stomach and tight skin. Under general anesthesia, a relatively long incision on the bikini line just above the pubic area is made. A second incision is then made around the belly button. The skin and fat together are separated from the abdominal wall and lifted up the rib cage, exposing the rectus muscles fascia (the sheath that covers the muscles and works as an inner girdle). The fascia is then sutured to tighten loose or stretched out muscles below the fascia, forming a tighter abdominal wall and a thinner waist. The skin is stretched down, and excess skin and fat are removed. A new opening is cut on the skin for repositioning of the belly button, in which drains are typically inserted to eliminate fluid and blood buildup. Every effort is made to hide the scars in the bikini area. The incision is then closed, and a firm dressing is placed on the abdomen. The limited liposuction to remove excess fat from hips and flanks are often performed in conjunction with the tummy tuck for a more satisfying contour result.

The traditional tummy tuck is associated with a relatively high complication rate due to the required large undermining of the anterior abdominal flap, which can cause extensive trauma and compromise to the blood supply of the abdominal flap. General anesthesia is typically required for the surgery because of the extensive tissue dissection and manipulation.

Dr. Shu's Technique

The RejuveTummy™ Lipoabdominoplasty procedure for a safe office tummy tuck totally under local anesthesia:

Dr. Shu has adopted a revolutionary minimally invasive approach to tummy tucks that can be safely and effectively performed as an office procedure completely under local tumescent anesthesia. The technique, called RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty, combines two procedures—liposuction of the abdomen and a tummy tuck. Dr. Shu's technique involves extensive liposuction and preserves the perforating vessels and Scarpa’s fascia, providing faster recovery time and better body contour with fewer complications compared to a traditional tummy tuck. By avoiding the use of general anesthesia or heavy sedation (and complications associated with this type of anesthesia), this new procedure offers an improved postoperative recovery.

The management of the belly button, skin incisions, and amount of skin removed are identical in both procedures. The tightening of the muscles can be performed with either procedure. However, Dr. Shu's technique can remove a larger amount of fat, which can improve abdominal contour by thinning the fat layer considerably more compared to a traditional tummy tuck, while also decreasing the risks of skin necrosis. In addition, Dr. Shu's approach does not require the use of traditional suction drains.

Performing the RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty procedure totally under local tumescent anesthesia adds additional benefits over the traditional tummy tuck:

	Traditional Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)	RejuveTummy™ Lipoabdominoplasty
Anesthesia	General anesthesia With post anesthesia reaction	Local tumescent anesthesia Awake, can eat and ambulate
Liposuction	Limited	Extensive
Bleeding and trauma	Significant	Minimal
Perforating vessels and Scarpa’s fascia	Not preserved	Preserved
Abdominal suction drains	Yes	No
Operating time	long	Relatively short
Recovery	Slow and long recovery	Fast and short recovery
Post operative pain	Moderate to severe	moderate
Supra-pubic skin sensitivity	Less preserved	More Preserved
Safety	More complications	Fewer complications
Incision and scar	Long	Relatively short
Abdominal profile	Less natural	More natural and youthful

Minimal bleeding occurs due to the vasoconstriction created by the tumescent anesthesia. Traditional tummy tucks can be associated with profuse bleeding or even blood transfusions, requiring meticulous hemostasis throughout the surgery using electrocautery (which by itself creates blood vessel and tissue heat damage).
The patient is wide awake and can ambulate, eat and drink during the surgery. This cannot be done during a traditional tummy tuck. Following liposuction and before the tummy tuck, the patient can be inspected in a standing position if the surgeon wants to record the shape and size of the skin to be removed. This step eliminates guessing and improves the odds to achieve a satisfying body shape and contour line, as well as a symmetrical skin incision.
The operating time is significantly reduced since bleeding is not involved.
The technique eliminates skin puckering on either end of the scar (dog ears), as liposuction allows the creation of similar fat thickness in the superior and inferior borders of the flap.
The post-operative period is similar to that of an abdomen liposuction procedure. The patient is able to stand up and function normally after the surgery, results that cannot be seen after a standard tummy tuck under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. Due to its long lasting effects, tumescent anesthesia offers a minimum of 12 hours pain control following the surgery.
Less noticeable scar compared to a scar from a traditional tummy tuck
This new approach creates a more youthful abdominal silhouette and more harmonious results while avoiding complications and the prolonged recovery time associated with the traditional tummy tuck.
Preserves the supra-pubic sensitivity and is safer for smokers and post-bariatric patients

Limitations of a RejuveTummy™lipoabdominoplasty

The tummy tuck procedure will not remove stretch marks on the mid or upper abdomen, but it will shift the marks lower. A scar will extend across the lowest part of your abdomen at about the bikini line. An additional small scar will appear if the belly button requires transposition. However, these scars can be easily hidden by underwear or a swimming suit. The scars typically worsen in the first 3 to 6 months while they heal, and it takes approximately 9 months to a year before scars blend into the surrounding skin. Serious complications are rare, but there are risks to consider with every surgery.

You are at increased risk for complications if you have diabetes, poor circulation, heart, lung, or liver disease, smoke, have a family history of blood clots, or take certain medications. Morbid obese patients are not recommended for this procedure.

RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty Recovery

Anesthesia: local tumescent anesthesia with or without intravenous sedation (twilight anesthesia)
Length of Surgery: 3 hours
Pain level: Moderate, 3-7 days of pain medication
Numbness: At least 6 months
Work: Can usually return in 1 week
Exercise: Resume after 4 weeks
Final result: About 6-12 months after scar heals

What are the differences between RejuveTummyTM lipoabdominoplasty and traditional tummy tuck?

	Traditional Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)	RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty
Anesthesia	General anesthesia With post anesthesia reaction	Local tumescent anesthesia Awake, can eat and ambulate
Liposuction	Limited	Extensive
Bleeding and trauma	Significant	Minimal
Perforating vessels and Scarpa’s fascia	Not preserved	Preserved
Abdominal suction drains	Yes	No
Operating time	long	Relatively short
Recovery	Slow and long recovery	Fast and short recovery
Post operative pain	Moderate to severe	moderate
Supra-pubic skin sensitivity	Less preserved	More Preserved
Safety	More complications	Fewer complications
Incision and scar	Long	Relatively short
Abdominal profile	Less natural	More natural and youthful

The traditional tummy tuck is associated with a relatively high complication rate due to the required large undermining of the anterior abdominal flap. General anesthesia is typically required for the surgery because of the extensive tissue dissection and manipulation.

The RejuveTummyTM lipoabdominoplasty combines two procedures—liposuction of the abdomen and a tummy tuck under local tumescent anesthesia. Dr. Shu's technique involves extensive liposuction and preserves the perforating vessels and Scarpa’s fascia, providing faster recovery time and better body contour with fewer complications compared to a traditional tummy tuck. By avoiding the use of general anesthesia or heavy sedation, this new procedure offers an improved postoperative recovery.

Dr. Shu's technique can remove a larger amount of fat, which can improve abdominal contour by thinning the fat layer considerably more compared to a traditional tummy tuck, while also decreasing the risks of skin necrosis. It is even safer for smokers and post-bariatric patients. In addition, Dr. Shu's approach does not require the use of traditional suction drains.

Who is an ideal candidate for a RejuveTummy™lipoabdominoplasty?

The lipoabdominoplasty procedure is ideal for the healthy patients who experience a bulging abdomen, excess fat, or sagging skin in the abdominal region. It can also be used to correct muscle weakness.

Does a RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty require a general anesthetic or hospitalization?

No. The lipoabdominoplasty can be performed under the tumescent (local) anesthesia and IV sedation in the ambulatory setting.

What are the risks and complications for a RejuveTummy™ lipoabdominoplasty?

The lipoabdominoplasty has fewer complications compared to a traditional tummy tuck. Risks and complications of this procedure may include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, scarring, numbness, and change in feeling. The abdomen area may temporarily experience some irregularity from the liposuction.