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Listed in "San
Francisco Magazine"
as one of the Best Cosmetic Surgeons in the
San Francisco Bay Area.
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| Abdominoplasty
(Tummy Tuck) |
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A tummy
tuck
is designed to firm and smooth
your stomach by removing
excess loose skin and fat and
tightening the muscles of the
abdominal wall. The result is
a flatter, more contoured
abdomen. A tummy tuck
performed by a top Bay Area
cosmetic surgeon can boost the
way you look and feel. Stop
fearing your swimsuit!
Call our Bay Area cosmetic
surgery center today for a
free private consultation with
Dr. Zandi about your
tummy tuck.
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| Who
is a Good Candidate? |
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Anyone who has any or a combination of the following: |
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Excess
or sagging skin of the abdomen. |
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Protruding
abdomen or pot belly. |
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Weak
abdominal muscles. |
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Excess
accumulation of fatty tissue on
the abdomen. |
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| Private
Consultation: |
During
your initial consultation you will discuss
with Dr. Zandi your past and
present medical conditions and current
medications. Please inform him of any thyroid problems,
hypertension,
or diabetes. He should also know about
your past surgeries, allergies to any
medications, and personal habits such
as smoking and drinking.
A
physical examination will be performed
to evaluate your skin condition, muscle
tone, and the
amount of loose skin and excess fat accumulation. Preoperative
photographs will be taken. You may be
shown before and after photographs. Lab
tests, x-rays or EKG may be ordered depending
on your general health. At the end of
the consultation and physical examination,
fees will be discussed
with you by the doctor and his staff.
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| Preparation: |
Stop
all non-prescriptive medication, diet
pills, herbs, and garlic two weeks before
surgery.
It is advisable to stop smoking two
weeks prior to and two weeks following
surgery. Do not drink any alcoholic
beverage two days prior to and one week
following surgery.
Stop all prescribed
or nonprescribed diet products three
weeks before surgery.
Avoid
taking aspirin
and aspirin
containing products such as Advil and
avoid garlic and garlic products two
weeks prior to surgery. These products
can prolong bleeding and increase bruising.
Tylenol may be taken during this period.
For
a period of two days before surgery, wash your
entire torso from shoulders to mid-thighs with Betadine soap for 15 minutes twice per
day. An additional wash should be done
right before the surgery. You may use skin care products after these
washes, except the last wash before surgery.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight
before surgery. You may, however, take
prescriptive medication with a small amount
of water and brush your teeth the morning
of surgery. Wear a loose fitting shirt
that does not pull over your head to the
surgical suite. Loose sweats are recommended
as you will be in a compression garment
after surgery and clothing may be difficult
to get on. Do not wear jewelry or bring
valuables.
Please
plan to have someone take you to and
from the
clinic and stay with
you the first 24 hours. Notify the office
staff of this person's name and telephone number prior to surgery.
Have
all prescriptions filled a few days before
surgery so they will be available when you arrive home from surgery.
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The
Procedure: |
A tummy tuck is usually performed using
general anesthesia on an outpatient
basis. In most cases a horizontal incision
is made just above the pubic area
where it can be hidden by your underwear
or swimwear. The
length of the incision depends on the
amount of excess skin to be removed. Please bring
your favorite bikini or bathing
suit so that the doctor can plan the
scar to be hidden under it. Through
this incision the excess skin is pulled
down and removed along with excess fatty
tissue. The navel may be pulled down
slightly or cut and resutured through
a new opening. If stretch marks are
present on the lower abdomen, some can
be removed along with excess loose skin.
Any stretch marks that are above the
navel may be pulled down to appear
less conspicuous. Liposuction can be
performed in combination with abdominoplasty
to contour the waistline and hip area.
The results of this surgery are long
lasting but can be affected by lifestyle
and genetics. Removal of fat is almost
permanent, barring significant weight
gain following surgery.
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| Postoperative
Care: |
After surgery, rest with your head and knees
elevated on two or more pillows. It may be
difficult to stand straight. Remain in
bending position by flexion of the hip and
gradually stretch to normal position in one
to two weeks.
You
will be sent home in an abdominal binder
with bandages underneath. You will be
instructed on changing the bandages. If
you are sent home with a urinary catheter
in your bladder, it should be removed
the day after surgery. To remove it,
simply cut the middle of the small extension
of the catheter that is not connected
to the bag. Drains are usually in place
for a few days following surgery. You
may take a shower the day after the drains
are removed. Sutures will be removed in
two stages approximately 5 to 10 days
following surgery. You will be given
appointments for these visits. You should wear the
abdominal binder for up to three weeks
following surgery. Most swelling and bruising
will subside in two weeks or so.
You may experience some numbness in the lower portion of your abdomen,
which is normal and may last for a few
weeks to a few months following surgery.
The final result may be seen in three to
six months.
Social activity can be resumed in
approximately three weeks when swelling
and discomfort begin to subside. Bruising can
last up to two weeks. You may return to
work after two to four weeks depending on your
job. Traveling is allowed after four weeks.
Driving is allowed after one week. Light
walking may begin in one week and walking
for exercise can be resumed after two
weeks or so. Strenuous activity or
exercise should be avoided for four weeks.
Constipation is common after this
surgery. Taking one ounce of milk of
magnesia (over the counter) a day can
help relieve this symptom. Please call
the office if you have any questions.
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| Fees: |
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Fees are customarily paid two
weeks prior to surgery to ensure the
patient is sincere in her motivation.
Tummy tuck fees include the
cosmetic surgeon's fee, the facility
charge for a private and fully
accredited Bay Area cosmetic surgery
center, and the anesthesiologist or
certified nurse anesthetist's fee, if
general anesthesia is used. Also
included are any laboratory tests
performed in the office or use of
special equipment. Insurance plans
rarely cover cosmetic surgery, but
please feel free to ask the office staff
if you have any questions in that
regard.
We understand that the decision to
undergo a tummy tuck is a major one, and
we are here to address your concerns and
questions. Please call our cosmetic
surgery center near San Jose to talk to knowledgeable
staff about your tummy tuck or to set up a free private
consultation. Dr. Zandi is a top-rated,
board certified Bay Area cosmetic
surgeon whose tummy tuck patients come from all
over the greater San Jose and San
Francisco regions.
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