
		Sometimes, although you may be in good shape, your stomach may not reflect your state of fitness because of excess fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that will not respond to diet or exercise. A "tummy tuck," or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdomen wall. Typically, our surgeons, who are trained in body contouring, can perform the procedure on an outpatient basis at our surgical center. A complete abdominoplasty generally takes two to five hours while a partial abdominoplasty may take one or two hours. Recovery usually takes place with a matter or weeks, or sometimes months, depending on your physical condition going into the operation. For many patients, the results are long lasting when their recovery is combined with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.

		Some persons have areas of fat on their bodies that will not respond to traditional weight-loss methods. Using liposuction, Charleston Plastic Surgery can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, neck, and other areas. Today, there are many options and techniques used to remove excess fat. Dr. Hagerty and Dr. Harvey have many years of surgical training and experience and can help you decide which treatment is right for you. Oftentimes, we can perform the procedure on an out-patient basis at our surgical center. Sometimes, however, if a large volume of fat is removed or if you are having other procedures performed simultaneously, you may need an overnight stay in a hospital. Depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used, the time for the procedure will vary. After surgery, you should begin to feel better within a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days. You will see a appreciable difference in your body's shape of your body soon after surgery. There will be some swelling after surgery that may take four to six weeks to subside. Afterwards, you will notice an even greater improvement in your body's contour.

		In the past, surgeons used skin "flaps" or "grafts" to reconstruct damaged tissue. Unlike these procedures, tissue expansion uses a silicone balloon which is inserted under the skin near the area to be repaired and then gradually filled with salt water. Over time, the surrounding skin stretches and grows as the balloon fills. Tissue expansion is used in reconstructing many parts of the body, such as the breast, scalp, face, neck, hands, arms, and legs. Typically, the procedure is used for breast reconstruction following breast removal. Additionally, it is used to repair skin damaged by birth defects, accidents, or surgery, and in certain cosmetic procedures. Because tissue expansion takes place over time with repeated visits to our office for salt water injections, the procedure can last three to four months. However, with tissue expansion, we can nearly match the color, the texture, and the hair-bearing qualities of the skin being replaced with little scarring. We perform most tissue expansion procedures on an outpatient basis. The initial operation takes approximately one to two hours. You must return to our office regularly so that the expander can be injected with additional saline. In time, after the skin has stretched enough to cover the area concerned. Then, depending on the complexity of the affected area, we will perform one or more operations to remove and reposition the expander tissue. Your recovery time depends on the extent and complexity of the procedure.