{"id":729,"date":"2009-11-18T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2009-11-18T14:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=729"},"modified":"2009-11-18T10:00:08","modified_gmt":"2009-11-18T14:00:08","slug":"thinking-tummy-tuck-liposuction-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2009\/11\/18\/thinking-tummy-tuck-liposuction-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastic Surgery: Improving Appearance and Overall Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TummyAccording to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, tummy tucks and liposuction were among the top five cosmetic surgery procedures sought by patients in 2008. With more than 365,000 Americans opting for these procedures, statistics show that men and women alike are choosing cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance and overall sense of well-being.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many healthy outcomes for patients who have thought long and hard about correcting a physical feature that has plagued them for years,\u201d said Martha S. Matthews, M.D.<\/a>, Head of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery<\/a> at Cooper University Hospital. \u201cBoth physical and psychological discomfort can be healed through the many options of plastic surgery,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

A tummy tuck \u2013 the medical term is abdominoplasty \u2013 is a major surgical operation that minimizes the abdominal area by removing excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen, and then tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.<\/p>\n

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that uses a stainless steel suction tube, called a cannula, to surgically remove fat cells from certain areas of the body. Liposuction is an option to remove bulges and improve body shape. The abdomen is one of the most commonly treated areas.<\/p>\n

Patients with flabby midsections, however, are sometimes confused about which procedure \u2013 a tummy tuck or liposuction \u2013 might be best for them, Dr. Matthews said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important to understand that the final result of liposuction depends on the skin\u2019s ability to shrink down after the underlying fat is removed. For patients with poor skin tone, for example a lot of stretch marks or a lot of loose skin above the navel, liposuction would not be the best choice. Some people benefit from both liposuction and tummy tuck,\u201d Dr. Matthews said.<\/p>\n

The best candidates for tummy tuck are men or women who are in good physical condition but are bothered by large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin below the navel that does not respond to diet or exercise.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerally, people who intend to lose weight, and women who plan future pregnancies, should postpone tummy tuck surgery until after they\u2019re within 10 or so pounds of their goal weight and have had all the children they plan to have,\u201d Dr. Matthews said.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s crucial for anyone considering any kind of cosmetic surgery, noted Dr. Matthews, is to first make a consultation appointment with a plastic surgeon who can discuss and explain options, and answer specific questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI often see people for consultation to explain to them what the likely results will be and advise them on what I think is best for their particular needs and condition. I also explain the pros and the cons of every option so that patients can make an informed decision based on their individual needs, as well as any factors that might increase risk or lead to less-than-perfect results,\u201d Dr. Matthews said.<\/p>\n

While consultations with plastic surgeons typically require a fee (At Cooper, the fee is applied as a credit to any surgery scheduled within one year.), Dr. Matthews invites anyone with questions to telephone her office.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our practice, prospective patients can call and talk to our cosmetic surgery coordinator, Connie, or to our nurse, Carlene, at any time, at no charge. Both of these women are very knowledgeable and can provide lots of information, including a rough idea of costs, with no obligation on the part of the caller.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, for anyone just \u2018shopping\u2019 or thinking about cosmetic surgery but not yet ready to commit, feel free to call our practice at 856.342.3113 and ask for Connie or Carlene who can answer your questions,\u00a0 or e-mail us directly at plastic-surgery@cooperhealth.edu<\/a>,\u201d Dr. Matthews said.<\/p>\n

Dr. Matthews sees patients at two office locations:\u00a0 6017 Main Street, Voorhees<\/a>, and Three Cooper Plaza, Camden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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