Smart choices in Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) A Practical Guide Available electronically at https://mychicagoplasticsurgeons.com/e-books/
TABLE OF CONTENTS Tummy Tuck Basics....3 How do I get started?...4 Are all Tummy Tucks the same?...5 Abdominoplasty...7 Recovery...8 Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon.....9 Am I Ready?.. 12 What is ASPS?.....13 Meet the Doctor.14 Meet Our Staff.15 Contact Information...17
Tummy Tuck Basics Who gets a tummy tuck? Here are some tummy tuck facts*: People with loose or excess skin in their abdomen that does not respond to diet or exercise. Women with slack muscles and skin due to pregnancies or fluctuating weight. Women or men that want to improve the look and/or shape of their body. Tummy tucks may be performed in a hospital or outpatient facility, depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient. Surgery normally lasts 3-4 hours. Patients can return to work after 10-14 days depending on their particular surgery. Patients should wait 4-6 weeks or more to resume strenuous activities and workouts. Scars will fade and flatten in three (3) months to two (2) years. Obese patients who plan to lose weight should postpone surgery until they reach their ideal weight. Most people will lose weight after surgery due to muscle tightness. *Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Page 3
How Do I Get Started? Come in! The best way to get started is to come in for a personal consultation! The consultation for abdominoplasty in our offices is complimentary. The consultation takes about 30 minutes and includes a full medical history and an exam. During your exam, Dr. Szczerba will be taking your measurements and asking questions to see what outcome you desire. Then a custom surgical plan is developed so you achieve an optimal outcome. Page 4
Are all Tummy Tucks the same? All Tummy Tucks are not the same because not all tummies are the same. Here are some variables we are checking for during your exam: The amount of loose skin Surgical scars from other surgeries Stretch marks Lax abdominal muscles Hernias such as in the umbilicus or along the midline Extra unwanted pockets of fat on the front, sides or back of the torso Whether or not the tummy tuck needs to be combined with another procedure such as liposuction Page 5
Are all Tummy Tucks the same? There are three general types of Tummy Tucks: 1. Simple skin excision- just small amount of loose skin usually removed below the bikini line usually but not always over a C- section scar. 2. Mini Tummy Tuck- this surgery is done through a low, small incision just above the pubic area and allows muscle tightening and removal of some excess lower abdominal skin. 3. Full Tummy tuck- this surgery is done through full length incision below the bikini line and around the belly button. The maximum amount of skin is removed and allows maximum muscle tightening. 4. Combining liposuction- areas of excess fat pockets that are outside the area that is being removed is addressed with liposuction. The flank areas are the most common. Back fat and upper abdominal fat can be treated usually the same day. Occasionally patients come back after healing fully, and have the entire torso liposuctioned to further safely sculpt their waist area. 5. Combining hernia repair. Umbilical and midline hernias are easily fixed during these surgeries. Only certain hernias need to be dealt with a later surgery. Page 6
Abdominoplasty Full Abdominoplasty with lipo 54 year old female shown before her Tummy Tuck and 10 months after her surgery. Patient Consent on file. Page 7
Page 18Page Recovery: We focus on Rapid Recovery! We focus on rapid recovery techniques during and after surgery so you are back to your normal routine as soon as you feel comfortable. We have found that most women can return to work in about 10-14 days however each patient is different and some have gone to back to work sooner. Due to the long acting pain medications we inject during the procedure, patients report more pressure than actual pain for the first day, then mild soreness or discomfort for several days after surgery. The combination of prescribed medications has been consistently reported by out patients to be more than enough to get you through the recovery. A comfortable chair to recover in, plenty of rest and healthy food options are recommended while you are healing. We ll give you the instructions for caring for the surgical incisions during your preoperative visit. As well as before and after surgery care and answer any and all questions. Dr. Szczerba has a very structured follow-up schedule after abdominoplasty and advances your exercise activity and your garments for abdominal support based on how the surgery went and how the patient is healing. Page 8
Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon] What are your credentials and training experience? Always look for board certification and the ASPS symbol. How many procedure of this type have your performed? Dr. Stefan Szczerba has performed hundreds of abdominoplasty cases and has been in practice since 2005. We at CASI perform tummy tucks on a regular basis and usually perform your surgery on a day that allows a scheduled follow up visit later in the week. Where and how will you perform my procedure? Your procedure will usually take place at Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute where we have JACHO accredited surgical suites. Surgery at a hospital in the area is also an option however, recent studies show that office based surgery has less complications than surgery at a hospital.* How long of a recovery period can I expect? What kind of help will I need during my recovery? Although most of our patients take off about two weeks from work, many have told us that they felt well enough to go back to work 10-14 days after surgery. Since pain medications are required for about two days, some help may be required until you are off pain medications. Please do not drive if you are taking narcotics. You should also hold off from heavy lifting and exercise for 4-6 weeks. After two weeks, Dr. Szczerba will advance your routine with each follow-up visit. *Is Office-Based Surgery Safe? Comparing 184,914 Aesthetic Surgery Procedures Across Different Types of Accredited Facilities. Gupta, V., Parikh R. et al. Aesthet Surg J. (2016) 37 (2):226-235. Page 9
Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon](Cont.) Will my recovery keep me from my usual daily activities such as work? After your operation, you can move your legs in the normal range of motion and can even go out for short walks but hold off from any strenuous activity that would raise your heart rate. Depending on the job most patients return to work 10-14 days post-surgery. What do I need to do to prepare for surgery? Since anesthesia requirements are based on age and medical history, our office will provide you with all the information you will need to get ready for surgery. A formal preoperative physical exam with your primary is never discouraged! We ask that you have any required testing completed and results available during your pre-op appointment which is usually two weeks before surgery. A formal medical history and physical exam (H&P) stratifying your risks from anesthesia is called an H&P clearance and is generally recommended somewhere between 35-40 years of age. However, depending on your risk factors, health and lifestyle, a series of tests like an EKG, CBC, PT/PTT, blood chemistry panel as well as a mammogram for the appropriate patient may be recommended by your primary physician. Page 10
Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon](Cont.) What are the risks? As with all surgeries, the risks cannot be eliminated altogether. Here are some risks: Anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, seroma, poor wound healing (increased with smokers), skin loss, numbing sensation, skin discoloration, scarring. How are complications handled? We follow a very fair and open policy on revisions and complications. The details are covered by Dr. Szczerba during your visit before surgery and a written policy statement is available. Page 11
Am I Ready? Things to Consider Pros: A Tummy Tuck is a long-term solution for achieving a balanced figure. Your clothes will fit better You will have a more youthful-looking figure You may see an increase in your confidence. Cons: The recovery time can take a while. Normal surgical risks are involved Page 12
What is ASPS? The ASPS is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It s the society a plastic surgeon joins after he or she is board certified. When everyone talks about making sure your plastic surgeon is board certified, this is what they are talking about- you have to be board certified to be a member of the ASPS! The mission of ASPS is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. The society is a strong advocate for patient safety and requires its members to operate in accredited surgical facilities that have passed rigorous external review of equipment and staffing. The criteria are listed here, but at least you know to look for the ASPS symbol when choosing a plastic surgeon. Membership Requirements: Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training Pass comprehensive oral and written exams Graduate from an accredited medical school Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year Perform surgery in accredited, statelicensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities Adhere to a strict Code of Ethics Page 13
Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship (one year) : New York Eye & Ear Infirmary New York, New York Dr. Stefan Szczerba Plastic Surgery Fellowship (three years): Emory University. Atlanta, Georgia. General Surgery Residency (five years): Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Chicago, Illinois. Medical School (four years): Rush Medical College Chicago, Illinois. There are only a few aesthetic surgery fellowship trained, board certified plastic surgeons around. It s important to feel safe and confident in choosing a properly trained and certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Szczerba has been in practice since 2005 and performs hundreds of tummy tuck surgeries per year. Page 14
Meet Our Staff Janine Pawlus, BSN, RN Practice Manager, Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Anita Wozniczka, NP Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Joanna Office manager Licensed Aesthetician Kerry Certified Nursing Assistant Justyna Patient Care Coordinator Nancy Patient Care Coordinator Page 15
That s About It There is never any pressure! Thankfully we do this every week! So, when you are ready to schedule your surgery, just give us a call and we ll start working on getting you onto our schedule. We re thrilled that you considering this and look forward to taking excellent care of you! Page 16
Contact Information We have three offices to serve you! Rosemont: 10400 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 100 Downtown: 900 N. Kingsbury Suite 130-N Hoffman Estates: 2500 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 380 Phone (all three offices): 847.853.9900 Fax: 847.297.8208 www.casi-nd.com Copyright 2018 Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute Page 17