The Truth About How to Get Rid of the FUPA with a Tummy Tuck
Welcome to a glimpse into the world of aesthetic surgery! In this blog post, as a board-certified, female plastic surgeon, listen as I provide an insider’s perspective on the key steps involved in a tummy tuck procedure. In the video below, learn what it is like in our surgery center when I am actually performing the procedure to get rid of the FUPA.
Understanding the Tummy Tuck
A Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin and fat in the abdomen, including the FUPA (fatty upper pubic area). It also involves repairing weakened abdominal muscles, creating a flatter, more toned midsection with core muscles that are restored to their proper position. These areas of the body are often a result of pregnancy, significant weight loss, menopause, or aging.
Key Steps to Get Rid of the FUPA in a Tummy Tuck Procedure
Belly Button Preservation
One crucial step initial step is to carefully dissect around the belly button, ensuring its blood supply remains intact. This allows us to preserve the natural appearance of your own belly button while creating a smooth contour all around it.
Muscle Repair
A key component of a successful tummy tuck is repairing the weakened abdominal muscles. This involves tightening and reinforcing the underlying musculature, often referred to as a “plication” or “muscle repair.” This step significantly improves abdominal strength and can improve your six-pack definition, too.
Skin Removal
Excess skin and fat are then carefully removed. (This is where we cut off the FUPA, or get rid of the belly pooch, aka c-section shelf). The extent of skin removal varies depending on your abdominal wall, length of your torso, and presence of scars from a c-section, hysterectomy, or abdominal or even hip surgeries.
Skin Redraping and Closure
The remaining skin is then redraped and sutured into place, creating a smoother, more contoured abdominal profile. We take the skin that used to be above your belly button and bring it down to your pubic area, to cover the area of the pooch that we removed. Now we have to anchor this skin down to your underlying abdominal wall. Keep in mind the belly button is still underneath the skin, so we need to bring it out through a literal buttonhole.
Belly Button Repositioning
The belly button is carefully repositioned in its natural anatomical location with an incision made in the newly translated skin. This incision allows us to bring the belly button out from below and secure it to the skin that we are redraping over your belly. Imagine a buttonhole on a shirt, and how you bring the button through the hole. Similarly, after we redrape your belly skin over your abdomen, we create a hole to bring your belly button through to the surface.
A Note on Technique
It’s important to emphasize that I prioritize meticulous surgical technique throughout the procedure. For example, I carefully dissect skin and subcutaneous tissue off of the abdominal muscles, ensuring minimal disruption to the blood supply and maximizing the strength of the repair. I also meticulously plan the skin excision to achieve the most natural and aesthetically pleasing results and minimize scarring.
Dr. Tannan's Perspective
My primary goal is to help patients achieve restored abdominal wall function, and improved core strength and muscle location while also improving their confidence in their bodies. By understanding the intricacies of the Tummy Tuck procedure, you can gain a better appreciation for the surgical artistry and the commitment to achieving optimal outcomes.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. If you’re interested in surgery to get rid of the FUPA around your waistline, please consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s important to discuss your specific concerns with an experienced provider and determine if you are a suitable candidate for tummy tuck surgery.
Considering Tummy Tuck surgery? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Shruti Tannan in our Raleigh, NC office.
