Editor’s Note: Dr. Sachin Shridharani, body and face expert, performs a Tummy Tuck called the TubelessTuck^SM. Here are some details to get you informed.

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What is the TubelessTuck^SM and its purpose? 

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to improve the appearance of the abdomen and flanks. This procedure is routinely in the top five most requested cosmetic surgeries year-after-year. A tummy tuck is most often performed on women who have had their abdominal skin stretched and muscles spread apart for a host of reasons: pregnancy, weight gain or after major weight loss. The skin and extra fat is removed from the stomach area and the rectus abdominis muscles are sutured/tightened during this transformative procedure. The net result is an improved, flattened tummy!

Typically, the scar is limited from hip to hip below your underwear line so that there is no visible scar when in your bikini bottom. There is going to be a faint/visible scar inside the belly button. Dr. Shridharani defines and contours your tummy as need be. Dr. Shridharani also repairs the bulge associated with abdominal muscles that have been stretched apart due to pregnancy. Some patients will need drains under their skin for a week or two. These drains will prevent fluid from building up under the skin as your body heals. Dr. Shridharani champions his signature TubelessTuck^SM NO-drain tummy tuck that does NOT require drains. This unique and innovative technique negates the use of drains and unnecessary antibiotics leading to an optimized recovery.

Why opt for this procedure versus the other options available?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of tummy tuck procedures rose an impressive 87 percent in the past 15 years. Many procedures were, no doubt, for cosmetic reasons, but there are several medical benefits to be gained after the procedure. Mostly due to the rise in “mommy makeovers,” a tummy tuck with Dr. Shridharani allows women to restore their figures after pregnancy. In addition, due to the increase in various weight loss surgery procedures, there has also been an increase in tummy tuck procedures. A tummy tuck is commonly used to help patients that have undergone extreme weight loss in a short period of time and have excess skin after their massive weight loss.

Who is a good candidate?

A good candidate is usually someone who’s lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time and has excess skin after their weight loss, male or female. For women, great candidates would be women who had children that tend to carry excess weight around their stomach and waist area. After weight loss and pregnancies, the abdominal muscles can become widened and diet and exercise alone cannot help. No matter how many sit-ups you do in the gym, the widening of abdominal muscles (called diastasis) will not improve. A tummy tuck surgically tightens weak muscles, while removing excess skin and fat, to flatten the abdomen. A tummy tuck may also be considered if you have a hernia due to abdominal wall weakness. Once you develop a hernia, reoccurrence is much more likely to happen. Often, Dr. Shridharani will recommend adding a tummy tuck in conjunction with a hernia repair to strengthen the abdominal wall and prevent future occurrences. Combining the procedures is not only safe, but very practical, as it can reduce medical expenses and recovery time.

How does the Tubeless Tuck work?

Dr. Shridharani is proud to be the first surgeon in New York to offer the TubelessTuck^SM option for plastic surgery. TubelessTuck^SM is a drainless surgical technique that Dr. Shridharani champions and has used in countless surgeries. This technique is applied to his abdominoplasty surgery (tummy tuck), mini-abdominoplasty surgery (mini tummy tuck), breast reductions, breast lifts (mastopexy), facelifts, as well as neck lifts.

The TubelessTuck^SM abdominoplasty eliminates the use of these messy and painful drains by placing a series of dissolvable sutures in the abdomen to close up the dead space and prevent the fluid build-up. Many patients say they wanted a tummy tuck for many years, but they did not want the hassle of drains. Once they heard Dr. Shridharani offers a TubelessTuck^SM, they were ready to proceed with surgery.

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What does recovery look like?

A full recovery can take several weeks, and just like any other surgery, there are risks involved. That said, the various medical and cosmetic benefits of a tummy tuck make the procedure appealing for many people. Patients typically may return to work two weeks post-surgery. Once the soreness has subsided, light activity may resume. Weightlifting may be resumed in moderation four to six weeks post-surgery. Start off using light weights, as you do not want to aggravate the scar and healing. Please do not do anything that will put excess strain on the incisions.

For more on Dr. Shridharani, visit his Haute Beauty profile.