South Ogden, Utah (UT) Liposuction, Abdominoplasty & Tummy Tuck by
Stephan L. Ralston, M.D.
Dr. Stephan Ralston Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction

Liposuction is procedure that removes fatty deposits that do not respond to exercise and dieting. It is a great way to get rid of that little bulge that you cannot seem to get rid of any other way. By inserting a slim rod and vacuuming out fat leaving the skin, muscle, nerves and blood vessels intact. 

Dr. Ralston can carefully sculpt your difficult area into a new, improved contour, changing the look of your body with almost no scarring and minimal pain.

What to Expect After Liposuction

• You'll wear a compression garment day and night for 4 weeks.
• No exercise, house work, yard work, etc for 6 weeks.
• You'll have Bruising and swelling for a period of time.
• Numbness in the areas is usually temporary but can occasionally be permanent.
• For safety reasons the amount of fat than can be removed is limited.
• This sometimes requires a second & third stage surgery.
• Smoking will increase the risk of most complications such as pneumonia, skin and tissue loss and does contribute to delayed wound healing.
• Weight gain or loss and pregnancy can alter the result.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Among the popular procedures of cosmetic surgery is the Abdominoplasty also know as a "tummy tuck." This procedure removes excess skin from the abdomen (abdominal apron). At the same time, the muscles of the abdomen are tightened and reinforced. Though is does remove some fat, it is not considered a method to reduce obesity. Incisions involved are horizontally from one hip to the other hip. Rarely tummy tuck may also involve a short vertical incision. A second incision is made around the navel. The stretch marks below the navel are most often removed. Abdominoplasty will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type. The main benefits of tummy tuck are as follows:

• Reduces excess skin resulting from previous pregnancies and weight loss.
• Abdominal muscle is tightened.
• Results in a flatter, trimmer abdomen.

What to Expect After Tummy Tuck Surgery 

Following the surgery, you will be transferred to an outpatient facility for a 23 hour interim care. You will be placed in a compression garment that you wear day and night for 4 weeks. Two Jackson Pratt drains will be placed following your surgery. These drains stay in place and are removed depending on drainage totals that you will keep track of on an 8 hour basis. Your posture will be affected for a period of time until you are able to stand straight. The navel plug will need to be removed by you at 5 days post surgery. Sutures around your navel need to be removed at 14 days post surgery. No soaking of incision site until completely healed.